Which SEC Teams Have The Best Chance of the National Championship?
Posted on | February 15, 2011 | 1 Comment
Mettrenberger is the new Newton?
Which SEC Teams Have The Best Chance of the National Championship?
So here we are in February, post signing-day, pre-spring ball. It’s time to get creative. And for today? We’re going to borrow a bit of content from Phil Steele and his projections of the national championship. The odds are from bodog.com. And I will bring my own thoughts to the matter.
Tennessee (125/1)
Fair odds. This is going to be a good team, but a flawed team. The front seven look to have several holes that need to be filled, and even a decent prospect like a Curt Maggitt is going to have a chance to make an impact. That’s without mentioning Janzen Jackson leaving or Brent Brewer doing something Urban Meyer would only suspend for one game. The fact that Gerald Jones and Luke Stocker are going to be in the NFL next year should be less of a problem. Tyler Bray should have a more cohesive and thus better line for next year.
Georgia (50/1)
Probably a little bit of a stretch. Granted Aaron Murray has a senior oriented line, and the immortal Orson Charles to throw to. But unless Isaiah Crowell is as good as everyone says? One of last years bugaboos will carry on into 2011. Defensively? They’re also Senior oriented, but that being said? Justin Houston’s gone and no one else got sacks last year.
Auburn (50/1)
They have Dyer and McCalebb, but very little else coming back. I’ve already mentioned that October is going to kill their chances. Fact of the matter? Even at 50 to 1 it’s a sucker bet to pick Auburn for future success. Barrett Trotter may be 75% as dynamic as Cam Newton, but any talk of future championships only comes if they get to Halloween unbeaten.
Ole Miss (50/1)
Sucker bet. The terrible defense from last year loses 2 starters in the secondary, two starters at linebacker, and three out of the top four tacklers. Not to mention the fact that there’s going to be yet another quarterback controversy. And the dynamic athlete Jesse Grandy? Gone to somewhere else. Best odds for an under .500 team.
Mississippi State (50/1)
The offensive line will need to replace a first round pick in Derek Sherrod and a solid starter in J.C. Brigone. That means Vick Ballard is going to find somewhat tougher sledding. The defense is going to need to replace every linebacker and Pernell McPhee. Also, the SEC West is tougher than leather. The Bulldogs aren’t bad, but they’re not gonna beat Alabama.
South Carolina (50/1)
I was not surprised to see this already climb to 35 to 1 on the basis of the signing of the immortal Jadeveon Clowney. But that being said? You still have Lattimore and Jeffery. And there is definitely a window where it could come down to a one game playoff for the National Championship, and I tell you what. I wouldn’t bet against the ol’ Ball Coach.
Arkansas (30/1)
When you look at their Rivals depth chart and you see that they are starting three freshmen on the offensive line going into spring ball, you understand why the odds have dropped to 50/1. But that being said? Knile Davis is back. Joe Adams and Greg Childs are back. But they need to get the line together quickly.
Florida (16/1)
Sucker bet. Three reasons as to why. One, with the offensive switch, there becomes an onus on the running back. And unless Mike Blakely is ready for battle? They don’t have that. For two? They need to replace three offensive linemen. For three? They never really had a pass catcher of note outside of Chris Rainey last year. For four? Who’s gonna rush the passer? They may not be down for long, but this year will not be their time.
LSU (12/1)
The most interesting battle of the SEC is here. If Zack Mettenberger is the guy that’s going to be quarterback? You could see this offense start clicking. This team went 11-2 last year almost despite itself. The defense does have potential holes at defensive tackle, and need to replace Kelvin Sheppard and Pat Peterson. But that being said? This is a top five team and the odds are treated as such.
Alabama (11/2)
One of the few teams with stronger odds than “the field,” it’s a rare situation where a team could lose three first round picks and find their way into the National Championship. The offensive line that was occasionally troubled at times last year? They should be in better shape. The defense? Outside of a pass rush, it will be very strong again. If A.J. McCarron’s decent? Here’s your SEC West champions.
Related posts:
- Hawaii has Split National Championship chance
- Premise: The SEC as Old School Tag Teams
- SEC Power Poll* Week 14
- A Breakdown of the 2011 SEC Schedule
- SEC Power Poll (Week 13)
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February 15th, 2011 @ 3:30 pm
Bama u can do it! Just keep you ball carrier from fumbling thru the end zone at auburn to completely screw up the season. Big time Hm Trophy Winner we thank u so much! We had em!