How the 2011 SEC West Will be Won!

This is part six in a series previewing the 2011 SEC college football season.

SEC West Division Team Previews

Alabama Crimson Tide

This must have been what it was like when Bear Bryant was head coach at Alabama (1958-1982). Each year Nick Saban reloads and regardless of the fact that he’s losing a two-year starting quarterback and a Heisman Trophy winning running back, most of the country expects him to win another national championship. With 7 starters returning on offense, 8 if you count Trent Richardson, and 7 returning on defense one can start to understand the hype.

Bama is not without some major holes before everyone crowns them national champs again. They need to replace their starting LT James Carpenter, QB Greg McElroy, RB Mark Ingram, and WR Julio Jones. Saban recruits talent to Tuscaloosa like no one else but those holes are huge! Yes they have talent but its recruiting stars given from websites and practice squad talent at this point. No one doubts the ability of Trent Richardson as a change of pace back and with this offensive line he should be a 1,000 yard rusher before they meet Tennessee. Defenses will put 8 in the box until Bama can prove they can throw the ball.

If Bama is to recapture their championship form of 2009 their defensive unit can carry them. Linebackers (Dont’a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw) and secondary (Dre Kirkpatrick and Mark Barron) are amongst the best in the country. Their defensive line is young but coverage sacks should help these guys get better.

Bama’s schedule is grueling just like the rest of the SEC West and they play at Penn State, at Florida, and at MSU. If they end up 10-2 this could be one of Saban’s best coaching efforts. Bama should be in a top tier bowl, perhaps a BCS Bowl, but Arkansas, Florida, LSU, and South Carolina will have something to say about that before the season is over.

Arkansas Razorbacks

Plug in and keep on playing. This will be Bobby Petrino’s theme for Arkansas’ 2011 season. Petrino will try to keep University of Arkansas’ momentum going after last years BCS run to the Sugar Bowl; the first BCS visit for the program. Like Alabama, Arkansas has a few important holes to fill before announcing their team as the SEC champs or a BCS Bowl team, namely starting quarterback.

Arkansas may have the best and deepest skill position players of any team in the nation. Their senior wide receiving core of Greg Childs, Jarius Wright, and Joe Adams is second to none. The backfield combination of Knile Davis, Ronnie Wingo Jr., and Dennis Johnson is as good as any other in the nation as well, just without all the hype. Tyler Wilson appears to be the heir apparent to take snaps for the Hogs after the early departure of Ryan Mallett. With the amount of talent he has around him, and the three quarters of work against Auburn (332 yards passing, 4 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions), Petrino has the Razorback faithful optimistic about another BCS season. According to Scout.com Wilson is the fifth rated quarterback prospect for the 2012 NFL Draft.

The Razorbacks biggest question is who will replace their graduated tackles? Top recruit OL recruit Brey Cook enrolled early to participate in spring practice to get a jumpstart on the season. Junior college transfer Jason Peacock will be expected to fill the other tackle spot with the release of Anthony Oden from the team after his July arrest; his second in two years. If the Razorbacks can give Wilson a little time to throw but more importantly run block for Doak Walker Award watch list finalist, Knile Davis (previously won by Darren McFadden in 2006 & 2007), this Razorback team could be the dark horse team of the SEC.

The Hog’s defense finished the season ranked 36^th in total defense; this includes the 65-43 slugfest with Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Seven returning starters should make this team tough to beat at home and on the road. All-SEC DE Jake Bequette, LB Jerry Franklin, and S Tramain Thomas are poised for monster senior seasons. Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson has methodically turned Arkansas’ defense from one of the worst in the SEC to one of the best in three seasons. They have quality depth along the defensive lines but are thin at linebacker. Any injury problems to the linebackers and the Hogs could be in trouble.

Arkansas’ schedule is tough but manageable. Arkansas was in every game they played last season; that was with Ryan Mallet at quarterback though. Their two toughest games should be at Alabama and at LSU; they split those games last season. A&M will be highly ranked as will South Carolina when they arrive in Arkansas, a team Arkansas has beaten 7 times in the past 10 years. If the Hogs split their four toughest games they should be in the running for a shot at the SEC Championship Game and a possible BCS berth. But the Hogs could end up 8-4, a disastrous 2011 season for Razorback fans but a great season in the Houston Nutt days.

Auburn Tigers/War Eagles

Auburn’s head coach Gene Chizik will find out how good of a coach he really is during the 2011 season. Auburn is completely depleted of starting talent; they only return two starters on offense, and three on defense. Chizik’s best strategy may be to let Gus Malzahn run every gimmick play he has in the play book.

Auburn’s brightest offensive point, other than Malzahn, is returning true sophomore Michael Dyer. Dyer averaged over 6 yards a carry in 2010 on his way to amassing 1,093 rushing yards; an Auburn freshman rushing record. The other returning player is right tackle Brandon Mosely. Every other position is up for grabs during August practices. With the incoming flux of freshman and all the redshirt freshmen from 2010’s recruiting class, this should be a wild year for the Tiger faithful. Look for Kiehl Frazier to make a couple of starts after the LSU game unless the Tigers choose to get ready for 2012 before then.

DT Nosa Eguae will be the focal point of all opposing teams until other Auburn players start to step up. Eguae will receive more double and triple team hits than a WWE wrestler over the season and his production could lag because of it. Look for teams to test the War Eagles’ secondary early and often and grind out their young linebackers and defensive linemen until they break in the fourth quarter.

All the teams that were upset by Auburn’s run last year can take their shots this year. Auburn has a six game stretch starting in October that could yield only one victory; at South Carolina, at Arkansas, versus Florida, at LSU, vs. Mississippi, at Georgia. They get MSU at home, at Clemson, at Georgia, and the Iron Bowl at home.

Auburn may have the same element of surprise in their favor as last year. No credible person expected Auburn to ride Cam Newton’s abilities all the way to a national championship last season. Nick Fairley came out of no where with the help of former defensive line coach Tracy Rocker. Is there enough magic left from the 2010 season to make a bowl run? Or is there too much talent gone mixed with a championship hangover for the coaching staff to deal with? Tiger fans will have to remember yester year for football smiles and play their Sports Illustrated commemorative DVDs to make up for this year’s heartache. Look for Auburn to set up shop this year for another run next year.

Louisiana State University Tigers 

Les Miles wins 10 games every year and personally loses a couple every year as well. There’s a lot of preseason hype surrounding LSU even though they have more holes to fill than Alabama and Arkansas combined. Will new offensive coordinator Steve Kragthrope be able to ignite a LSU offense that ranked 86^th in the nation last year? Will a talented but inexperienced defense be able to dominate opposing offenses again (ranked 12^th in total defense in 2010)? Miles is placing his trust, again, in third year starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson and Kragthrope to bring home the crystal trophy for the Tiger faithful. Let the games begin!

The difference between LSU winning their third BCS Championship in 8 years or being just another great defensive team, centers on how well the offense performs. Jefferson must feel the weight of college football on his shoulders, and if he doesn’t someone please inform him of this monumental moment in time.

LSU has eight returning starters on offense but questions along the offensive line remain. Mainly who will start at left tackle, sophomore Chris Faulk or incoming freshman Le’El Collins? Stevan Ridley’s 1,411 yards will be missed but Spencer Ware seems ready for the touches; he had a 100 yard game against A&M in the Cotton Bowl. Incoming freshman Kenny Hilliard could push for playing time as well. LSU has talented receivers at the ready but who will be their breakout player?

Depth and talent are all over the defensive side of the ball. Seven starters return but some of those starters may be beat out by underclassmen; that’s depth. MLB Melvin Sheppard will be hard to replace but, again, LSU has talent everywhere and sophomore Kevin Minters is talented enough to do it. Corners Morris Claiborne and Tyrann Mathieu should allow a younger defensive line to get some coverage sacks. Not much changes here except the names and numbers on the jerseys. If LSU’s offense produces this defense could be even better than advertised.

Miles didn’t do himself any favors with his non-conference schedule. LSU, like Georgia, can set an early tone for the season and all other college football teams if he can beat Oregon in week one in Arlington. Back to back games on the road against Mississippi State and West Virginia will test the offense and show football fans if LSU means business this year. LSU has to go on the road to face Alabama but they get a bye week before that pivotal SEC matchup. Tennessee could be a trap game for LSU if they let their guard down. Tough games against Arkansas, Florida, and Auburn are all at home.

Recruiting talented players to Death Valley has never been a problem for Miles and his staff. Getting the most from those talented players is another issue for the Fighting Tiger’s fans. The loss of Patrick Peterson will be the toughest to overcome. He won two games by himself last year, maybe more depending on your viewpoint (vs. UNC 257 return yards, 60 yard punt return vs. West Virginia). He was a lockdown corner and their punt and kickoff returner. They have talented players that can do both but not as well as he did it.

If Jefferson stumbles out of the gate, look for former Georgia recruit, now a transfer from Butler, Kansas Community College, to step in and see what he can do with the offense. Jefferson will dictate if LSU is an 8-4 team or a BCS team.

Mississippi State Bulldogs

Dan Mullen has taken a program that only won 3 games in 2006 and in two years had them knocking on the door of a 10-win season in 2010. Mullen has a great mix of talent coming back on both sides of the ball and a senior quarterback to lead the way. The cowbells will be ringing in Starkville this year and for good reasons.

Quarterback Chris Relf may not set the world on fire with his stats but he plays smart and keeps the chains moving (13 TD passes, 6 INT, 713 yards rushing). Relf will miss the security LT Derek Sherrod provided last year but he’s blessed with all the skill position players returning. If MSU can find a serviceable replacement for Sherrod this team could be tough to beat; keep in mind, that’s a really big if. Even with two new starters on the offensive line, Vick Ballard should improve upon his 968 yards rushing during last season. If he improves upon his 19 rushing touchdowns, this team may be in the SEC Title Game.

MSU has seven returning starters on defense which is the good news. The bad news is none of them are linebackers. Hard to stop the run and cover tight ends in the SEC without some good linebackers. MSU will spend August pushing, motivating, and developing a trio of linebackers to take on tough SEC West runners. Their defensive was a middle of the road unit last year. Geoff Collins was brought in from Florida International to improve those numbers. Collins has quality linemen in Fletcher Cox and Josh Boyd up front and bell ringer Charles Mitchell at safety. With a lot of the flash gone from last year’s SEC quarterbacks, MSU will have to put an extra emphasis on having their linebackers ready to stop the run or every 4^th quarter could be an ugly time for MSU this year.

Mississippi State is an enigma wrapped in a SEC riddle. Will Mullen keep improving the play at MSU or have the Bulldogs topped out? Their non-conference schedule is really weak, so a bowl game is a definite. How well they perform in SEC play is the reason for all the insomnia in Bulldog land. The schedule shines on them, all things considered, this year. True they have to play at Georgia but they get USC at home and miss playing Florida. They play at Auburn early in the year when leadership and roles may still be undefined for the Tigers. LSU, Alabama, and Ole Miss all have to visit Davis Wade Stadium. Their toughest game on the road is against Arkansas which could prove to be another make or break SEC Title Game moment.

Mississippi State should be no worse than an 8-4 team going into their bowl season. If MSU can win 3 of their 5 big games they will shake up the SEC and make a bid for a SEC Title Game berth. If MSU has any problems they may turn the keys of the offense over to incoming freshman quarterback Dak Prescott to get a jumpstart on next year.

Ole Miss Rebels/Rebel Black Bears

Ole Miss may be in big trouble in 2011. No head coach, not under NCAA investigation, is feeling the pressure in college football more than Houston Nutt and his staff. After back to back 9 win seasons in Nutt’s first two seasons at Oxford, Ole Miss fans were crushed when 2010 ended with a 4-8 record. Expectations had gone through the roof as fans thought the program’s savior had arrived. A preseason Heisman Trophy candidate in 2009 with Jevan Snead ended abruptly and talented Oregon transfer QB Jeremiah Masoli went nowhere in 2010, fans are now unsure what the future holds.

The one shining point for the Rebels on offense is their offensive line. Four starters return and Matt Hall, starter at right guard during spring practices, will be a beast for offensive line coach Mike Markuson. Houston Nutt is known to grind out games with his offensive line and running attack; keep the score close, wear out the other team’s defense, then run all over them in the 4^th quarter. Look for a whole lot of off-tackle right and off-tackle left throughout 2011 in Oxford, until they find a playmaker at quarterback. 5’ 11” Randall Mackey won the starting quarterback job in the spring but Barry Brunetti is rumored to be the favorite going into August two-a-day practices. Mackey’s ability to run should help keep the offense on the field and give the defense a breather. Look for defenses to stack 8 in the box and beg Mackey to beat them with his arm. Brandon Bolden will get plenty of chances to improve upon his 976 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns he earned in 2010.

In 2010 Mississippi’s defense was 107^th in scoring defense and 103^rd in passing defense… the good thing is only 3 returning starters are back from last years squad (SLB Joel Knight, CB Marcus Temple, and FS Damien Jackson). The bad thing is 8 positions are up for grabs with little to no SEC experience. Nutt has signed back to back top 25 recruiting classes and may use this season as an effective tool to get players ready for 2012, if the fans let him.

The only break Ole Miss gets this season with the schedule is location. The Rebels play host to BYU, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, and LSU. If new offensive coordinator David Lee can find some playmakers Ole Miss might be able to outscore a few teams on their schedule. The only problem is its really tough to win on the road in the SEC and all of Ole Miss’ swing games are on the road; at Vanderbilt, at Auburn, at Kentucky, at Mississippi State.

Despite the lack of veteran SEC players on this year’s team, Nutt can sell the future and hope for a few close wins to keep the fans happy. Nutt plays the field position game like he wrote the book and he will not let David Lee put his team in the hole with high risk passing routes. Going 3 and out put pinning the opposition back on their end of the field is the way Nutt likes it. Lee developed the Wild Hog for Darren McFadden while at Arkansas, and until a team learns how to stop it, expect Ole Miss to run it as soon as they get off the team bus and they won’t stop until it’s time to shower.

Arkansas fans learned the mantra “wait until next year” during Nutt’s time coaching the Razorbacks. Nutt is either a couple of big plays away from having a great year or he’s in the midst of a two year ramp-up of back to back 4 or 5 win seasons before getting back to a 8 or 9 win level for a year or two. Let’s see how fast Ole Miss fans learn the Houston Nutt mantra, “wait until next year”. 

Predicted Order of Finish

SEC East

Team/SEC Record/Overall Record

South Carolina 6-2, 10-2

Florida 6-2, 9-3

Georgia 5-3, 9-3

Kentucky 4-4, 8-4

Tennessee 2-6, 6-6

Vanderbilt 1-7, 5-7

SEC West

Team/SEC Record/Overall Record

Arkansas 7-1, 11-1

Alabama 6-2, 10-2

LSU 6-2, 10-2

MSU 5-3, 9-3

Auburn 1-7, 4-8

Ole Miss 0-8, 2-10

SEC Championship Game

Arkansas Razorbacks vs. South Carolina Gamecocks

Final Score

31-17

SEC Champion

Arkansas Razorbacks

The SEC Championship Game will be held December 3, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. CBS will televise the game starting at 4:00 p.m. EST. 

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2011 SEC College Football Preview: Overview of the SEC East

This is part five in a series previewing the 2011 SEC college football season. 

Eastern Division Team Previews

Florida Gators

The Gators may be one of the more perplexing teams in all of college football going into the 2011 season. Between Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyers’ time in Gainesville (sorry Ron Zook), the Florida Gators have been built into a brand name with lots of recognition and high expectations nationally. With a new coach, new offensive coordinator, and a new defensive coordinator, the fact that Florida has 6 returning starters on offense, including senior quarterback John Brantley, and 3 returning starters on defense can be thrown out the window. Do we gage UF on Texas’ poor defense last season, Charlie Weis’ poor offenses at Notre Dame, or the quality of recruits Urban Meyer left for Will Muschamp from an 8-5 2010 team? Will the players rally around their new coach? Time will tell.

Florida only has two starting offensive lineman returning and a new system to learn, there will be some growing pains; 23 seniors gone from last year’s team. The defense may be turned loose but they are still very young and they will take some heavy lumps along the way. Talent, a new coach and system, plus a really tough schedule should make Florida a year away, or two, from getting back to their 10 win seasons.

The Gators have a couple of swing games that could make their season or break it; at Kentucky, versus Alabama, at LSU, vs. Georgia, at South Carolina, vs. Florida State. If the Gators start to slide look for true freshman Jeff Driskel to get a head start on 2012.

Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia may have the best quarterback in the SEC but who’s going to catch the ball or run the ball? A.J. Green and Kris Durham are gone. Their offensive line is a make shift bunch with only two returning linemen. Mark Richt is hoping prized recruit, running back Isaiah Crowell, can be Marcus Lattimore “like” this season and open up opportunities for Murray downfield. RBs Washaun Ealey transferred out and Caleb King failed to qualify academically. Richard Samuel a running back turned linebacker and back to running back will get some looks. RB Carlton Thomas is suspended for the first game versus Boise State. Any preseason injury or an injury to Isaiah Crowell and the Bulldogs season could be essentially over. Murray will win them some games with his arm but if you can’t run the ball in the SEC you can’t win.

The Bulldogs have plenty of talent on the defensive side of the ball with 7 starters coming back and underclassmen pushing those starters for playing time and their positions. Their secondary should be good enough to help the younger D-linemen and linebackers put pressure on opposing QBs.

Coming off their first losing season (6-7) since 1996, Mark Richt has no choice but to win this season or else. His average of 8 wins per season over the past five years is not enough for the Athens faithful. Richt has not taken the Bulldogs to the SEC Title Game since 2005 when he went 3 times out of the previous 4 years.

Their 2011 road schedule is soft; two toughest games should be at Tennessee and Florida in Jacksonville. They avoid playing Arkansas, LSU, and Alabama. The promise of Murray as a junior may not be enough for Richt’s coaching prospects in Athens if Georgia settles for another 8-4 regular season. The Bulldogs can make a statement in week one at home against Boise State. If that game turns into a bad loss… watch out!

The Bulldogs swing games are versus Boise State, vs. Mississippi State and at Tennessee.

Kentucky Wildcats

Joker Phillips had about as good of a first year at Kentucky as anyone could have hoped. The Wildcats played tough last year and were in every game they played; Florida and Pittsburgh got a little out of hand. They shocked South Carolina and gave eventual national champs, Auburn, a run for their money (37-34).

QB Mike Hartline, WR Randall Cobb, and RB Derrick Locke are gone and will be tough to replace. UK has 4 returning linemen which should help Morgan Newton find his way under center. If UK does not have a running back take control of their ground game this could be a long second season for Mr. Phillips. Look for incoming freshmen running backs Marcus Caffey and Josh Clemons to get plenty of opportunities to earn the starting position and show what they can do.

If a couple of defensive lineman can make an impact, this defense can win UK some games. Seven total starters return including 2 linebackers and the entire secondary. Co-defensive coordinator Rick Minter should be very aggressive with this group and cause turnovers and extra opportunities for the Wildcats. Linebacker Danny Trevathan is a beast and should be a great person for Minter to build around. Turning on a UK game to watch Trevathan play will be time well spent.

Kentucky has a tough SEC schedule; at LSU, at South Carolina, at Georgia. They get the Gators, Tennessee, and MSU at home. Those games should be considered trap games for the visiting teams. Their non-conference schedule should put them in position to make a bowl this year. The real question is can/could anyone not named Meyer, Saban, or God recruit at Kentucky?

South Carolina Gamecocks

Last year Steve Spurrier took advantage of the most talented freshman running back to enter the SEC since Darren McFadden was in the backfield for Arkansas… that and a weak SEC East Division. Spurrier has one mission this season, keep QB Stephen Garcia from self imploding. The final outcome of that mission will be if USC makes their second straight SEC Title Game.

The Gamecocks have a ton of talent returning, especially at their skill positions. All a novice needs to know about USC football before tailgating or a Saturday BBQ in Columbia is RB Marcus Lattimore and WR Alshon Jeffery. Saying you love those two guys will get you a cold one and a couple of new friends. Lattimore has three returning lineman who will try to pave the way for another 1,000 season for him. Who will start at LG and RT is the biggest question the Gamecock faithful have going into 2011.

Ellis Johnson is making USC’s defense into a title contending unit. Devin Taylor and true freshman Jadeveon Clowney should spend as much time in the opposition’s backfield as the head referee. Senior DT Travian Robertson will anchor the Gamecock line and give the 3 returning secondary players time to shut down opposing receivers.

Why Spurrier has not been able to develop a quarterback into an All-American is a question for the ages. In Spurrier’s first three years at USC he seemed to lack the recruiting fire or edge he once had while in Gainesville. Over the past three years he has added great talent, seemingly regained some of that fire, and the time has come to cash in on his efforts.

South Carolina has some swing games before anointing them the SEC East Champs; at Georgia, at MSU, and at Arkansas. Beating Florida last year at the Swamp had to be a relief for Spurrier. He should be able to do the same again this year at home. If USC can stay consistent and not have a let down game after a big win like last year (beating Alabama then losing to UK), this is your SEC East Champs. If Spurrier overruns Lattimore again like he did early last year, this could be a better than average year in Columbia but a true disappointment for the fans.

Tennessee Volunteers

Derek Dooley got every bit of effort out of his team in his first year in Knoxville. A four game winning streak at the end of the season could be the main motivator for this year’s team. Tennessee is still young and if they keep improving the balance of power could swing back to the SEC East next season.

Will Tyler Bray or Matt Simms win the starting quarterback position? Bray went 4-1 against weaker teams but still almost throw for 2,000 yards in those 5 games; impressive. What could he do with an entire year under center? Whoever is taking snaps will have to learn to play without WR Denarius Moore and WR Gerald Jones. Tauren Poole should be able to increase his 1,034 yard season in 2010 with three returning offensive linemen in front of him.

Defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox will have his hands full this season. Wilcox has five returning starters on defense and a bunch of underclassmen fighting for playing time. His unit played really well in the second half of the season; having an offense eat up time instead of going three and out sure helped.

Dooley gets no help from the schedule this season. His team may improve but the record will be hard to show it. His biggest coaching job may be to keep his players playing tough and staying motivated through October, similar to last season. They play versus Georgia, vs. LSU, at Alabama, vs. South Carolina and then on the road to Fayetteville, Arkansas in November. The sliver lining is three of those games are at home. The bad thing is four of those teams should be in the top 10 at some point during the season.

Vanderbilt Commodores

James Franklin could be in the cat bird seat or he really has his work cut out for him; time will tell. He inherits a 2-10 team, 1-7 in the SEC, during the 2010 season but he has 18 total starters returning. If he can make an impact with his team this could be one of the most overlooked trap games in the SEC. The problem for the Commodores is they basically play every tough team in the conference except for LSU and MSU.

Vanderbilt may be a year away from making some real noise. Their entire offensive line returns and all but one are underclassmen. They have a top quarterback recruit to break in to replace senior starter Larry Smith; Lafonte Thourgood.

If this defensive unit can stay healthy, they could win a game or two at home that everyone expects them to lose. They have a stud middle linebacker in Chris Marve and three players returning in their secondary. The defensive line will have to help stop the run or this could be a repeat season from last year. Vandy’s rush defense was ranked 100^th nationally in 2010 and 93^rd in overall team defense. A jump 40-50 spots north and this team will make a lot of noise.

In truth if Franklin wins all of his non-conference games and leads Vandy to victory over Ole Miss, this will be a pretty good season. Kentucky could be a home swing game for them. 

Predicted Order of Finish

SEC East

Team/SEC Record/Overall Record

South Carolina 6-2, 10-2

Florida 6-2, 9-3

Georgia 5-3, 9-3

Kentucky 4-4, 8-4

Tennessee 2-6, 6-6

Vanderbilt 1-7, 5-7

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Team Overviews of the SEC Intra-Conference Schedules

This is part four of a series previewing the 2011 SEC college football season. 

SEC East Schedule Overview

The SEC East was the weaker division intra-conference during the 2010 season and South Carolina took advantage of the opportunity. The Gamecocks had big wins at home versus Georgia, Alabama, and at Florida but lost handedly to Auburn on the road, Arkansas at home, and a close one on the road to the Wildcats (let down game). This year Georgia should be better with sophomore Aaron Murray under center again. Florida is the wild card team. How will the immensely talented Gators respond to their new head coach and new offensive philosophy? Were the last 5 games of Tennessee’s 2010 schedule a preview of things to come or a lucky break in their schedule? South Carolina has a lot of offensive weapons; can they be stopped? It looks like 2011 is a repeat of last year in the SEC East.

Individual Team Overviews

Florida Gators (2010 record 8-5, 4-4 SEC)

Will Muschamp gets his first SEC action against Tennessee September 17^th, but his first real SEC test will be on the road against Joker Phillips and the Kentucky Wildcats. This game should prove to be a good measuring stick for both teams. After Kentucky, Florida is at home versus Alabama, at LSU, at Auburn, bye week, and then Georgia in Jacksonville. Welcome back to the SEC Mr. Muschamp. If Florida had one more tough non-conference or conference game their schedule would be as demanding as LSU’s.

Georgia Bulldogs (2010 record 6-7, 3-5 SEC)

The Dawgs better be ready right out of the gate. They have Boise State in week one and then the Gamecocks in week two. Their national title hopes and SEC title hopes could be in serious trouble before they make it to their third game against Coastal Carolina (September 17). The Coastal Carolina game could be the break Georgia needs to figure out what has gone wrong or a “let’s rest up and get ready for the rest of the season” game. If Georgia splits their first two games, they could still be on track for a great season and top tier bowl. With nine weeks left in the season anything is possible. They get Florida in Jacksonville at the end of October, after their bye week, and they do not have to play Arkansas, Alabama, or LSU this year.

Kentucky Wildcats (2010 record 6-7, 2-6 SEC)

Kentucky should be bowling around New Year’s Day again in 2011. They have a tough stretch at the end of September into October; vs. Florida, at LSU, at South Carolina. Going 1-2 in that stretch would be a coup of sorts for UK as they had a three game losing streak around the same time last year (at Florida, at Ole Miss, vs. Auburn). Kentucky has an opportunity to win tough games at home versus Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Tennessee. If Mr. Phillips can get two late season road wins against Vanderbilt and Georgia, the Wildcats could sway some die hard UK basketball fans into Commonwealth Stadium for a raucous SEC finale vs. Tennessee. They should pad their win total this year and improve on the 6-7 record, 2-6 in the SEC, they had last season.

South Carolina Gamecocks (2010 record 9-5, 5-3 SEC)

South Carolina has a middle of the road SEC schedule. They’re at Georgia, at MSU, and at Arkansas. They get Florida and Clemson at home. The Gamecocks could be 8-0 before their third straight road trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas November 5. Their bye week comes between the MSU and Tennessee games. South Carolina does not play Alabama or LSU this year. The Gamecock’s schedule lines up for a great run in 2011.

Tennessee Volunteers (2010 record 6-7, 3-5 SEC)

Tennessee needs to have a weak conference schedule if they hope to make a bowl game this year. They get a bye after Florida (September 17), then they play vs. Buffalo, vs. Georgia, vs. LSU, at Alabama, vs. South Carolina, and at Arkansas (November 12). Tough year for a proud program and second year coach Derek Dooley trying to turn the Vols program around. Tennessee should be one of the scrappier teams in the SEC. Trap game for every team in the SEC. 

Vanderbilt Commodores (2010 record 2-10, 1-7 SEC)

The litmus test for new coach James Franklin will come September 17^th when Ole Miss comes to town. Vandy has owned Ole Miss over the last four years (3-1), especially since Houston Nutt arrived at Oxford, and this could be their best and only chance for a win in conference this season; and this is not a slight to Vanderbilt, the players, or Mr. Franklin. The Commodores have a five game SEC stretch that includes South Carolina at home, at Alabama, vs. Georgia, vs. Arkansas, and at Florida. If Franklin has things going his way the last three games of the season could put the Commodores in a bowl game; vs. Kentucky, at Tennessee, at Wake Forest.

SEC West

Holes to fill and questions left unanswered, that’s how to sum up the SEC West during the preseason. The SEC West is full of talent, hype, and promise. Arkansas, Alabama, and LSU all have great defenses returning but serious question marks at prominent positions on offense. Mississippi State should improve upon their 2010 season and make life tough for every other team in the SEC. Auburn has lost a lot of talent off their 2010 BCS Championship team but with Gus Malzahn running the offense and the previous recruiting efforts of Gene Chizik and staff, Tiger fans expect to reload not rebuild. Ole Miss has a tough haul in 2011 and could be the poster child for being left behind in a hurry. The SEC West has 5 teams that should spend time in the AP Top 25, 3 in the top 10. The West side of the conference proves to be the toughest division in college football.

Alabama Crimson Tide (2010 record 10-3, 5-3 SEC)

Alabama has a pretty easy SEC schedule (remember SEC schedule!). Bama gets Arkansas and LSU at home. Their toughest road games should be a trip to the Swamp and a November trip to MSU. Bama does not have to play South Carolina, whom they lost to last year 35-21 or Georgia. If Bama wins two of their three toughest games (Arkansas, LSU, and Florida) they should be in line for a SEC Title Game appearance which would be their third in four seasons.

Arkansas Razorbacks (2010 record 10-3, 6-2)

Arkansas has two tough road games with Bama and LSU, the later being another Arkansas/LSU game with the winner going to the SEC Title Game. The schedule shines on the Hogs as they drop Georgia, pick up an upstart Tennessee team and don’t have to face the Florida Gators. With home games against South Carolina, a team they beat at South Carolina 41-20 last year, and MSU, a 38-31 double overtime win in Starkville, Arkansas could have an easier road to the SEC Title Game than their conference foes.

Auburn Tigers/War Eagles (2010 record 14-0, 8-0 SEC)

Auburn may have the toughest six straight games of any team in college football. October 1^st starts the run of games at South Carolina, at Arkansas, vs. Florida, at LSU, Ole Miss, and then at Georgia. The Tigers’ early games include home versus MSU, at Clemson, and their season finale is the Iron Bowl at home versus in-state rival Alabama; a series that Auburn has dominated 8 wins to 3 losses since 2000. What can anyone say to Auburn and their fans but good luck?

Louisiana State University Tigers (2010 record 11-2, 6-2 SEC)

LSU arguably has the toughest schedule in college football. The silver lining is breaks come their way with only two tough in-conference road games; at MSU and at Alabama; their other SEC road games are against Tennessee and Ole Miss. Home games versus Kentucky, Florida, Auburn, and Arkansas will make their schedule easier to manage. LSU’s only back to back demanding games are against Mississippi State and West Virginia, both on the road. Not having South Carolina or Georgia on the schedule helps as well. The Tigers have a demanding schedule but everything lines up for another possible run to the SEC Championship game.

Mississippi State Bulldogs (2010 record 9-4, 4-4 SEC)

Mississippi State has a lackluster non-conference schedule which could hurt them come bowl time. They have two tough road games, at Georgia and at Arkansas and they get LSU, South Carolina, Alabama, and in-state rival Ole Miss at home. MSU’s final three games against Alabama, Arkansas, and Ole Miss could make or break their season. Mullen recruits for his scheme not stars, and hopefully he has acquired quality depth for his 2011 team. In 2010 they finished 9-4, 4-4 in the SEC. If MSU can finish their six toughest games above .500 they will improve upon their 2010 season.

Mississippi Rebels/Black Bear Rebels (2010 record 4-8, 1-7)

If Ole Miss can turn around their 4-8, 1-7 SEC, 2010 season this schedule will do it for them. Ole Miss gets Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, and LSU at home. Their tough road games could be every road game if Houston Nutt and company start the season with a loss to BYU like they did last year to Jacksonville State. Ole Miss’ SEC road schedule includes Vanderbilt, Auburn, Kentucky, and Egg Bowl rival Mississippi State. They miss SEC East heavyweights South Carolina and Florida this year. Nutt needs to win this year because their road schedule will be killer in 2012.

The SEC Championship Game will be held December 3, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. CBS will televise the game starting at 4:00 p.m. EST.

Predicted Order of Finish

SEC East

Team/SEC Record/Overall Record

South Carolina 6-2, 10-2

Florida 6-2, 9-3

Georgia 5-3, 9-3

Kentucky 4-4, 8-4

Tennessee 2-6, 6-6

Vanderbilt 1-7, 5-7

SEC West

Team/SEC Record/Overall Record

Arkansas 7-1, 11-1

Alabama 6-2, 10-2

LSU 6-2, 10-2

MSU 5-3, 9-3

Auburn 1-7, 4-8

Ole Miss 0-8, 2-10

SEC Championship Game

Arkansas Razorbacks vs. South Carolina Gamecocks

Final Score

31-28

SEC Champion

Arkansas Razorbacks

The SEC Championship Game will be held December 3, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. CBS will televise the game starting at 4:00 p.m. EST. 

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2011 SEC College Football Preview - In-Conference Games

SEC In-Conference Race Changers

When the SEC reformed their conference in 1992 by adding Arkansas and South Carolina, the powerhouse teams were in the SEC East division for the first 11 years. The East won 8 of the first 11 SEC Title Games, five of those games won by Florida in seven appearances. Since 2003, the West has taken 5 out of 8 titles in the SEC. The importance of the SEC Title Game on a national level usually has National Championship implications. Since 1992 the SEC has won or split nine NCAA or BCS National Championships. The SEC has won five straight BCS Titles; Florida, LSU, Florida, Alabama, and Auburn.

This year appears to be another win for a SEC West team in the SEC Title Game but which team? Some of these games will give bragging rights and decide recruiting battles while others will map out a team of destiny or just another top tier bowl game. The rest will heat up a coach’s hot seat or cool it off.

Teams/Date/Site (off-campus location)

South Carolina at Georgia, September 10

LSU at Mississippi State, September 15

Ole Miss at Vanderbilt, September 17

Arkansas at Alabama, September 24

Florida at Kentucky, September 24

Mississippi State at Auburn, September 10

Alabama at Florida, October 1

Florida at LSU, October 8

Georgia vs. Florida, October 24, in Jacksonville, Florida

LSU at Alabama, November 5

South Carolina at Arkansas, November 5

Florida at South Carolina, November 12

Arkansas at LSU, November 25

Either South Carolina or Georgia will be playing following the leader in the SEC East after this week two showdown.

MSU is either lucky or unlucky that Northwestern State plays LSU in week two after LSU plays Oregon in week one; this depends if LSU wins or loses. If LSU can’t find their offense in week one, LSU could be in trouble by week three in Starkville. A MSU upset could shake up the SEC West race.

Puzzling to have Ole Miss and Vanderbilt amongst the most important games in the SEC this year but this game means a lot to both schools. If Vanderbilt wins, Franklin’s hire looks good for now. On the flip side, an Ole Miss loss could mean the end of the line for Houston Nutt in Oxford. If Nutt loses to Vanderbilt and then to MSU in the Egg Bowl (November 26), you can bet the rumblings for Nutt to get his walking papers will become chants before the Rebels, General Ackbars, or Rebel Black Bears are done showering.

Arkansas, Alabama, and LSU are the cream of the crop SEC teams this season. When any of those three teams play each other everything in the SEC West is on the line. South Carolina deserves to be mentioned but they are not scheduled to play LSU or Alabama during the regular season.

Mississippi State will get a chance in week two to show how far along they have come under Dan Mullen or to show how far Auburn has fallen with the loss of all their talent from last years BCS Championship team. Wherever your team loyalty lies will influence your take on the outcome of this one.

Florida gets back to back shots at Alabama and LSU to shake up the West. If Florida can split those games that could make for an interesting break for the winning SEC West team, Arkansas, and possibly MSU. Georgia and South Carolina will be watching the scoreboard to see who wins those games.

How many big games does Florida have this year… five; Bama, LSU, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida State. The outcome of those games will have an impact on who will play in the SEC Title Game, BCS Bowl berths, and who could play in the BCS Championship Game.

Arkansas vs. LSU has quietly become one of the best SEC rivalry games and one of the best throughout college football. Since 2005 Arkansas and LSU have split their series 3-3. 21 total points separates the winning team from the losing team with Arkansas having the largest winning margin, winning by 8 points in 2010 in Little Rock, Arkansas. That’s a 3.5 average margin of victory between the two schools. This year’s winner not only receives the Golden Boot Trophy but should end up in the SEC Title Game. Thankfully CBS put this game back on the schedule the Friday after Thanksgiving before a college football hungry crowd. 

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2011 SEC College Football Preview

This is part two of a series previewing the 2011 SEC college football season.

SEC Non-Conference Games

One of the only knocks against the SEC, by college football fans outside the SEC and most of the national media members, has been the easy non-conference schedules their teams play. The last few years the SEC has taken the rest of the country head-on and they do so again in 2011.

Kudos to LSU and their staff, regardless of how the season turns out, on paper they have the toughest schedule of any NCAA team. If they make it to any title game SEC, BCS, or the Pee-Wee League Championship Game they will have earned it. They play Oregon on a neutral site and at West Virginia. Ole Miss didn’t carve out an easy non-conference schedule either. They play BYU at home and Fresno State on the road. Georgia plays Boise State at home and in-state rival Georgia Tech on the road. Even when Georgia has not played well in the SEC, they still take care of business against the Yellow Jackets.

What conference are you in again?

University of Alabama-Birmingham (Conference USA) plays Mississippi State and Florida this year while Clemson (Atlantic Coast Conference) plays South Carolina and Auburn.

SEC Non-Conference Schedule

SEC Team/Opponent/Date/Site (off-campus location)

*Boise State at Georgia, September 3, in Atlanta, Georgia

BYU at Ole Miss, September 3

*Oregon vs. LSU, September 3, in Arlington, Texas

*Alabama at Penn State, September 10

University of Connecticut vs. Vanderbilt, September 10

Auburn at Clemson, September 17

Louisville at Kentucky, September 17

LSU at West Virginia, September 24

Vanderbilt at Wake Forest, September 26

*Arkansas vs. Texas A&M, October 1, in Arlington, Texas

Ole Miss at Fresno State, October 1

*Florida State vs. Florida, November 26

* DVR’em if you can’t watch live

LSU vs. Oregon and Boise State vs. Georgia could set the pace for all end of the season BCS games in week one. LSU and Oregon have legitimate shots at playing for a national title and whoever wins could be in the BCS National Championship driver’s seat for the rest of the season.

If Boise State beats Georgia, they will use the Georgia and TCU game as reasons for a chance to play in the BCS National Championship game. Boise State makes the jump to the Mountain West this season, the good thing about this for college football fans is no more horrible BCS matchups featuring Boise State against TCU; the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl (2010). The bad news is only one of the two may get a BCS game from here on out. That should make for an intense conference rivalry from day one for those two schools.

Florida State vs. Florida could have several implications come the end of November. If Muschamp and company can reverse the mediocre play of last years Gators squad they could be an outside shot at the SEC Title game in Atlanta. Winning that game could put them in a BCS Bowl. If Florida were to beat Florida State that could give them an outside shot at a BCS National Championship game; it could happen.

Chances are this game will mean more to UF for recruiting and a higher second tier bowl than a National Championship Game or even a BCS Bowl berth. If Florida State has taken care of business against Oklahoma at home (September 17) this could be the last bump in the road before FSU reclaims their glory days and plays in the BCS Championship Game.

Who Do They Play?

Mississippi State and Tennessee lay eggs with their non-conference schedule. Tennessee plays a Cincinnati team that “hopes” to turn things around in 2011; they were 4-8 in 2010. But if Cincinnati comes up short in 2011, neither Tennessee nor Mississippi State will play a bowl team from last year or a potential bowl team from this year in non-conference play. At least MSU goes on the road twice (got to find a silver lining here).

Mississippi State

September 1 – at Memphis

September 24 – Louisiana Tech

October 8 – at UAB

November 5 – Tennessee-Martin

Tennessee

September 3 – Montana

September 10 – Cincinnati

October 1 – Buffalo

November 5 – Middle Tennessee

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