Fueled by rash and aggressive speculation, here are the five boldest predictions for the SEC’s offseason, pulling no punches:
1. We’ll suffer from debate fatigue over whether the SEC is still the top conference in football
Are you already sick of it? Whether or not it has any merit, we’ll all get tired of talking heads around the country arguing for or against why the SEC is still the nation’s best conference. Just know that it is; true, this was a down year overall, but college football is cyclical. Just pay it no mind, but warning: you’ll get fatigue over this issue in the offseason.
2. Shane Ray will win the NFL Combine
The dude is a freak. Ray is an elite athlete, and while I love his physical ability, he has a relentless desire to own the backfield on every play. When NFL talent evaluators turn on his tape, it’s too obvious to ignore. Ray is worthy to be a top-five pick, and he’ll prove it at the NFL Combine. Scouts and general managers won’t be able to stop talking about this cat from Missouri, and he has an attitude and swagger that’s edgy and well-worthy to make one team jump in the top three.
3. Georgia won’t have the most players arrested
Perhaps the biggest stretch of the five, Georgia won’t rack up Fulmer Cup points this offseason like last offseason…or every offseason for that matter. Now, I’m not ready to predict which team will have the biggest discipline issues this spring and summer, but mark it down: it won’t be Georgia.
4. SEC will receive an impact quarterback transfer
Only two sure-fire quarterbacks are out there: Ohio State’s Braxton Miller and Notre Dame’s Everett Golson. The stronger possibility exists that Golson will transfer to an SEC school, and Miller could decide on Florida State now that Jamies Winston is headed for the NFL Draft. Between the two, one will come to the SEC. That’s the prediction. The best landing place for either would be LSU under offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. Let’s make it happen!
5. Florida will sign three of the country’s top five recruits
It will be a strong close for Jim McElwain and the Florida Gators on National Signing Day. The No. 1 player in the country in offensive tackle Martez Ivey will sign with the Gators. Fellow five-star defensive linemen Byron Cowart and CeCe Jefferson will also ink with the Gators. McElwain understands the SEC is a line of scrimmage league, and he’ll sign three studs around whom to build his program in the first two months on the job.
Even wilder predictions after sipping some Bourbon:
Will Muschamp won’t coach at Auburn
Ever heard of Dan Quinn? He’s the hottest NFL coaching candidate as the Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator, and he’ll likely get the Atlanta Falcons job. What does this have to do with Will Muschamp? Muschamp gave Quinn his first big-time coordinator job with the Florida Gators. So, naturally, who do you think will be Quinn’s first call after he gets an NFL job? Will Muschamp. Could Muschamp turn Quinn down to become his defensive coordinator?
It’s the beginning of the end for Steve Spurrier
Steve Spurrier is almost 70 years old. Do you think he wants to keep recruiting? Doubt it. South Carolina’s recruiting class has unraveled since the season ended, and without a settled signal caller and a pulse of a defense, Spurrier will do some thinking this offseason. He has repeatedly said he’s got a few more years left as a head coach, but it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see him hang ‘em up early. Will he retire in 2015? Nah, I’m not predicting that, but it’s time for Spurrier to relax on the beach somewhere with his wife and children. If South Carolina finishes .500 again in 2015, things will get interesting.
A graduate of the University of Florida and founder of Saturday Down South, Kevin is a college football enthusiast.
