What’s the big deal anyway?

If you’ve been living in a cave in the Deep South over the last few days, Florida OL coach Tim Davis, who has previously worked under Nick Saban for three years, jokingly called Saban ‘the devil himself’ during a Florida fan event.

“I’ve always wanted to work with (Florida coach) Will (Muschamp),” Davis said. “Will’s got a plan. Will coached under the devil himself for seven years. I only did three. He did seven. And his DNA is not any different than Nick.”

The apparently height-challenged Antichrist has been accused of being ‘the devil himself’, ‘Nicky Satan’ and the ‘Prince of Darkness’ all over the span of the last few months. It all stems from a play on words with Saban, and I’d venture to say championships have something to do with it, too. That’s it.

Then, ESPN’s Mark May called Davis a ‘classless backstabbing coward’ yesterday on the Mothership.

“I don’t know Tim Davis, but my opinion, he’s a classless backstabbing coward,” May said on ESPN. “You’re talking about a guy in Nick Saban that gave you an opportunity to coach. He gave you an opportunity to move up the coaching ranks, so you could support your family, put food on the table, clothes on their backs. Not for one year. He gave you the opportunity for three years on his staff.

“If you have a problem with Nick Saban, pick up the phone, put your big-boy pants on and man up and say ‘Coach, I got a problem with you and here’s why.’ You don’t go out in front of some group of friendly fans out there and say that about Nick Saban, a guy that gave you an opportunity to be a coach.”

Mark May apparently didn’t get the same tongue-in-cheek tone from Davis as 90 percent of the country did. What a radical and outlandish approach by Davis, trying to energize and stir up fans at rallying event. Saban probably takes it as a compliment. After all, if no one is gunning for you or talking about you, you’re irrelevant. And Saban certainly isn’t irrelevant.

A few days ago, Will Muschamp vowed to end Georgia’s two-game winning streak, and UGA OC Mike Bobo assured fans the Bulldogs would be ready for South Carolina.

Many boosters and fans don’t want to hear about the Xs and Os of college football. Hell, many can’t tell you the difference between a center and a guard. Especially at fan rallies and events, they just want to hear about how they’re going to be able to brag at the water cooler on Monday mornings come fall, not how you have the best pulling guard in the conference.

Simple tongue-in-cheek statements meant to rally crowds shouldn’t be taken so seriously.

What Davis, Muschamp, Bobo and Franklin said was meant to rally and rile up home crowds – nothing more, nothing less. It’s funny and entertaining and gives us something to talk about in May, when college football is essentially dead to the world.

As long as coaches don’t pose any death threats or attack the SEC, we’re all good. Intra-conference shots are allowed and welcomed.

After all, isn’t it a coach’s job to rally fan bases?

Photo Credit: Daniel Shirey/CFA-pr via USA TODAY Sports

So, which SEC East defense will be the best in 2013?

There are way too many variables right now that we have to see play out during fall camp and on into the season, but let’s take a look at the ceiling (and the floor) of each SEC East defense.

Florida Gators

Last year’s defense: 2nd in SEC
Why they could be the division’s best: Will Muschamp will always put a great product on the field, and while the Gators lost two first-round picks and five other starters, it’s important to note that Florida’s depth chart is loaded. The return of Ronald Powell only helps cement one of the SEC’s best defensive lines. Buck LB Dante Fowler is a budding superstar, and MLB Antonio Morrison is one of the best LBs in the SEC. Not to mention, Florida has two lockdown corners in Loucheiz Purifoy and Marcus Roberson.

Why they could be the division’s worst: Let’s face it: Florida’s not going to be the East’s worst defense. But they could certainly have a down year. The four key losses are DT Sharrif Floyd, MLB Jon Bostic, S Matt Elam and coordinator Dan Quinn, who went back to the NFL. The line will be solid and deep, but inexperience abounds at linebacker and safety, leaving too big of a hole for unproven players to plug. Florida could also have a tough time forcing turnovers, something the team lived and died on last year.

Georgia Bulldogs

Last year’s defense: 6th in SEC
Why they could be the division’s best: Nothing is better than a group of young, talented and super hungry underclassmen. Last year’s defense screamed selfish, and players were particularly worried about their NFL dreams, but this group is super talented and ready to prove everyone wrong. Jordan Jenkins could be the SEC’s best rush OLB, while safeties Josh Harvey-Clemons and Tray Matthews are ready to be young superstars. The run defense can’t get any worse than last season’s, and Georgia, collectively, will be better than everyone thinks.

Why they could be the division’s worst: Replacing eight starters is no cakewalk in the SEC. When teams live and die on their defensive performance, the inexperience could catch up with the defense in a hurry. Let’s face it: Todd Grantham may not even be the coach we all thought, as he couldn’t coach one of the most talented defenses – on paper – in UGA history. In fact, Grantham’s defenses have given up virtually the same amount of points per game as Willie Martinez’s.

Kentucky Wildcats

Last year’s defense: 11th in SEC
Why they could be the division’s best: Mark Stoops and DC DJ Eliot are great defensive minds and great leaders, and they will transform a Kentucky defense led by book-ends Bud Dupree and Za’Darius Smith. Avery Williamson will become one of the SEC’s better linebackers this season, and the Wildcats could shock the East.

Why they could be the division’s worst: Stoops and company just don’t have the horses they need to compete right now. Yeah, the first team is veteran-laid and is a solid group, but to compete in the SEC it takes stacked depth charts along the trenches, something the Wildcats just don’t have. Kentucky finished 10th in run defense last season, and that has to improve.

Missouri Tigers

Last year’s defense: 10th in SEC
Why they could be the division’s best: Mizzou surprised its first year on defense, something few expected to actually happen. The Tigers will win up front, led by talented DE Kony Ealy and stout LB Andrew Wilson. The front seven should pretty be strong against the run.

Why they could be the division’s worst: While I think the front seven can be very good, the secondary is worrisome, namely at corner. Kip Edwards is gone, and finding his replacement to form a solid duo with EJ Gaines is proving to be difficult – not to mention the Tigers arguably lost the SEC’s most talented DT in Sheldon Richardson. The loss of Edwards, Richardson, Brad Madison, Zaviar Gooden and Will Ebner is just way too much to overcome.

South Carolina Gamecocks

Last year’s defense: 4th in SEC
Why they could be the division’s best: Headlined by Jadeveon Clowney, the one great thing Carolina has proven over the last couple years is they can flat out get to the quarterback. Clowney could rack up 16 or more sacks, making this defensive line – and the rest of the defense – the nastiest in the East.

Why they could be the division’s worst: Absent DJ Swearinger, the Gamecocks have no fearless leader. Swearinger was the heart and soul of the defense, and replacing him, along with four proven LBs and Spur, will be too much to be the top overall defense.

Tennessee Volunteers

Last year’s defense: 14th in SEC
Why they could be the division’s best: Defensive coordinator John Jancek is bringing back the 4-3 to the Vols’ defense, which will instantly make them better. And his 11 starters are actually better than advertised, led by linebackers AJ Johnson and Curt Maggitt. The starting 11 has to stay healthy and Jacques Smith will have to have a big year as a pass rusher.

Why they could be the division’s worst: While the starting 11 is strong, there is little to no depth in the front seven. The secondary was one of the league’s worst, and the Vols were the SEC’s worst overall defense in 2012. Playing devil’s advocate: what makes you think they will improve in 2013? They couldn’t tackle air last season, and they were out of position 90 percent of the time.

Vanderbilt Commodores

Last year’s defense: 5th in SEC
Why they could be the division’s best: Vandy’s defense is led by the talented and studly defensive secondary. This group finished third in the SEC last season, and they return three of four, including one of the SEC’s top cover corners in Andre Hal. The Commodores also built some depth at linebacker and along the defensive line this spring, looking for an improved top-five SEC defense overall.

Why they could be the division’s worst: While the secondary is much better than advertised, the defensive line has holes. Losing three veteran and stout starters is tough for any team to overcome, and the teeth of the defense at tackle has the biggest void of playmakers. SEC defensive strength starts in the trenches, and the Commodores are thin at the one position they need the most depth.

Photo Credit: Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports

He’s saying crazy things.

A major threat to any person of power is getting to that point where you are so powerful and so in control that people don’t tell you when you are making an ass of yourself. Nobody has the clout or the balls to check you. Instead, you are surrounded by sycophantic yes-men who make you believe that your crazy talk is not only logical but brilliant and needs to be said in public.  Bob Stoops has clearly reached that point.

Stoops doesn’t want you to believe the “propaganda” the media is pushing, telling you that the SEC is the best conference in college football. He’s decided to be the brave voice who finally gathers the courage to speak about this up against this injustice.

Stoops, attending his own Oklahoma football propaganda event called the Sooners Caravan at OU-Tulsa, needed to go public with his brilliant theory, and who is a better audience than a room full of adults who paid $30 and children who paid $15 just to be in his presence?  As the Tulsa World reported, Stoops told a Sooner obsessed crowd, “So they’ve had the best team in college football. They haven’t had the whole conference. Because, again, half of ‘em haven’t done much at all. I’m just asking you. You tell me.”

There is no gap between the SEC and the rest of college football according to Stoops. “Well, it depends on what gap you’re talking about,” Stoops said. “What are the bottom six doing?”

Because, you know, that’s how sane people judge things.

For example the media will call the Miami Heat the best team in basketball. They’ll point to Lebron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. But if you look closer you’ll notice that Joel Anthony averaged .4 points per game! Rashard Lewis only played in 5 games! How can a team that has Joel Anthony and Rashard Lewis on it possibly claim to be the best team in basketball! Top-to-bottom, people! Myth Busted!

If you are the kind of clown who believes propaganda you might believe that Tom Hanks is a great actor. You’re more than smart enough to figure it out. You could look at “Forrest Gump,” “Philadelphia,” “Cast Away,” “Apollo 13,” “Big,” or “Splash,” or you could look at a little pile of dog crap called “The Ladykillers”. Tom Hanks is top-heavy. Myth Busted!

Hollywood elitists will tell you that the Coen Brothers are amazing filmmakers. Sure, “No Country For Old Men,” “The Big Lebowski,” “Fargo,” and “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” are all amazing films, but how can you say they are great when on their resume is a little pile of dog crap called “The Ladykillers?!?!?!?!?” The Coen Brothers cast Marlon Wayans in a movie. Marlon Wayans! Myth Busted!

Because that is how we determine greatness. We look straight to the bottom. Stoops style.

You can’t look at stuff like rankings because those only the rank the top 25. What about the bottom? Ignore Alabama, Georgia, Texas A&M, South Carolina, Florida and LSU. Look at Vanderbilt! Oh, wait, they went 9-4 and won a bowl game and finished in the top 25… Ignore them!

Look to the bottom. Keep going past Ole Miss who won a bowl game, past Auburn who won a National Championship three years ago… Kentucky! Look at Kentucky! Kentucky is terrible. They went 0-8 in the SEC. They are a pathetic excuse for a football team. I feel bad for the poor bastard who has to coach that program. Who is coaching that program these days? Oh, it’s Mark Stoops… Oh… Well, then. At Christmas next year I’m sure Mark will love hearing Bob’s little theory about how overrated the SEC is after he plays Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia next season.

Big Game Bob hopes you keep your focus at the bottom on the pack in the SEC regular season. Don’t pay attention to bowl results. Ignore that the only time Oklahoma played an SEC team last season, Texas A&M, when they got smoked to the tune of 41-13. A&M tossed up 633 total yards on Bob Stoops’ defense. Ole Miss, one of those bottom six SEC teams, only gave up 481 total yards to A&M.

Ignore that Oklahoma played Notre Dame at home and lost 30-13, but when Alabama played Notre Dame on a neutral site, Alabama won 42-14.

Ignore National Champions.

Ignore the NFL. As the Tulsa World astutely points out, “as far as that bloated NFL Draft number – one-quarter of the total players drafted last week were from the SEC – it’s much the same way: 46 of the 63 came from the top half of the league. The other seven schools produced just 17 draft picks.” The bottom seven schools only produced 17 draft picks… only five fewer than the entire Big 12.

I wonder if Stoops started to second guess his hypothesis after Charlie Weis piped off in his support?  As offensive coordinator at Florida, Weis managed to lead the Gators to a 3-5 record in the SEC. As first year head coach at Kansas he lead the Jayhawks to a season opening win over San Diego State University before losing every other game. 0-9 in conference. He knows how to be terrible in both conferences.

Weis told ESPN.com, “I’m just sayin’, you look at the bottom of our league and the bottom of their league, just going based off the numbers, there’s validity in what he said.”

We are looking at the bottom of your league, Charlie. I’m just sayin’, you’re kind of hard to miss.

The most insane part of Stoops marching out as the debunker of the SEC Myth is that Oklahoma’s miserable resume against the SEC over the past decade is one of the biggest reasons why the SEC is so hyped. In 2003, LSU beat favored Oklahoma 21-14 to win the BCS National Championship. In 2008, Tim Tebow and Florida shut down the vaunted Oklahoma offense to win the BCS National Championship. And last year Texas A&M and Johnny Football demolished Oklahoma 41-13 in Dallas. Without Bob Stoops and Ohio State, I’m not sure the SEC Myth even exists.

Without Bob Stoops continually throwing up incredible regular seasons against Big 12 teams only to see embarrassing bowl losses to teams from other conferences, the Big 12 likely wouldn’t have the reputation of a second rate conference.

I question the mental state of Bob Stoops. How can a man with such a pathetic record in huge games against SEC teams possibly believe he should be the leader of the SEC Myth Busting Crusade?

I think he’s buying into the Bob Stoops Myth.

Previous positions:

• Quarterback
• Running back
• Wide Receivers
• Sack Masters
• Tacklers
• Top Pick Artists

I’m all about giving kickers some love on SDS. After all, they are the forgotten souls and the ones usually blamed for close losses. With the SEC’s top kicker in Florida’s Caleb Sturgis now graduated, Vandy’s Carey Spear is the top returner from 2012. He made 83.3 percent of his field goals.

This is not a ranking, and it’s based on field goal percentage:

1. Carey Spear, Vanderbilt
2012 stats: 20 of 24 FG (83.3%), 27 of 27 on PATs

2. Cody Parkey, Auburn
2012 stats: 11 of 14 FG (78.9%), 27 of 27 on PATs

3. Michael Palardy, Tennessee
2012 stats: 9 of 12 FG (75%), 37 of 40 on PATs

4. Andrew Baggett, Missouri
2012 stats: 14 of 20 FG (70%), 33 of 37 on PATs

5. Devon Bell, Mississippi State
2012 stats: 14 of 21 FG (66.7%), 43 of 44 on PATs

All stats based on CFBStats.com

Photo credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

Several teams have questions regarding backup plans if their starters – namely Johnny Manziel, AJ McCarron and Jeff Driskel – get hurt this season.

So, what are the SEC’s plans for backup quarterbacks? Which SEC team has the best backup plan, and which team has the worst?

Best backup plan: South Carolina

Skinny: Connor Shaw or Dylan Thompson? There’s been much debate about which player should start, all the while trying to stir up some sort of controversy. However, Steve Spurrier will start Shaw opening week, if he’s healthy, and Thompson should remain the best backup quarterback in the SEC. Thompson had ice water in his veins when he spelled Shaw throughout 2012, but Shaw remains the starter, for now. Spurrier sounds open to rotating quarterbacks this fall. Anyhow, if one gets hurt, the Gamecocks are in the best situation to plug the other in.

Worst backup plan: Florida

Skinny: Jeff Driskel returns as the starter. But after Driskel, things get really cloudy. Last year’s backup Jacoby Brissett transferred to NC State, leaving Tyler Murphy and Skyler Mornhinweg as the backups this spring. Neither have any relevant game experience. Florida does have true freshman Max Staver coming this summer, but he’ll join the line of zero experience, too. The Gators just better hope that Driskel stays healthy the entire season, but with a running quarterback, there will always be questions regarding his health. Florida is arguably in the worst situation if Driskel goes down.

Here’s the skinny on the rest of the SEC’s backup plans:

Alabama
Starter: AJ McCarron
Backup: Phillip Ely, Blake Sims or Alec Morris
Buzz: Phillip Ely and Blake Sims continue to battle for the Bama backup job. Sims was named the official backup for the spring game, but aside from McCarron, freshman Alec Morris looked the best out of any of the quarterbacks on A-Day.

Arkansas
Starter: Brandon Allen
Backup: AJ Derby
Buzz: Since backup Brandon Mitchell elected to transfer, AJ Derby jumps into the No. 2 slot. However, freshmen Austin Allen and Damon Mitchell could pass him up in fall camp.

Auburn
Starter: Kiehl Frazier or Jonathan Wallace
Buzz: Auburn will have five quarterbacks to choose from in fall camp. Returners Kiehl Frazier and Jonathan Wallace welcome newcomers Jeremy Johnson, Nick Marshall and Jason Smith. One of the newcomers could win the job, but Frazier should get the opening week nod.

Georgia
Starter: Aaron Murray
Backup: Hutson Mason
Buzz: If Aaron Murray were to get hurt, Hutson Mason would be the first off the bench. Mason hasn’t seen live bullets yet, but he’s a better option than Christian LeMay and Parker Welch exiting spring.

Kentucky
Starter: Jalen Whitlow, Patrick Towles or Max Smith
Buzz: Kentucky quarterbacks may battle the entire season and week to week for the starting job. Jalen Whitlow looks like the guy right now, with Max Smith right behind him. Patrick Towles could be third on the depth chart.

LSU
Starter: Zach Mettenberger
Backup: Stephen Rivers
Buzz: LSU hopes Zach Mettenberger has a big senior season, and backup Stephen Rivers is getting some great experience under new OC Cam Cameron. The Tigers will live and die with Mett in 2013, but they are in good hands for the future with Rivers.

Mississippi State
Starter: Tyler Russell
Backup: Dak Prescott
Buzz: Dan Mullen hopes Tyler Russell has a monster senior season, while prepping Dak Prescott to take over full time in 2014. Prescott fits more of what Mullen wants to do on offense, and he’ll be a solid option in 2014.

Missouri
Starter: James Franklin
Backup: Maty Mauk
Buzz: Maty Mauk had a strong spring, but it wasn’t enough to make Gary Pinkel replace James Franklin. I assume Franklin will be on a short leash come September, with Mauk waiting in the wings.

Ole Miss
Starter: Bo Wallace
Backup: Barry Brunetti or Maikhail Miller
Buzz: Bo Wallace returns from offseason shoulder surgery, and next to Florida, Ole Miss arguably has one of the worst backup plans in case Wallace goes down. Neither Brunetti nor Miller gave anyone comfort in a case of ‘what if’ regarding Wallace and the offense in 2013.

Tennessee
Starter: Justin Worley or Nathan Peterman
Buzz: Neither Justin Worley nor Nathan Peterman pulled away in the quarterback race this spring, leaving an ensuing battle in fall camp. But rest assured, neither may be the future for the Vols with Josh Dobbs and Riley Ferguson coming this summer.

Texas A&M
Starter: Johnny Manziel
Backup: Matt Davis or Matt Joeckel
Buzz: Johnny Manziel went from redshirt freshman to Heisman winner in 12 games, and his backup plan is still working itself out with Matt Davis and Matt Joeckel continuing battling it out. Last year’s backup Jameill Showers transferred.

Vanderbilt
Starter: Austyn Carta-Samuels
Backup: Patton Robinette
Buzz: Austyn Carta-Samuels continually pulled away from Patton Robinette this spring, as most thought he would, but Robinette is just one play away from taking over the Dores’ offense. ACS has more experience, while Robinette is probably more athletic. It’s a good problem to have if you’re James Franklin.

Photo Credit: Jeff Blake-US PRESSWIRE

Previous positions:

• Quarterback
• Running back
• Wide Receivers
• Sack Masters
• Tacklers

The SEC said goodbye to some of its leading defenders who notched league-leading interceptions, including Darius Slay, Johnthan Banks and Matt Elam. Tennessee’s Byron Moore and Slay topped the SEC with five interceptions in 2012, and Moore returns to the Vols’ secondary, hoping to have a much better year this fall. Alabama’s HaHa Clinton-Dix and Georgia’s Damian Swann finished right behind Moore with four interceptions each in 2012.

This is not a ranking, and it’s based on the most interceptions:

1. Byron Moore, DB, Tennessee
2012 INTs: 5

3. HaHa Clinton-Dix, DB, Alabama
2012 INTs: 4

3. Damian Swann, DB, Georgia
2012 INTs: 4

10. Craig Loston, DB, LSU
2012 INTs: 3

10. Senquez Golson, DB, Ole Miss
2012 INTs: 3

10. Dehendret Collins, DB, Ole Miss
2012 INTs: 3

10. Jimmy Legree, DB, South Carolina
2012 INTs: 3

10. Nickoe Whitley, DB, Miss State
2012 INTs: 3

10. Denzel Nkemdiche, LB, Ole Miss
2012 INTs: 3

10. Jaylen Watkins, DB, Florida
2012 INTs: 3

All stats based on CFBStats.com

Photo Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

The Vols have the most commitments in the SEC with 12, and Butch Jones is selling the Tennessee brand in a major way.

Five-star RB Jalen Hurd is the Pied Piper of the Vols’ class, and safety Todd Kelly is right behind him. Tennessee currently has two running backs committed, filling a major talent and depth hole in the roster moving forward. We’ll find out whether Tennessee can land the SEC’s top-rated class with more big-time commitments coming from Vol legacies.

Kentucky scored a commitment from four-star QB Drew Barker. Barker committed to the Wildcats over the Gamecocks, giving Mark Stoops another highly touted prospect heading his way. Do you think the Air Raid offense was attractive for Barker?

Rankings are based on composite team rankings from 247Sports.com.

LSU
10 commitments
No. 1 class in SEC
No. 2 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 5* JUCO WR D’Haquille Williams
Headlined by 5* S Edward Paris, 4* OG Garrett Brumfield and 4* S Devin Voorhies

Texas A&M
10 commitments
No. 2 class in SEC
No. 3 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 4* OLB Hoza Scott
Headlined by 4* CB Nick Harvey, 4* RB Varshaun Nixon and 4* S Dylan Summer-Gardner

Tennessee
12 commitments
No. 3 class in SEC
No. 4 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 5* RB Jalen Hurd
Headlined by 4* S Todd Kelly, 4* CB D’Andre Payne and 3* RB Treyvon Paulk 

Florida
9 commitments
No. 4 class in SEC
No. 5 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 5* RB Dalvin Cook
Headlined by 4* QB Will Grier, 4* WR Ryeshene Bronson and 4* OLB Christian Miller

Ole Miss
9 commitments
No. 5 class in SEC
No. 9 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 4* OT Andy Bauer
Headlined by 4* ATH Jeremy Liggins, 4* S CJ Hampton and 4* RB DK Buford

Alabama
6 commitments
No. 6 class in SEC
No. 15 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 5* ATH Bo Scarbrough
Headlined by 4* CB Kalvaraz Bessent, 4* LB Zach Whitley and 4* LB Shaun Hamilton

Vanderbilt
8 commitments
No. 7 class in SEC
No. 16 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 4* RB Mikale Wilbon
Headlined by 3* S Emmanuel Smith, 3* OG Jashon Robertson and 3* QB KJ Carta-Samuels

Auburn
6 commitments
No. 8 class in SEC
No. 20 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 4* LB Tre’ Williams
Headlined by 4* S Derrick Moncrief, 4* LB De’Shaun Davis and 3* RB Kamryn Pettway

Georgia
5 commitments
No. 9 class in SEC
No. 21 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 4* RB Sony Michel
Headlined by 4* DT Dontavius Russell, 4* S Nick Glass and 4* TE Jeb Blazevich

Kentucky
6 commitments
No. 10 class in SEC
No. 23 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 4* QB Drew Barker
Other committed prospect: 3* ILB Dorian Hendrix, 3* WR Thaddeus Snodgrass and 3* RB Mikel Horton

Missouri
7 commitments
No. 11 class in SEC
No. 35 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 3* S Greg Taylor
Headlined by 3* OLB Grant Jones, 3* WR Thomas Richard and 3* OT Kevin Pendleton

Arkansas
4 commitments
No. 12 class in SEC
No. 36 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 4* DT Bijhon Jackson
Headlined by 4* Dual-threat QB Rafe Peavy, 3* TE Jack Kraus and 3* RB Juan Day

South Carolina
3 commitments
No. 13 class in SEC
No. 46 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 4* OLB Bryson Allen-Williams
Headlined by 3* TE Kalan Ritchie and 3* LB Joe Blue

Mississippi State
3 commitments
No. 14 class in SEC
No. 58 class in the country
Top committed prospect: 4* ATH Jamoral Graham
Headlined by 3* RB Dontavian Lee and 3* ATH Nikia Cathey

Photo Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports

Previous positions:

• Quarterback
• Running back
• Wide Receiver
• Sack Masters

I can’t say enough good things about Tennessee’s AJ Johnson. Not only does he eat up ball carriers, but he also ran in a team-high six touchdowns in goal line situations. The notable returner of the top 10 is Alabama’s CJ Mosley. He was considered an upper-round pick of this year’s draft, and he’s one of the country’s best linebackers in coverage.

This is not a ranking, and it’s based on total tackles:

1. AJ Johnson, LB, Tennessee
2012 stats: 138 tackles

2. Avery Williamson, LB, Kentucky
2012 stats: 135 tackles

3. CJ Mosley, LB, Alabama
2012 stats: 107 tackles

4. Lamin Barrow, LB, LSU
2012 stats: 104 tackles

5. Benardrick McKinney, LB, Miss State
2012 stats: 102 tackles

6. Alvin Dupree, DE/LB, Kentucky
2012 stats: 91 tackles

7. Kenny Ladler, S, Vanderbilt
2012 stats: 90 tackles

8. Demetruce McNeal, DB, Auburn
2012 stats: 90 tackles

All stats based on CFBStats.com

Photo Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

For the past few days, SEC athletic directors have been meeting in Jacksonville, and the item foremost on the agenda is whether the conference will move from an eight- to a nine-game league schedule. All this discussion is just a primer for the big show in Destin at the SEC spring meetings, where the nine-game schedule debate will be the most pressing issue among the coaches.

“One thing about the SEC is the First Amendment is alive and well,” SEC commissioner Mike Slive said at last week’s announcement of the SEC Network. “So, we have a lot of discussion about scheduling, and as you know last year in the spring, we voted to do the 6-1-1, but I do anticipate additional discussion about scheduling. I expect that our coaches, our athletic directors and our presidents will engage in a significant conversations about future scheduling in the months ahead.”

Nine games for 2014 and 2015 seem to be out of the picture, for now. But it’s more of a long-term debate and issue for the conference moving forward. Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity said several weeks ago that an eight-game schedule for 2014 and the next couple years should be approved soon. CBSSports’ Tony Barnhart also reported that the SEC will stick to an eight-game slate for the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

In the short term it looks like the eight-game schedule will stay in place. CBSSports.com has been told that the scheduling formats for 2014 and 2015 will be presented in Destin and both seasons call for an eight-game model.

Mike Slive also alluded to revealing the immediate future schedule in Destin later this month, or perhaps even sooner.

Since 1992, when the SEC expanded to 12 teams, they started playing eight conference games. The current 6-1-1 format has received some opposition from coaches, especially regarding permanent cross-divisional rivalries. LSU’s Les Miles has been the most outspoken about finding another system to pick the cross-divisional games.

Whether or not the SEC should move to nine games has been highly contested and continually debated. One obvious hurdle to a nine-game schedule is keeping in-state rivalries (Georgia-Georgia Tech, South Carolina-Clemson, Kentucky-Louisville, Florida-Florida State) intact. And most think the new network will be the main decision maker for eventually going to a nine-game slate, but I think it will be based more on playoff positioning.

With the new College Football Playoff coming the same year as the SEC Network, it’s not out of the question the 2014 schedule, which should be announced in the immediate future, could be ripped up and the conference move into the direction of a nine-game conference slate the very first year of the playoff. Strength of schedule will play a part in the playoff committee’s eyes, and if it’s deemed the best route for future playoff positioning, the SEC will absolutely go that route.

However, for now, it seems the SEC will stick to an eight-game conference schedule through 2015.

Photo Credit: Kelly Lambert-USA TODAY Sports

Previous positions:

• Quarterback
• Running back

The SEC returns three 1,000-yard receivers. Vandy’s Jordan Matthews is coming off a spectacular junior season where he registered 94 (94!) catches that led the conference. I named Mike Evans ‘Radius’ because he catches everything thrown his direction, and finally there’s Amari Cooper, who may be the best overall receiver in the country in 2013, coming off a spectacular and crucial showing as a freshman.

This is not a ranking, and it’s based on receiving yardage:

1. Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt
2012 stats: 94 catches for 1,323 yards and 8 TDs

2. Mike Evans, Texas A&M
2012 stats: 82 catches for 1,105 yards and 5 TDs

3. Amari Cooper, Alabama
2012 stats: 59 catches for 1,000 yards and 11 TDs

4. Donte Moncrief, Ole Miss
2012 stats: 66 catches for 979 yards and 10 TDs

5. Chris Boyd, Vanderbilt
2012 stats: 50 catches for 774 yards and 5 TDs

6. Odell Beckham, LSU
2012 stats: 43 catches for 713 yards and 2 TDs

7. Bruce Ellington, South Carolina
2012 stats: 40 catches for 600 yards and 7 TDs

8. Jarvis Landry, LSU
2012 stats: 56 catches for 573 yards and 5 TDs

9. Malcolm Mitchell, Georgia
2012 stats: 40 catches for 572 yards and 4 TDs

10. Marcus Lucas, Missouri
2012 stats: 46 catches for 509 yards and 3 TDs

Alabama could have the best receiving corps in the country led by Cooper. Returning is Kevin Norwood, Kenny Bell and Christion Jones, along with a slew of other up-and coming youngsters. AJ McCarron’s options will be unlimited.

Arkansas has four primary receivers who will catch Brandon Allen’s passes. Demetrius Wilson, Julian Horton and Javontee Herndon are three to watch, but look out for rising sophomore Mekale McKay.

Auburn is still searching for their wide receivers. Jaylon Denson is really the only one to have locked up a starting job this spring, with Sammie Coates, Trovon Reed and Quan Bray, among others, looking to emerge more reliable and break into the starting role.

Much like Auburn, Florida is looking for someone – anyone – to emerge as a leading receiver. Look for Quinton Dunbar and freshman Demarcus Robinson to start this fall.

Georgia is stacked at receiver with Mitchell headlining the group. Michael Bennett returns from injury, and Chris Conley and Justin Scott-Wesley should be more reliable this fall. Aaron Murray will have weapons on the outside.

Kentucky is lacking in receiver depth, but Demarco Robinson has some of the best skill-sets of any receiver in the league. Also, DeMarcus Sweat should play a much bigger role in the new Air Raid offense in 2013.

LSU has a chance to have a sexy receiver tandem of Landry and Beckham, and don’t forget about solid contributor Kadron Boone. Beckham and Landry’s numbers will increase with a better passing game.

Robert Johnson, Jameon Lewis and Joe Morrow are the new trio Mississippi State and Tyler Russell are counting on. Each are solid contributors but not proven and inexperienced. Look for one to emerge as a legit receiver in the SEC.

Dorial Green-Beckham, Marcus Lucas and L’Damian Washington are a formidable trio for Missouri and James Franklin. However, DGB has more upside at receiver than anyone in the conference not named Donte Moncrief or Amari Cooper.

And speaking of Moncrief, he leads Ole Miss’ receivers and could be the best receiver in the conference right now. He headlines the group, but Vince Sanders and Ja-Mes Logan will have another big year for Bo Wallace.

The Gamecocks are looking for Ace Sanders’ replacement. While Bruce Ellington will be a solid contributor, Shaq Roland and Kwinton Smith have big futures ahead. Don’t think just because Sanders is gone that USC won’t have any legit receivers.

I would argue the weakest position of Tennessee’s team remains at receiver. Pig Howard and Vincent Dallas should make plays, but outside of those two, true freshmen will have to step in immediately.

Mike Evans leads a deep and talented receiving corps for the Aggies. Malcome Kennedy and a slew of newcomers will get their feet wet immediately in 2013. Watch out for transfer JaQuay Williams to have a big year.

The Commodores have one of the best one-two receiving options in the league. Jordan Matthews and Chris Boyd combined for 144 catches for 2,097 yards and 13 touchdowns. Both are legit receivers and could start for any SEC team.

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