SEC breakdown from HSV Times

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SEC breakdown

Sunday, August 28, 2005

By JOHN PRUETT

Times Sports Editor johnp@htimes.com

Western Division

LSU 

Pros: The Tigers have many potential all-stars - RBs Joseph Addai and Justin Vincent, OT Andrew Whitworth, DT Kyle Williams and WR Skyler Green.

Cons: Replacements must be found for DE Marcus Spears, LB Lionel Turner and two star CBs, Travis Daniels and Corey Webster.

Speak up: The only real question on the LSU depth chart is at quarterback. JaMarcus Russell, was the most highly regarded player in Alabama as a high school senior, but was inconsistent last year as a redshirt freshman. Freshman Ryan Perrilloux? "I could definitely be a Heisman winner next year, or at least a contender,'' he said on signing day.

Final say: LSU's 2005 schedule is highly favorable for a championship run. The Tigers' three toughest opponents - Tennessee, Florida and Auburn - must come to Baton Rouge. Predicted finish: 10-2 overall, first in SEC West at 7-1, loses in rematch against Tennessee in SEC Championship Game.

Auburn 

Pros: There's nothing like going 13-0 to bolster a football program's self-image.

Cons: The biggest question is, can skinny left-handed sophomore QB Brandon Cox fill the void left by last year's SEC MVP, Jason Campbell, now with the NFL's Redskins?

Speak up: Backs Tre Smith, Carl Stewart and Kenny Irons must step in for Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown.

Final say: If Auburn opens with a win over Georgia Tech, it would set up a probable 5-0 start before the first road trips, back-to-back games at Arkansas and LSU. Predicted finish: 9-2 overall and second in the SEC West at 6-2.

Alabama 

Pros: No mystery here. In its continuing rebuilding project following crippling NCAA sanctions, the clear-cut strength of the 2005 Alabama football team lies with the defense, where nine starters return.

Cons: When healthy, senior Brodie Croyle is one of the top QBs in the SEC. Problem is, Croyle has been dogged by injuries every year. There is also inexperience on the offensive line.

Speak up: It's imperative for Croyle to finally go through an injury-free season. Alabama can't afford to play without him.

Final say: Luckily for the Tide, most of the hardest games (Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee and LSU) will be in Tuscaloosa. Predicted finish: 7-4 overall and third in the SEC West at 4-4.

Arkansas 

Pros: Fifteen starters, seven on offense and eight on defense, return from last year's 5-6 team. Former AU defensive coach Reggie Herring is the new defensive coordinator.

Cons: The Razorbacks must replace Matt Jones, perhaps the most dangerous quarterback in the conference over the past three years.

Speak up: Like several other SEC teams, Arkansas has questions at QB. Sophomore Robert Johnson, who has thrown just 19 passes in his career, is the early front-runner.

Final say: Arkansas plays at Southern California the third week, followed by a road trip to Alabama. Predicted finish: 6-5 overall, 4-4 and fourth in the SEC West.

Ole Miss 

Pros: Mild-mannered David Cutcliffe has been replaced by full-blown Cajun Ed Orgeron, who was assistant head coach and defensive line coach at Southern California, the defending national champion.

Cons: Ole Miss made a change because Cutcliffe's program had started to slip. The Rebs were 4-7 in 2004, losing to Memphis, Alabama, Wyoming, Tennessee, Auburn, Arkansas and LSU.

Speak up: It would be helpful if one of the three quarterbacks - Micheal Spurlock, Ethan Flatt or Robert Lane - would separate himself from the others.

Final say: With Vanderbilt, Wyoming and The Citadel on the schedule in the first five games, the Rebels have a chance to get off to a decent start. But they also have to play Tennessee, Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas and LSU. Predicted finish: 5-6 overall, fifth place in the SEC West with a 3-5 record.

Mississippi State 

Pros: Jerious Norwood, is one of the best running backs in the South and was picked on All-SEC preseason team. Quinton Cuberson could start at linebacker for any team in the league. They're among 15 returning starters on coach Sylvester Croom's second MSU team.

Cons: It has been three years and 15 straight games since Mississippi State has beaten any of its five brethren in the SEC West. State is still two or three years away.

Speak up: QB Omarr Conner, who passed for only 1,200-plus yards last year, must improve his game significantly.

SEC breakdown

Page 4 of 6

Final say: State opens against Murray State at home and plays Tulane two weeks later. But in between, the Bulldogs must travel to Auburn. Predicted finish: 4-7 overall, 1-7 (and last) in the SEC West.

Eastern Division

Tennessee 

Pros: The Vols have good QBs (Erik Ainge and Rick Clausen), the top-rated RB (Gerald Riggs), a preseason All-America DB (Jason Allen), a preseason All-America DT (Jesse Mahelona) and a preseason All-America OT (Arron Sears). No team in the league boasts more potential all-stars than this one.

Cons: The Vols must replace team leader LB Kevin Burnett, C Jason Respert, OT Michael Munoz and RB Cedric Houston, a 1,000-yard rusher.

Speak up: Fulmer will have to decide early if he wants to try a two-quarterback system again this season. Ainge was a sensation last season as a freshman until he went down for the season in the Notre Dame game. Clausen led the team to three wins in the final four games.

Final say: The Vols' early schedule may be the toughest in the country. Predicted finish: 11-1 overall, 7-1 (first) in SEC East, beats LSU in SEC Championship Game rematch.

Florida 

Pros: There hasn't been this sort of excitement in Gainesville since Steve Spurrier returned to his alma mater in the early 1990s. The object of the rabid Gator Nation's affection is new head coach Urban Meyer, who was highly successful in two years at Bowling Green and two years at Utah before being hired to replace Ron Zook. Meyer also inherits some of the finest talent in the SEC, including QB Chris Leak.

Cons: There aren't many. Only one of the top three LBs (junior Earl Everett) is back.

Speak up: Leak, who threw for 3,197 yards and 29 touchdowns last season, seems a perfect fit for Meyer's pass-happy offense.

Final say: The Gators open with three straight home games - Wyoming, Louisiana Tech and then Tennessee on Sept. 17 in what could be the SEC game of the year. Projected finish: 9-2 overall, 6-2 (second) in the SEC East.

Georgia 

Pros: Leonard Pope may be the biggest and best TE in the country. Max Jean-Gilles is a potential All-America at OL. QB D.J. Shockley has been waiting three years for his chance.

Cons: Clearly, the Bulldogs will miss the talent and leadership of QB David Greene and DE David Pollack.

Speak up: Shockley was a Parade All-America out of College Park, Ga., when he signed with the Bulldogs. Now the job is his alone.

Final say: The Dawgs won't have to wait long to know where they stand; they open at home against dangerous Boise State. Projected finish: 9-2 overall, 6-2 (third) in the SEC East.

South Carolina 

Pros: The main reason for optimism is the presence of Steve Spurrier. A towering and innovative force when he coached at Florida, Spurrier brings a great sense of excitement to Columbia.

Cons: Although the Gamecocks went 6-5 last year, the Lou Holtz era at South Carolina ended on a sour note with 48-14 loss to Florida, a fight-marred 29-9 loss to rival Clemson, and an NCAA investigation.

Speak up: Sophomore Blake Mitchell, a drop-back passer, is apparently the best suited among the QBs for Spurrier's "Fun 'n' Gun'' offense. But who'll play TB? Who'll replace four DL starters? So many questions ...

Final say: Although the Gamecocks must play Georgia and Tennessee on the road, the schedule is actually quite favorable. Projected finish: 5-6 overall, 2-6 (fourth) in the SEC East.

Vanderbilt 

Pros: QB Jay Cutler - one of the best operators in the South - is back for his senior year. Kevin Joyce and Moses Osemwegie are playmakers at LB.

Cons: VU suffered a terrible offseason loss when TB Kwane Doster was killed by a drive-by shooter in his hometown of Tampa. He was an excellent runner and leader.

Speak up: RB Jeff Jennings, who scored five TDs as a freshman, must come through.

Final say: To escape what Cutler has called "a culture of failure,'' Vanderbilt must win its three non-conference games (Wake Forest, Richmond and Middle Tennessee) and pull off two or three upsets. Projected finish: 4-7 overall, 1-7 (fifth) in the SEC East.

Kentucky 

Pros: Muhammad Abdullah, a senior DB, is picked on the preseason All-SEC second team. After that? Andre Woodson, a 6-5 sophomore, shows potential at QB.

Cons: Winning in football at Kentucky is hard enough under the best of circumstances. But it's even worse in times of NCAA probation.

Speak up: Woodson needs to respond at QB. Assistant coach Joker Phillips, the new offensive coordinator, has promised to throw the football.

Final say: Unfortunately, Kentucky opens the season on the road against Louisville, one of the best teams in the country. Projected finish: 2-9 overall, 0-8 (last) in the SEC East.

[bammanmr 0]

So 6'2" and 202 is skinny?

I bet john pruett would kill to be that size.

[quietfan 233]

Probably one of the most reasonable previews I've seen, or as reasonable as anything else.

Would 11-1 get Tennessee into the Rose Bowl? If not, then in this scenario the SEC will have once again beaten itself out of the BCS CG.

However, five teams with two or fewer losses would certainly make the various bowls with committted SEC berths happy. That's much better than getting stuck with an 8-3 or 7-4 team, as some of the lesser SEC-tied bowls have been stuck with at times.