2010 SEC Early Outlook
By: Nelly's Sportsline
The SEC finished on top of college football once again last season but the top contenders look a bit less secure on top of the conference this season. The SEC may have a tougher time putting a team in the title game this season but there should again be several high quality teams with the potential to make national noise. Here is an early look at the two divisions in the SEC for 2010.
SEC EAST
There was some drama this winter at Florida but Coach Meyer appears back to health and although some familiar pieces of his dynasty are gone, this is still an elite national contending program. Replacing Tim Tebow will be a tall order in many ways but junior John Brantley has appeared in several games and should be suited for the role although he is not likely to post big rushing statistics. Florida also returns several talented rushers to help the cause on offense and the O-line should be one of the best in the nation with four starters returning. This team is not as strong as last year ' s squad and the schedule will be more difficult but there is enough to win this division. The window of opportunity may be there for South Carolina to have a breakthrough season. The results have been decent under Steve Spurrier but more has been expected. This year a veteran offense should provide more consistent production and the defense can be even better with an influx of young talent. The Gamecocks must play at Florida but the rest of the SEC schedule lines up fairly well for a strong season.
In his tenth season Mark Richt is facing added pressure at Georgia after his worst season in 2009. The Bulldogs return ten starters on offense but the QB is the lone replacement. A new defensive scheme can provide a boost but the Bulldogs lost several players from last year's team. Georgia draws a road heavy schedule but this team should be in the mix for the East title. A very tough opening schedule could undue Tennessee although matching last season's record is more than possible. The six toughest games on the schedule occur in the first eight games and given the transition and mostly inexperience on offense it could be a rough start in Knoxville. Derek Dooley can eventually have success here but Vols fans will likely need to be very patient in year one.
Rich Brooks departs Kentucky and the transition should be fairly smooth as Joker Phillips has been the coordinator and much of the staff remains. The Wildcats have been to four straight bowl games and getting there again this season is a possibility but it will take a few upsets. The non-conference schedule is favorable and the SEC schedule while still difficult, is better than most. There are play-makers on the offense although the defense looks vulnerable. After going to a bowl game in 2008 Vanderbilt took a steep fall last season to go 2-10 with no SEC wins. The opportunities for conference wins will be few and far between again this season but there is experienced leadership in key spots on this team. This is a rebuilding year for Vanderbilt but surpassing last season's record is likely.
SEC WEST
After allowing less than twelve points per game on defense last season Alabama will be the heavy favorites in West but only two starters return on defense. The offense also must replace most of the offensive line despite returning the high profile players. Alabama also has a much tougher schedule than many of the West teams and every conference road game will be a challenge. The Tide have squeaked by in several games the last two years and they may get caught this season although this is still a serious national title contending program. Even with a national championship team back in this division the SEC West could be a wide open race. The team that draws the best schedule is Auburn and the Tigers have the potential to make a serious run this season. Auburn must play at Alabama but the rest of the road games can produce wins and if the Tigers can hold home field they can be a surprise winner here. The QB position has been a headache for Auburn fans in recent seasons and that could be the case again this year but the defense should show significant improvement and the offensive line can help the offense through some growing pains.
Scoring points will not be a problem for Arkansas but the expectations are likely a bit too high for this team coming off a strong 8-5 campaign in 2009. The schedule is very difficult and while this is a veteran team there have been few high quality wins delivered under Coach Petrino, while going 1-8 in road games. Another strong season is in the works for the Razorbacks but a SEC title is not. Statistically LSU was a much worse team than the 9-4 record indicated and there are only ten starters back for the Tigers in 2010. There are not many breaks on this schedule with two very difficult non-conference foes and after averaging only 24 points per game last season the Tigers do not appear to have the offense to keep up in this division. A similar year to 2009 is the most likely scenario as there is enough talent to compete with anyone.
Last year was supposed to be the big breakthrough season for Mississippi. A 9-4 season and a Cotton Bowl victory was a solid result but the Rebels did the same thing in 2008. The schedule sets up will for Ole Miss to have a better season than most might expect given that the big names on offense have departed. While on paper Mississippi does not look like a contender in the SEC, the Rebels are just a few upsets away from having a great season. Winnable games in the non-conference schedule should allow Mississippi State to have another respectable season. This should be a very solid defensive team and Coach Mullen has the program headed in the right direction.