Also, 2010 brought us newcomers such as South Carolina with freshman phenom Marcus Latimore. Most people have South Carolina repeating as East Champs this year since they will be returning much of their core team from last year. I believe they will make it to Atlanta again, but their record will not be improved. I still don't have faith in Stephen Garcia. I believe he will have some bonehead games where he puts the ball on the ground or throws it to the other team. So all in all for South Carolina, they go to Atlanta but they will get beat by the west again.
Finally, we were shocked that an Urben Myer Florida and yet again an over-hyped Georgia were unable to do anything in the east. Georgia's fate was sealed when they had to sit A.J. Green for the first four games of the season. Though they still put themselves in contention late in the season, the first four defined them. Florida tried everything to stay on top in year one after Tebow but never could get a rhythem on offense to do so. Expect a lot of growing pains this year with a new head coach and a new offensive system. I think Florida will return in 2012.
Now, the time has come for my predictions on the year. Surely you have heard everyone else say that Alabama, LSU or Arkansas will win the west and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida or Tennessee will win the east. Well here is not only my preseason prediction but my explanation as well.
East
South Carolina- Though I don't put much stock in Stephen Garcia, I believe that his receiver Alshon Jefferys and running back Marcus Latimore will put him back in Atlanta. However, South Carolina will lose four games this year all to the west including the SEC Championship game. I expect to see them with a 9-4 record going into the Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl.
Georgia- The first two games will determine Georgia's season. First, they will have to play Boise St., a team with one of the highest winning percentages the past few years. Now, you may be saying that Boise can't compete with the SEC. In a one game playoff anything can happen. Georgia's second game will be against the reigning eastern division champions, South Carolina. I believe Georgia passes the first test but gets beat week two and thus being the game that gives the east to South Carolina. Georgia will take an 8-4 record into the Gator Bowl.
Florida- I believe Florida to be mediocre again as they will experience growing pains in the first year of Coach Will Muschamp and Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weiss' first season. The Gators will run into a tough stretch in October losing three consecutive games against Alabama, LSU and Auburn. They will lose two of the final three games to close out the season with a 7-5 record and a birth to the BBVA Bowl in Birmingham. The only reason they would be in Florida for a bowl game is if they are invited to the Gator Bowl for reasons of fan base and sending UGA to Birmingham.
Tennessee- Tennessee is almost there. They have a great young quarterback in Tyler Bray who could lead them to a championship in the coming seasons, but they are like everyone else a year away.
Tennessee will end the year having lost to Florida, South Carolina and Georgia en route to a 7-5 season and a birth in the Music city bowl.
Kentucky- After losing one of the most dynamic do-it-all players last year in Randall Cobb and star running back Derrick Locke, Kentucky will finish at an even .500 and heading to Memphis for the Liberty Bowl.
Vanderbilt- New head coach James Franklin is supposedly tearing up the recruiting trail. This won't affect them this year. They will finish last in the east and overall with a 3-9 record.
West
Alabama- I am a homer and still couldn't conjour up a way that Alabama would fall. The only game that i have them losing is Auburn. Part of this is my biased opinion. The other part is the game will be at Auburn. Now,Alabama will be fired up due to last years melt down. The defense is returning a ton of starters that have a bad taste in their mouths. Nick Saban has a bad taste in his mouth. Auburn will be immensly better at the end of the season than the beginning and thus beating Alabama. The Crimson Tied will go to the National Championship game in New Orleans with a 12-1 record and win. SEC wins number 6 in a row
LSU- I have a flawed view of LSU making the National Championship run because the last two times the Championship game has been in their backyard, LSU has not only gone but won it. Since I couldnt find a way to get LSU in, I have the second best thing, the Sugar Bowl. I can't wrap my head around Jordan Jefferson having consistent success the entire season. However, "The Mad Hatter" and co. will find a way to go 11-1 losing only to Alabama in Tuscaloosa en route to the Sugar Bowl.
Arkansas- Arkansas is everyone's dark horse with Tyler Wilson as the new quarterback and his performance against Auburn last year has helped vault the Razorbacks into contention for the west and even a National Championship. The rest of the major contributors of the Razorbacks will be returning like Greg Childs and Niles Davis. Everybody believes this is Bobby Petrino's year and with all do respect to him and his success he still has never done it on this stage. With losses on the road to LSU and Alabama, Arkansas will go 10-2 and accept a Cotton Bowl bid.
Auburn- Yes Auburn will be fourth in the west and with double digit wins. Your eyes do not deceive you. I am predicting a 10-2 record for the Tigers with losses at LSU and at Arkansas. Auburn will have a whole new team from what we saw last year. As long as they can get over MSU and Clemson early and start 4-0, I believe they will have a great season. The tumultuous stretch in October is one to keep an eye on as well. I have them going 3-2 in October and finish with wins over UGA and Alabama on their way to the Captial One Bowl.
Mississippi State- Dan Mullen has talent and depth in Starkville and they are ready to destroy hopes and dreams of other teams. They are tired of being whipped around. I have them going 7-5 but they could easily be a 9-3 or 10-2 team. They have both Alabama and LSU at home and could easily beat Auburn on the road. This is my dark horse in the west, not necessarily as a winner but as a team that could decide the west just by keeping certain teams from Atlanta. State picks up an Outback Bowl birth this season.
Ole Miss- Like Vanderbilt, I don't see much potential in them this season. They go 4-8 and go home early.
Tell me what you think.
