2008 Storylines
*** Of 24 potential coordinators, there will be 11 new men calling shots on Saturdays in the Southeastern Conference. With so many teams learning new systems, there will not be the potential advantage normally associated with a lack of coaching cohesion.
*** There are six SEC teams breaking in new quarterbacks this Fall (Tennesee, South Carolina, Kentucky, Auburn, Mississippi and LSU). Some of these teams stand to improve overall from their 2007 squad. How big that improvement is may ultimately be decided by their quarterback play.
*** How will 2007 Heisman winner Tim Tebow perform against otherworldly expectations this Fall? Can he repeat?
*** Speaking of defending titles, the LSU Tigers won the BCS Championship in 2007. How will a team that was +20 in turnover margin in ’07 fare this Fall? Considering the Tigers are breaking in a redshirt freshman quarterback also, an appearance in the SEC Championship Game would be a surprise.
How I think the 2008 race ends:
1. Florida (6-2)
2. UGA (6-2)
3. Auburn (6-2)
4. Tennessee (5-3)
5. LSU (5-3)
SEC Championship Game: Florida vs Auburn
SEC Winner: Florida Gators
More on the teams:
1. Florida Gators
2007 Conference Record: 5-3
Why I picked ‘em here: This pick goes against the conventional wisdom of defense over offense. Nevertheless, I predict UF’s offense will outscore their opponents in the games their “D” is not up to snuff. The young Gators gained tons of experience last year and only play three true SEC road games.
Achilles warning: Do Gators’ have heels? This bunch does and it will come in the form of defense, especially at defensive back.
2. UGA Bulldawgs
2007 Conference Record: 6-2
Why I picked ‘em here: Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno are the best offensive backfield pair in the league, and one of the better ones in the entire country. Toss in one of the most talented defenses in the conference and there is a ton to like about this team.
Achilles warning: The Dawgs must go on the road to face South Carolina, LSU, Florida and Auburn. Any team would do well to go .500 in those venues….even a national title contender.
3. Auburn Tigers
2007 Conference Record: 5-3
Why I picked ‘em here: Simply put, the Tigers have the most favorable schedule of any SEC team. They play in the SECW…they do not play UF…and their three toughest league games are at home!
Achilles warning: Head Coach Tommy Tuberville is working with two new coordinators and is having to break in a new quarterback. In the always-tough SEC, that lack of consistency will be difficult to overcome.
4. Tennessee Volunteers
2007 Conference Record: 6-2
Why I picked ‘em here: The Vols have the best starting offensive line in the conference. Add in a talented corps of running backs and the pressure should be off a new quarterback and offensive coordinator.
Achilles warning: Tennessee’s defensive starters are talented, but there is a significant dropoff to the second string. The Vols also play their toughest games in the first half of the season, forcing the offense to gel quickly.
5. LSU Tigers
2007 Conference Record: 6-2
Why I picked ‘em here: Despite only 12 starters coming back from the BCS Championship squad, the Tigers are loaded with talent. The best news for the bayou-faithful is that there are a combined six upperclassmen starters returning along the lines (three on each side).
Achilles warning: Head Coach Les Miles appeared to make very ‘safe’ choices in replacing defensive coordinator Bo Pelini. Assuming the turnover margin mellows this year, will the Tigers win all those close games again?
The rest of the story….Mississippi, Alabama and South Carolina are all capable of spoiling the run of any of the top teams in the conference. But all three have significant question marks and will finish in the middle of the pack in their divisions. While Mississippi State and Kentucky will each win a couple of conference games, Arkansas and Vanderbilt will both struggle to find league wins.
I can think of a Gator that has some huge problems with he heel. Mr. Harvin.
You should have left the pussy cat at the top of the page, it was more appropriate for these rankings!
1 – Stafford and Moreno are not “one of the better offensive backfields” in the country this year. They are THE best offensive backfield in the country since Auburn 2004.
2 – The three best Ds in the country are, in no particular order, UGA, USC and LSU. And Defense ALWAYS wins championships if Offenses are adequate. Given that UGA’s O will be the best in the country, barring injury, look for the DAWGS to have multiple double digit wins as Mark Richt moves past the Stoopster to the #2 spot on the active winningest coaches list.
3 – Just a nugget for the two PCs (Papa Cotcher and Paul Cotcher), this UGA team is better than the all time all star teams of UM or GT!
4 – Look for UT to get a spanking by UCLA on Labor Day this year. I hope they don’t, but fear they will.
5 – Riskiest games for the DAWGS this year are, in order, SC, Auburn, Bama. LSU and Florida are guaranteed. And with Cutcliffe gone, look for the DAWGS to hold the Vols to less than 10 whilst they hang 50 on ‘em for retribution for the last 2 years.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGS!!!!! SIC’EM!!! WOOF, WOOF, WOOF, WOOF!!!
Oh, and go Jacksonville State!!
Man, you can’t swing a dead cat around here without finding some woofing Ugag idiot.
Here is my problem with this team: They have been annointed, and haven’t even played a down yet. Never mind the off field problems that you read about on a weekly basis, never mind the fact that one of, if not their most talented o-lineman is out for the year, never mind the fact that their schedule will allow them a 9-3 season at best.
Florida wins big in the cocktail party, and Ugag watches another season go up in smoke. No bye week before Florida this year, you get LSU right?
Pipe down frawgs…
Mark my word right here today… UGA will not even play in the SEC Championship game let alone the National Title.
I look forward to whipping the puppies for a 3rd straight time in Athens.
Don’t underestimate the Vols.
Oh how I love to hear from the toothless nation as this is the time of the year when they are still undefeated. The DAWGS may not make it to the MNC game due to their schedule, but make no mistake about it, they WILL win the SEC.
Correct me if I am wrong, but Fulmer has never won the division, the conference or a game against the DAWGS without Cutcliffe.
And Paul, there was only one kid on UGA’s team that committed any kind of a crime worth mentioning and he was kicked off the team. You need to be more worried about Perriloux tomorrow night than you do anything else. The bugs will NOT be bowl eligible this year and will never beat an SEC team with that silly offense unless they can get Tommy Frazier to come back and run it. Forget about it.
Patrick and Blackwell…
I love your unbiased assessment of the East. Where would I get laughs if it wasnt for Georgia fans???
Go Gators!
Tres
Blain,
As of today, the SEC East standings have
VANDY #1
UTooth #6
Tres,
I’m glad to hear you have a sense of humor. I’m sure you were laughing it up last year when you were cruising to a 9-4 season. Just be glad Shockley got hurt in 2005 or the butt-whooping you have coming this year would make 4 out of 5!