SEC Preseason Power Rankings Part Two
Posted on | August 17, 2009 | No Comments
SEC Preseason Power Rankings Part Two.
You want to know how I’m feeling about the SEC? I’ll tell you. Three weeks before the season starts? We know nothing. Does that mean I know everything? I’d like to think so. But if I’m wrong? I’ll disavow any knowledge of this post.
1. Florida 12-0 (8-0) 1st in the SEC East It’s for obvious reasons. The defense returns 11 starters from a team that shut down Oklahoma. There will be no offense in the SEC that’s going even come close to matching Oklahoma in terms of skill and talent. Until they lose? They kind of have this locked in.
2. LSU 11-1 (7-1) 1st in the SEC West The riverboat gambler had a ridiculous amount of picks returned for 6 last season. He has a mobile quarterback without the actafoolery of a Ryan Perriloux. He has a lot to like about his offense. But there is shaky on the defensive side of the ball. Florida can get a stop.
3. Alabama 9-3 (6-2) 2nd in the SEC West This isn’t going to be a magical run for the roses. The offensive line was a part of what was so good about this team. Greg McElroy will probably be able to overcome John Parker Wilson. Julio Jones is going to be awesome. But who’s going to play Andre Smith?
4. Arkansas 9-3 (5-3) t3rd in the SEC West A solid offense led by a transfer quarterback and a strong pass rush was what made Ole Miss everybody’s favorite for this season after a surprising 2008. But here’s the thing. Arkansas has exactly the same sort of skills that Ole Miss had. But the difference? Arkansas has the same skills without the expectations.
5. Georgia 8-4 (6-2) 2nd in the SEC East They’ll be healthier. They still have A.J. Green as an offensive weapon. But the team on paper? Just kind of vibes a trip to the Outback Steakhouse bowl.
6. Ole Miss 9-3 (5-3) t3rd in the SEC West I am baffled as to everybody’s regard for this team as a BCS buster. Houston Nutt has had multiple chances in Arkansas with enough talent to go to the BCS. He has failed every time. The expectations game is something that he does not manage very well. And while they may be strong enough to replace Peria Jerry, can they fade losing Michael Oher?
7. Tennessee 9-3 (5-3) 3rd in the SEC East I know you have to love the savior faire and derring-do of Eric Berry. I know I do. And the backfield is going to be very interesting for the Vols. But here’s the thing. They have Jonathan Crompton at quarterback. He was that bad last season. This team could climb up. But I don’t trust it.
8. South Carolina 5-7 (2-6) t5th in the SEC East As you can tell I am dubious to any claim of divinity for Stephen Garcia. With the same sort of quarterback problems and no real answer for the loss of Kenny McKinley, this is a team that could fall off a cliff toward the end of a season. Spurrier may be back at the golf course sooner than you think.
9. Vanderbilt 5-7 (2-6) t5th in the SEC East This is the same sort of scenario as the Gamecocks. The defense will be strong, the offense will be shaky. You don’t have Alphonso Smith D.J. Moore this year. So you lose that home run threat. You lose out on the bowl.
10. Auburn 5-7 (1-7) 5th in the SEC West The offense probably won’t be nearly as tremendously awful as it was last year. However? The defense isn’t going to be as good as it was last year. And Gene Chizik’s coaching skill seems destined for nothing.
11. Kentucky 5-7 (1-7) 6th in the SEC East It’s not as if Jeremy Jarmon’s run to Washington killed this teams hopes. Expectations were tampered and this was a team that did go 2-6 in the SEC least season. They still have some offensive whimsy in terms of Randall Cobb and Alfonso Smith. But they’re about 9 pieces away on defense. The cornerback across from Trevard Lindley, if he can bear the burden (Get it?) will go a long way to get this team to another bowl.
12. Mississippi State 2-10 (0-8) 6th in the SEC West. The only thing that Mississippi State can hope for right now is that they can go and Croom some team this year. It’s a team that looks like they’re going to be ugly bad. They can stop people, but you get the sense that the only way they could put up 30 is if the defense was 9 of you readers, Ethan and myself.
Related posts:
- SEC Football Preseason Predictions and Power Rankings, 2009
- SEC Football 2008 Season Predictions
- Auburn vs Tennessee, Prediction, 2008
- SEC Football Blogger Power Poll week 5
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