Published August 17, 2011 - 6:06am
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No one knows what is going to happen this year during the season, and it is crazy how a team’s season outlook can totally change in a matter of one practice, like with an injury to a dynamic running back like Knile Davis.
Here are three “on the limb” predictions for this coming year:
Best Running Back
When I think about the best statistical running back in the SEC, I think of no one else but Marcus Lattimore, and I have expressed what I think about Lattimore and his ability to totally change an offense, both in rushing and receiving. He did that for South Carolina.
Best Rushing Offense
Many are pointing to Alabama to have the best rushing offense in the SEC. While I can’t disagree with their massive offensive linemen and their dynamic running back Trent Richardson, I think there is another team that will lead the league in rushing this season in the West.
I believe the best rushing offense in 2011 will be the Mississippi State Bulldogs. I think this offense returns a ton of skill guys in Chris Relf, Vick Ballard, LaDarius Perkins and Chad Bumphis, and all will run the football in one form or another. Relf can carry it 15-plus times per game, and Ballard could very well lead the SEC in scoring again, in addition to being a candidate for the best running back in the SEC. This team could average 220 to 230-plus yards on the ground per game.
Darkhorse To Win SEC
Call it my blue and orange tinted glasses if you would like, but I think the biggest darkhorse that truly fits an “on the limb prediction” to win the SEC this year is the Florida Gators. The best thing going for Florida right now is there is no dominant team in the East. While South Carolina looks to be the preseason favorite, they are not the overwhelming favorites.
If Florida can find a way to get to Atlanta, anything can happen.
John Brantley does return under new offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, and I fully expect Brantley to play better this season than last. I think Weis will get Brantley to run eight to 10 plays very efficiently and effectively from different formations.
Florida will line up in multiple formations, but the plays should be very similar. Also, Florida will run, run, run if the defense is shutting down the offense.
Defensively, I love what Will Muschamp brings to the table, along with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Quinn is a defensive line specialist, and I fully expect Florida to be pretty dirty in the trenches.
The deciding game for Florida will be the road trip to Columbia in November.
What are three on the limb predictions you have for SEC Football in 2011?
Jeff Demps is the SEC’s Top Offensive Player
Auburn wins nine games
Vanderbilt finishes 4-4 in conference play
That’s a mighty small limb Mr. Palmetto…..lol!!!
As far as Jon’s “on the limb” predictions, seriously IMHO, Tennessee has just as good a shot at winning the SEC as Florida and I’d say those chances are pretty slim. South Carolina is clearly the favorite and I think Jon and most everyone else agrees with that and Georgia is probably the consensus to finish second with the most favorable schedule among the East programs.
Winner of Tennessee / Florida showdown in “The Swamp” suddenly gets to spend some time out “on the limb.”
The greatest Saturday in September will have a say in the East, but it obviously is not as big of a game as years past. However, the big three games in the East as I see them are South Carolina-Georgia, Tennessee-Florida and Florida-South Carolina. I think those three are the biggest in the East.
The only reason Florida has a better chance is because they don’t play Arkansas from the West, and Florida’s schedule is slightly more favorable.
But what do I know?
IMO I think biggest game in SEC east this year will definetely be UGA-Fla…WIll determine sec east winner I think. UGA, for the first time in many many years has the week off prior to that game. No offense to anyones teams but I think tenn is probably a year away from becoming a power house again. Theyve definetely got the right coach.
Im giving the edge to Georgia over Florida in the east this yr based solely on the schedule..Our SOS this year may be the lowest its ever been.
South Carolina has ALWAYS been UGA’s hardest game for some reason but this year I just believe that its going to come down to the best QB, and no offense, but Murray is way ahead of Garcia here. Hell Murray may be top 5 or 6 QB in nation.Latimores a stud but im thinking Crowell is also.
While Kentucky has beat us twice in the last 5 years, I really just dont think they have the depth this year to contend in the east. Theyre getting there though.
I think this years Vandy team may very well finish third and with some lucky breaks along the way, maybe second in the east. They are loaded with above average talent and schedule sets up well with that talent they have.
Now, take all my knowledge and predictions and throw them away. This is the SEC east…hahahahaha. Good luck all.
Im thinking either Latimore or UGA qb Murray will win offensive player of the year in SEC.
Auburn does not win nine games, however they do beat us here in Athens. Too many players and fans have had that game circled ever since last year with the poor play by Fairley. We are just too pumped up for it.
Not only does Vandy win more than 4 games in east, but with a lil luck and a couple of breaks they may finish second in the east. A ton of talent and schedule is set for them.
best running back??? I’m thinking with Ingram gone that Richardson finally gets the spotlight. He is by far the most powerful running back i’ve ever seen. If Demps gets an o-line to block nobody will catch him either.
No offense, but I am tired of all this “prediction” crap. It’s time for football! I want football now!
I agree. Only 15 more days!
GO CATS!!!!
Patience grasshopper – we are within two weeks.
I think, once again, everyone is overlooking the Kentucky Wildcats. In the last 5 seasons, they have beaten Auburn @ Auburn, Georgia, (2), LSU, South Carolina, 4-1 against Louisville and have been one pass or one less fumble away from 9-3 seasons instead of 6-6 seasons. This year the defense is strong and fast. The offense has explosiveness in both the pass and the run. The Wildcats are ready to make that next step and become definite contenders in the East and the SEC. GO CATS, GO BIG BLUE!!!!!!
Kentucky has also gone to 4 consecutive Bowl Games
This isn’t basketball. Kentucky may go 6-6 again and go to a bowl game, but that doesn’t qualify them as contenders
Kentucky will never win the East. The top 22 players they put on the field, 11 offense and 11 defense (not quite sure if you kentucky fans know how to play football or not), will be as good as any other school. The reason that teams like Kentucky, Vandy, Ole Miss, and UT as of late cant compete is depth. That is why you see close games till the 4th quarter when the top players are simply just to tired. Until the wildcats recruit some depth im sorry but its bottom of the league for you guys.
Here are my out on the limbs.
1) South Carolina doesnt win the SEC EAST
2) Trent Richardson wins the Hiesman
3) Vandy makes it to a bowl game
4) Miss St finishes 3rd in the SEC behind Bama and LSU
5) UGA beats Boise St. by 7+
1- Agreed
2- Keep dreaming!!
3- Very possible.
4- Not likely to happen.
5- Very good chance of that.
1) Agreed- 1. UGA 2. Fla. 3. Vanderbilt 4.South Carolina 5. Tenn 6. Kentucky
2)Not likely but will be invited to New York. Andrew Luck stanford QB wins heisman this year.
3)Agreed. A lot of above average talent and schedule sets up for that talent level they have.
4) Probably not- Im thinking 1. Bama 2. LSU 3. Ark 4. Auburn 5. Miss St. 6. Ole Miss
5) Disagree big time- UGA by 7+? This will not even be that close. I think this will be a UGA win by at least 17+.
Hey are my “out on the limbs”
1. Jeff Driskel wins the job over Brantley less than half way through the season at Florida.
2. LSU runs the table and goes 12-0 and beats Alabama, and Alabama will only lose one game to LSU.
3. Georgia beats both Boise State and South Carolina in back-to-back weeks, and Mark Richt is hailed after week two in Athens.
Im thinking new florida OC Charlie will stick with Brantley. Hes notorious for his loyalty to his starter no matter how good or bad.
LSU running the table? WOW….would be something to see but with their schedule?..Man its going to be tough for them.
And I dont think Mark Richt will ever be hailed until he can consistently beat the upper level SEC teams on a fairly consistent basis,,the florida’s, the Bama’s, the LSU’s. Yes we “occasionally win those games against big teams , but we need more consistence.
Like those limbs but ima go all out with mine
1. Carolina flops…Spurrier and garcia hold hands and ride off into the sunset
2. Arkansas flops….Petrino Quits after Texas A&M clobbers them by 20+ proving theyrethe ones that belong in the sec…afterwards petrino claims he only came to arkansas to coach knile davis
3. UGA beats boise and sc ….and wins 8 more games on their way to a huge upset against LSU for the sec title.
Or maybe thats just my dream season….either way gooooo dawgs! Sic em!
Meant to say petrino only came to ark to coach ryan mallett but theknile davis injury was fresh on my mind lol
Best running back in the SEC – Tauren Poole, now we all laugh when the offensive line vowed to make him a 2000 yard rusher this year, but look what they did last year as freshmen? Tennessee added depth and experience at O-line so look out SEC. Tauren Poole is on his way
Best Rushing Offense – Well seeing as how I predict Tauren Poole will be the best rusher in the SEC, then I’m going to have to go with UT as top rushing Offense. The Vols not only have Poole but have very good depth at the tailback position with Rajon Neal, Tom Smith, and Marlin Lane.
Dark Horse to win the SEC – Now if you can’t tell by now I’m obviously a Vol fan and I will predict the SEC East and West like no other this year with the SEC Championship game in Atlanta this year pitting the University of Tennessee Vols against the Mississippi State Bulldogs
Now what do I know? Really nothing but then again, all the experts can do is watch like we do … Have a nice day!
Best running back in SEC?….WOW tough to say..SEC is loaded with great backs this year…richardson, latimore, poole, Crowell is going to be great but ya never know about fresmen, a darkhorse back to watch out for is Malcom for UGA, guy is a beast and will get the chance to show it this year.
Best rushing offense?…Im gonna say South Carolina, god knows they HAVE to be good at that for Garcia is most inconsistent QB in SEC. Hes a world beater one game ,then looks like a lost puppy the next.
Now this is the point in the article we all realized you are a TRUE Vol fan….Tenn – Miss St. in SECCG? hahahahahahahahahahahahaha…just kidding with ya. Im gonna say UGA-Bama with Bama winning. Im saying UGA not because im diehard DAWG fan but simply because of our very weak schedule this year. Very Weak.
Ark vs LSU 11/25 for West Champ and South Carolina vs Florida 11/12 for the East Champ
SEC Title ARK vs Florida
BCS NC Game ARK (12,1) vs Oklahoma(11,1)
Way out on that Limb but anything can happen. One upset any given Saturday in the SEC.
Go Hogs!
Hmmmm lets see here
1. UGA does lose 2 games this year but it will not be to Boise State or South Carolina. More likely the two losses come against Fla. and believe it or not, Auburn in athens. ( road team seems to almost Always win this game).
2. SECCG in Atlanta will be UGA- Bama with Bama winning SEC and going on to play for National Championship.
3. Coach Mark Richt will not be fired even if my #1 prediction is wrong and he loses 6 games.
Go DAWGS, see yall in the dome on the third, cant wait.