'09 SEC football preview

What can be better than college football in the south? Uhh if anyone finds an answer let me know. SEC football in the south is like ice cream and apple pie, they just go together. Is the SEC the best conference in college football........I believe so and do so for several reasons. One the defending national champs are in the SEC and that the list of really good teams goes on and on and on. Even the "weak links" in the SEC would be considered a middle of the road team in a conference like the Big East. Also can anyone figure out and SEC defence, well lets look at other top teams in the country and see what they think. Oklahoma's so potent offence was well.......muffled in the title game a year ago. Texas Tech got a good old southern football 101 class in the cotton bowl a year ago and luckily for Ohio State they didn't have to play and SEC team as they are 0 for life against the SEC. Florida will again be loaded and ready to swamp through any and all competition in their way. But lets not get TO carried away a national championship team has not gone unbeaten since USC in '03. That being said who could stump the Gators. Well lets start in the SEC Lane Kiffen roles into the swamp from rocky top on September 19th. One problem they have to play in the swamp, beating Florida is hard enough but beating Florida in the swamp is nearly impossible. However a game that looks "dangerous" for the Gators, if there is such a thing, is a trip to death valley to take on LSU. Yes LSU had their issues at QB last year but now they are committed to just 1 guy and a very talented one at that. So from rocky top, through Athens, Alabama, Mississippi, all the way down to Gainsville here is a team by team breakdown of the best conference in the land.





Alabama-A-: Yes they lost John Parker Wilson and Glenn Coffee but the Bama D is still there as is Nick Saben. A test for the first time starter at QB for Bama right out of the gate as a Bud Foster D will be looking for the kill. But Bama's D is tops in the land and could very likely meet Florida again in Atlanta for an SEC title.

Arkansas-B: Casey Dick is a great leader at QB because of how much his talent level went up and he has seen about all the SEC has to offer as he enters his Sr year. The Razorbacks should do nothing but improve off of their season from a year ago. However the week in and week out schedule is a nightmare as they play Georgia and Bama back to back weeks and have a stretch of games with Auburn, at Florida and at Ole Miss. Yeah good luck. If they survive that they still have a season finalle in Baton Ruge against LSU.

Auburn- B: Yes I gave the Tigers a B, as bad as the offence was last year it is GREATLY improved yesterday. I say this because of a spring game that had big play after big play ON OFFENSE. With the new recruits and season, Auburn is looking to regain their SEC supremecy. The defense is typicall of an SEC defense: fast, athletic, and not affraid to lay a lick or two. With Brandon Tate at RB a solid run game should be in place behind a offensive line that has a year together under their belt. Auburn will surprise the country this year and find a nice bowl game at seasons end.

Florida- A: The only reason the Gators are not an A+ is because everyone can improve, just some can more than others. Tebow is a Heisman candidate running the preseason #1 team in the land. Urban Myer has a high powered offense and stingent defense. Can they be beat absolutely, but it probably woun't happen in "The Swamp". With that said here are some games that could trip up the Gators: at LSU, and vs. Georgia in Jacksonville. Outside of that the schedule is very manageable but then again for a team with this much talent...does it matter.

Georgia- B: The Dawgs definitally lost a lot of fire power from a year ago with the departure of Mareno and Stafford BUT if we know anything about Mark Rickt they will do just fine. But one thing is a FACT at season's end the Dawgs will have earned every single W. As if an SEC schedule isn't hard enough Georgia also playes at Oklahoms St. and Arizona State, now that is tough.

Kentucky- B-: And that grade may be a little harsh. With solid leadership both on and off the field and with a what could be superb freshman at QB in Mike Hartline and Tony Dixon leading the ground attack Kentucky has the pieces in place to contend in the SEC. So why a B+; their QB as talented as he may be still has never faced and NCAA defense much less an SEC defense. If he plays to his hype their grade is in the B+ range especially with a fairly manageable schedule.

LSU- A-: SPEED = the 2009 edition of the LSU Tigers. Yes they had all sorts of issues at QB but the right guy has the reigns to what may be the 2nd most explosive offense in the SEC 2nd only to Florida. Jordan Jefferson showed in what little playing time he had a strong arm and speed. Combine that with LSU receivers with a RB tandem of Williams and Lipoma and you get a bunch of points. Baton Ruge get ready for a shoot out when the Gators come to town on October 10th.

Olde Miss- A-: Wow the once "dog" of the league is now a big time club with SEC hopes and National Title dreams and with their talent why not. Olde Miss has a leader in Snead who knows how to win the big one, just ask Florida, oh and by the way can throw the pigskin pretty well to. With 9 Sr's and 28 Jr's experience is in place for a 10+ win season. A top 10 team by season's end.

Mississippi State- C-: Compared to the rest of the SEC they are absolutely terrible. But in a conference like the Big East who knows. Be that as it may they are the "dogs" of the SEC and that is that. Not even close to the needed talent level to win more than 2 games in the SEC.

South Carolina- B: Yup the olde ball coach has "cockville" prepared for a huge season. Now can he deliver? That remains to be seen, but we do know that it hasn't happened.........YET. With 14 Sr's the time to contend is now. They have enough guys who have been there before and know what it takes to go a long way. Oh and by the way that Spurrier guy with the clipboard may know a thing or 2, just maybe.

Tennessee- B-: You can hear "Rocky Top" from everywhere including their knew coach in Lane Kiffen. He has called out Florida before he has called a play for the Vols. YIKES one may say "What exactly is he thinking". While I'm not sure exactly I imagine it's something along these lines: I am motivating this team to be the best PERIOD. Rocky Top is well on their way to prominence in the SEC but this year may be a tad early for the team to completely get Kiffen's system.

Vanderbelt- C: Average describes what Vandy is; not bad but not great. Big play capability from Chris Nickson but consistency is everything especially in the SEC. Expect 6-8 wins with a possible large upset on the way.

Favorite: Florida

Sleeper: Auburn

Just flat out not very good: Mississippi State

MVP: Tim Tebow
-Kyle