2011 NCAA Conference Previews Part 10

-Southeastern Conference-

Predicted Finish

-West-

1.Alabama
-Alabama, the #2 ranked team in the country, leads the pack in the tough West division of the SEC. Winning this conference means earning a spot in the national championship and I see the Crimson Tide doing just that. They will have to break in a new quarterback but this team isn't that different from the 2009 team that won the title. The defense returns 10 starters and the offense gets back Heisman hopeful running back Trent Richardson behind 4 O-line starters from last year. The schedule is not as bad as it could be as they get both Arkansas and LSU at home in Tuscaloosa.
2.LSU
-There is uncertainty around QB Jordan Jefferson and athlete Russell Shepherd but that is not enough to keep me from picking them to finish 2nd. While I don't think they have enough offense to beat Alabama, the defense should carry them in SEC play.
3.Arkansas
-If 2010 SEC rushing leader Knile Davis was around for this season, I would have this team in the #2 spot but his season ending inury in fall camp changes things. I don't think they can win this conference but they will be a very good team who can shake things up. QB Ryan Mallett is now in the NFL, but Tyler Wilson could be a rising star with receivers like Greg Childs, Jairus Wright, and Joe Adams to throw to. The return of 8 defenders is a positive sign for this years team as well.
4.Mississippi St.
-Mississippi St. is slotted in the 4th spot but that doesn't mean this team isnt about to be really good this year. The fact that the Bulldogs are the 2oth ranked team nationally,but still not ranked as high as Alabama, LSU or Arkansas, shows how tough the SEC west will be. The offense will be in good shape led by QB Chris Relf and RB Vic Ballard and 7 other returning starters on that side of the ball. The defense should be stout with 7 players back and the schedule brings LSU and Alabama to Mississippi St.
5.Auburn
-Auburn is ranked in the preseason Top 25 but do not expect them to stay there. The defending National Champions will have a hard time competing in the SEC without players like Heisman winning QB Cam Newton and D-End Nick Fairley. The running back corps has talent but replacing 4 starters on the offensive line doesn't help. The schedule doesn't do this team any favors either as the Tigers are sent on the road to play South Carolina, Arkansas, and LSU.
6.Ole Miss
-The offensive line and running backs will be the strength of this team but it won't matter much with a new QB and only 4 starters returning to a bad defense.

-East-

1.South Carolina
-The Steve Spurrier led Gamecocks should be the favorite in the SEC East thanks to a cast of good players returning. Veteran QB Stephen Garcia returns as does star WR Alshon Jeffrey and RB Marcus Lattimore, who is coming off a stellar freshman season. If the defense can be decent, this team will finish ahead of Georgia and Florida.
2.Georgia
-This slot for Georgia has just as much to do with the team as it does the schedule. While the Bulldogs don't have a ton of talent, they benefit from avoiding games against Alabama, Arkansas and LSU and getting South Carolina at home. If returning QB Aaron Murray can play well, this team can realistically finish in the top 2 of the SEC East.
3.Florida
-The reason Florida is not higher is not only are they breaking a new coaching staff but only 10 starters total return from last years team that wasn't all that great. It will be interesting to see the impact coordinator Charlie Weiss has on QB John Brantley, RB Chris Rainey and the rest of the offense. This team does not avoid Alabama as Georgia does and they will have to play LSU and South Carolina on the road.
4.Tennessee
-The young players that went through their growing pains last season will now have the advantage of game experience on their side. QB Tyler Bray and RB Tauren Poole will be good and so will an O-line who returns 4 starters. The Vols won't yet be as good as they can be with this young talent but they will take a step in the right direction.
5.Kentucky
-2nd year Head Coach Joker Phillips loses a lot of offensive talent but he will hope the 11 defensive starters that return can carry the team early and help the Wildcats make the postseason.
6.Vanderbilt
-19 starters come back from the 2010 team but don't expect this team to move from the bottom of the SEC. The Commodores will just hope for improvement.

-Player of the Year-
RB Trent Richardson, Alabama

-Best Conference Games-
South Carolina @ Georgia, Sept 10th
LSU @ Mississippi St, Sept 15th
LSU @ Alabama, Nov 5th
Alabama @ Mississippi St, Nov 12th
Arkansas @ LSU, Nov 25th