SEC East Preview

Projected Outcome:

Florida (11-1, 7-1)

UGA ( 8-4, 5-3)

USC (8-4, 4-4)

UK (7-5, 3-5)

Vandy (6-6, 3-5)

Tenn. (6-6, 2-6)

Team By Team:

How can Florida not repeat? They are returning all 11 starters from the national championship game AND all 11 back-ups from defense that held the Big 12's high octane Oklahoma to 14 points. Their quarterback may be the greatest college football player. If this wasn't enough, they have, by SEC standards, a schedule set up for them to win. FSU is the only non-conference game that their third string couldn't win handily, also they miss Bama and Ole Miss. Look for number 3 in 4 years.

Georgia doesn't come with the same preseason hype that had last year but they are still Georgia. With 8 returning starters, their O line should be vastly improved and should no longer be their Achilles' heel. The linebacker core should be the strength of the defense and A.J. Green will be the start of the offense. Still the question of how King and Cox will do in replacing Stafford and Moreno at RB and QB looms large.

South Carolina has plenty of talent as well as plenty of question. One thing that won't be a question is their defensive front 7. Lead by Norwood, expect their 4-2-5 defense to stingily give up rushing yards. The secondary will undoubtedly be hurt by Munnerlyn and Cooks early exit to the NFL but expect the young talented core to develop as the season progresses. The past few years the offense has been the bane of ever USC fan, expect this year to be little different. Still there is reason for hope, Garcia is showing promise, and look for players like Byrnes and Brown to step up on the receiving end. If the O line can give Garcia time and open up the running game, look for the defense to help carry the offense to a 8 win season.

Look for Kentucky's offense to feature Randall under center occasionally as they run a wildcat offense, which, coupled with Senior A. Smith (4.3 for a 40 time) a tailback to breath life into their animate rushing game. A major concerns are the defense who (due to Jarmon testing positive for banned substances) are only returning 4 starters. Also we will have to see if QB Hartline can overcome his inconsistency and lead this team to an unimaginable 4th start bowl game.

Vanderbilt's lines should be the strength of their club since they aren't losing a single starter from either side of scrimmage. They return 9 starters from a solid group that allowed less than 20 points a game last year. The easiest way they could not return to a bowl this year will be inconsistent quarterback play and lack of playmakers on offense. Much like the USC if they can jump start their offense look for a successful season.

Tennessee had a great recruiting class that has only added to the hype Layne Kiffin has generated around the program, unfortunately they are still a year or two away. They have a strong defense lead by Eric Berry, perhaps the best player in college football,  that should keep them in games in spite of a lack of depth and experience at linebacker. Still, like so many other SEC teams this year quarterback play will determine the outcome of the season and with Crompton and Stephens it doesn't look promising. Look for a promising season that, coupled with a few solid recruiting classes, could have Tennessee back on it's way to national relevance.