SEC East Predictions
2010 provides a lot of uncertainty in the SEC East. Here is a look at each team and their projected finish.
1 – Florida (10-2): Florida will have to replace all everything quarterback Tim Tebow, its top three pass catchers, and its best offensive lineman. Fortunately, Florida has a former National Player of the Year winner in John Brantley to take over the reigns. He should lead a more balanced offensive attack featuring Chris Rainey, Deonte Thompson, and Jeff Demps. Florida lost a lot of talent on defense, and will have a hard time replacing Brandon Spikes and Joe Haden. The coaching staff is very high on some of the young talent, including John Bostic and Omar Hunter. #1 overall commit Ronald Powell could see immediate playing time as well.
2 – Georgia (9-3): Georgia also replaces its quarterback and should be turning the offense over to redshirt freshman Aaron Murray, who broke all of Tim Tebow’s Florida Highschool passing records. Murray should benefit from a young but talented offensive line, one of the nations best wide receivers in A.J. Green, and two explosive backs in Caleb King and Washaun Ealey. The defense will be the big question mark for UGA as it look to change from a 4-3, to a 3-4 under new coordinator Todd Grantham.
3 – South Carolina (9-3): South Carolina returns 17 starters, including 9 on offense. Steve Spurrier has hinted at using the two quarterback system this season which speaks volumes about his confidence in returning starter Stephen Garcia. The offense should benefit from the addition of Marcus Lattimore, a powerful running back in the Ronnie Brown mold. Look for Alshon Jeffery to continue to improve and become one of the SEC’s best young wide receivers. Losing Eric Norwood, SEC sack and tackle leader, will be a substantial blow. Cliff Mathews and Chris Culliver are two of the best in the SEC and should carry this defense. South Carolina has a brutal schedule, don’t be surprised if the November 13th game vs Florida decides the East.
(Note: I wanted to stop the article after USC because Kentucky, UT, and Vanderbilt have zero chance at winning the East. Kentucky should finish around .500, but the other two will do their best not to lose every SEC game they play this year. These schools are excited about Fall because it brings them closer to basketball season.)
4 – Kentucky (6-6): With John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and Co. gone to the NBA… Joker Phillips takes over for retired Rich Brooks, and hopes to keep Kentucky’s bowl streak alive. Kentucky gets Mike Hartline back from an injury in 2009, which should allow them to move Morgan Newton around. Newton was impressive at times from the quarterback position, but proved to be too inconsistent and appears better suited for a wildcat/slot receiver role. Fortunately for Hartline, he will benefit from having two unheralded stars back in Derrick Locke and Randall Cobb. UK defense lost 4 of its top play makers on defense, and will be turning to several young inexperienced players to help keep their bowl dreams alive. Trevard Linley should be the bright spot on defense if he can stay healthy.
5 – Tennessee (4-8): Tennessee looks to put the Lane Kiffin era behind them and move forward with Derek Dooley. Dooley comes from Louisiana Tech where in three years he went 17-21. Dooley does however have exceptional blood lines, as he is the son of legendary coach Vince Dooley. Tennessee may start Nick Stephans at quarterback, if he can beat out freshman Tyler Bray (originally committed to San Diego State). Unfortunately for UT fans, the bad news gets worse as Tennessee also loses four starting lineman and possibly its best running back in Bryce Brown. Tennessee should benefit from a good recruiting class in 2010, so the future looks promising. On defense, UT returns 6 starters including four of its front seven. Somehow I have a feeling Lane Kiffin new the cupboard was close to bare, looked at the brutal 2010 schedule, and wanted out pretty badly. Still hate the guy.
6 – Vanderbilt (3-9): Vanderbilt returns 13 starters from a team that finished 2-10 last year. On offense Vanderbilt will hand the ball off to a pair of talented running backs in Warren Norman and Zac Stacy. The offensive line should be serviceable, and much of Vandy’s offensive success will fall on the shoulders of the passing game. Larry Smith should be the starter, but JUCO transfer Jordan Rodgers (Aaron Rodgers, QB for Green Bay Packers brother) will push him for playing time. Wesley Tate (Golden Tate’s brother) will complement Kennard Reeves to form a decent duo at wide receiver. Defensively, the Commodores will rely on Chris Marve, John Stokes, and Adam Smotherman to anchor the front seven. Marve is by far the best player on Vanderbilt’s team and could earn All-SEC honors.
Later this week, I will give my predictions for the SEC West.
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Kentucky will have a better record than 6-6. Where’s the love for the Wildcats? Joker is the MAN.
[...] SEC East prediction: 2 – Georgia (9-3): Georgia also replaces its quarterback and should be turning the offense over to redshirt freshman Aaron Murray, who broke all of Tim Tebow's Florida Highschool passing records. Murray should benefit from a young but talented offensive line, one of the nations best wide receivers in A.J. Green, and two explosive backs in Caleb King and Washaun Ealey. The defense will be the big question mark for UGA as it look to change from a 4-3, to a 3-4 under new coordinator Todd Grantham. [...]
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Obviously, you care more about basketball season for the bottom three schools as well.
From the Kentucky ‘prediction’:
1. Newton was an Parade High School All American and a top 15 national quarterback out of high school. At 6’4 and over 220, the ONLY position he could play other than qb would likely be TE. He isn’t going anywhere. Not to mention that as a STARTING QUARTERBACK in the SEC as as TRUE FRESHMAN he was 5-2 with wins AT Auburn and AT Georgia. Oh, and he was a selection to the All-SEC freshman team. Yeah…I am certain the Wildcat coaches are looking to move him elsewhere on the field. That’s just laughable.
2. Trevard Lindley (not Linley) graduated….after 5 years….and was a fourth round pick by the Eagles.
But thanks for doing some research.
I would say these projections were accurate, if Nick Stephens didn’t transfer from Tennessee on April 8th…. I am feeling some Kentucky bias. It’s going take more than a guy that Tennessee didn’t want out of their own back yard, Randall Cobb, to beat even a bad Vols team.
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