2011 SEC Football Season Predictions
Posted on | August 31, 2011 | No Comments
SEC Predictions sure to be wrong
As the 2011 season is about to begin, it’s time to unveil the final predictions for the season. Once again, the SEC appears to be poised for another BCS title run, as well as boasting the deepest field of teams in the country. Although the West should be the better division overall, the East has a few teams that could be sleepers. Starting with the East, here are my predictions, accompanied with a best case/worst case win loss record.
East
1. Georgia – 10-2/8-4
Coming off his first losing season since coming to Athens (6-7), Georgia coach Mark Richt is looking to bounce back this year behind quarterback Aaron Murray and a group of highly touted freshmen dubbed the “Dream Team.” One of these freshmen, running back Isaiah Crowell, will need to provide for the Dawgs what Marcus Lattimore did last season for South Carolina. The Bulldogs open this season with Boise State and South Carolina, so everyone will find out quickly if they are for real or not. The rest of the schedule sets up favorably for Georgia, as they will not have to play Alabama, LSU, or Arkansas. Instead, they welcome Mississippi State and Auburn, while they will have to travel to Ole Miss. Two games that will be key to their success will be September 10 at home versus South Carolina, and October 29 versus Florida in Jacksonville. If they can win these two games, look for the Dawgs to be back in Atlanta.
2. South Carolina – 10-2/8-4
South Carolina is coming off their first trip to the SEC championship game last season, and many think they will repeat this year. However, while they have the most talent in the East, they also have to travel to Georgia, Mississippi State, and Arkansas. Quarterback Stephen Garcia has battled consistency issues his entire career, so his success will greatly impact his teams’ success. Running back Marcus Lattimore and wide receiver Alshon Jeffrey also return, as well as defensive lineman Devin Taylor. Freshman defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, the number one recruit in the nation last season, will also look to aide the Gamecock defense.
3. Florida – 8-4/6-6
This Florida Gators football team has been the hardest to get a read on, however, one look at the schedule can give you a good idea as to how this season will play out under first year head coach Will Muschamp. The Gators return a wealth of talent, including running backs Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey, as well as linebacker Jon Bostic. Muschamp’s best offseason move was probably hiring Charlie Weis as his offensive coordinator, but Weis will have the task of working with quarterback John Brantley, who threw for 9 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season. The Gators’ early schedule sets up well for them, but they also play Alabama, LSU (in Baton Rouge), and Auburn (in Auburn) three weeks in a row. The Gators also travel to South Carolina before welcoming Florida State at seasons’ end. While the Gators have the talent to possibly be a dark horse, look for them to win anywhere from 6 to 8 games in Muschamp’s first season.
4. Tennessee – 7-5/5-7
Despite losing to North Carolina in the Music City Bowl last season, the Tennessee Volunteers finished strong under first year coach Derek Dooley. In year two, Tyler Bray looks to lead the Vols back to the top in the East, but this team will have to fight their way through a treacherous SEC schedule. Although the Vols will get visits from Alabama, LSU, South Carolina, and Georgia, they will have to travel to Florida, Arkansas, and Kentucky. If the Vols want to get back to a bowl game, they will have to win all their non conference games (including a game against Cincinnati), as well as beating Vanderbilt and Kentucky. If the Vols win their first couple of games, look for them to possibly upset one of the SEC powerhouses.
5. Kentucky – 7-5/4-8
Year two under head coach Joker Phillips will depend on many new faces, as quarterback Mike Hartline and running back Derrick Locke have graduated. Morgan Newton (no relation to Cam) will take over at quarterback, as he started for the injured Hartline last season in the BBVA Compass Bowl, a 27-10 loss to Pittsburgh. For the Wildcats to get back to a bowl game, they will have to navigate through a schedule where they travel to LSU, South Carolina, Georgia, and Vanderbilt. They will play Florida, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Tennessee at home. The best case for the Wildcats is 4 conference wins, which is still a stretch for this young team. Look for the Kentucky-Tennessee game to possibly decide bowl eligibility for both teams.
6. Vanderbilt – 5-7/3-9
Since hiring new head coach James Franklin, Nashville has actually been buzzing with excitement over Vanderbilt football. While I do not feel the Commodores are quite ready for a bowl game appearance, I do think they can possibly double their win total from a season ago. Yes, Vandy only won 2 games last year, so 4 does not seem like so many, but any improvement could drastically help the Commodores’ future. Vandy has some experience coming back this year, including quarterback Larry Smith, running backs Zac Stacy and Warren Norman, and linebacker Chris Marve. Vanderbilt has an extremely tough schedule, including road games versus Alabama, South Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee. Although they will not make it back to a bowl game, look for Vanderbilt to possibly upset a team in SEC play.
West
1. Alabama – 12-0/10-2
It is safe to say that anything less than a national championship will be a disappointment this year for Alabama. The Tide returns 8 defensive starters, led by Dont’a Hightower, Courtney Upshaw, and Mark Barron. This defense is already drawing comparisons to the 09’ defense that paved the way to Alabama’s 13th national championship. Offensively, Trent Richardson finally gets his chance to shine after the early departure of Mark Ingram, and Richardson’s name is already being included in the Heisman trophy talk. While there is uncertainty at quarterback, the Crimson Tide return one of the best offensive lines in the nation, led by Barrett Jones. Alabama will have to travel to Penn State, Florida, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Auburn, but the Tide’s toughest two challenges, Arkansas and LSU, will be in T-Town. If Alabama can find an identity offensively, the Tide will play for their second title in three years.
2. LSU – 12-0/10-2
Alabama’s biggest challenger in the whole nation resides with them in the SEC West. That would be LSU, who, despite offseason issues, still have arguably the best overall talent in the nation. Since the Jordan Jefferson suspension, Jarrett Lee has been named the starter. While Lee has experience, look for JuCo transfer Zach Metternberger to challenge for the starting spot at quarterback. Morris Claiborne headlines a defense that is loaded with talent. Claiborne often went unknown last year due to Patrick Peterson, but he will be a force for the Tigers at cornerback. LSU opens up with Oregon in Cowboys’ stadium, which should serve as an elimination game for the national championship. If the Tigers can beat the Ducks, expect them to ride that momentum into the showdown November 5th in Tuscaloosa versus Alabama. Look for the winner of that game to make it to New Orleans for the national championship.
3. Arkansas – 10-2/9-3
Due to the preseason publicity of Alabama and LSU, the Razorbacks have been forgotten by many heading into this season. Coach Bobby Petrino will hand his offense over to Tyler Wilson, who has proven to be capable of shredding opposing defenses (last year at Auburn). Wilson has the best receiving corps in the nation, led by Greg Childs, Joe Adams, Cobi Hamilton, and Jarius Wright. Running back Knile Davis is out for the year, but Dennis Johnson will make up for his absence. Defensively, Jake Bequette and Jerry Franklin look to lead a much-improved unit. The Hogs have to travel to LSU and Alabama, but back to back 10 win seasons is well within the Razorbacks’ grasp.
4. Auburn – 8-4/5-7
The defending national champions return only 6 starters, yet you would not know if it if you listened to the players. Auburn faces a tough October stretch, but it may very well be the month of September that defines Auburn’s season. The Tigers should defeat Utah State and Florida Atlantic easily, but their September 10th matchup versus Mississippi State could dictate the entire season. If the Tigers defeat the Bulldogs and Clemson on the road the following week, they could very well win 8 games and possibly upset a better team along the way. If they lose either one or both, it could be a long season on the plains.
5. Mississippi State – 7-5/5-7
The Bulldogs have been very optimistic about this years’ team during the off-season, and Starkville is looking forward to seeing them be a surprise team this year in the West. However, the Bulldogs face one of the toughest schedules in the league. They will travel to Auburn, Arkansas, Georgia, and Kentucky, while also having to face South Carolina, Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss. The Bulldogs will be led by quarterback Chris Relf and running back Vick Ballard, who will look to build on last season’s 9-4 record. I think this team will be better than last years’, but their record will not show it as they struggle to reach 7 wins.
6. Ole Miss – 6-6/3-9
Houston Nutt and the Ole Miss Rebels are coming off an abysmal 4-8 season, and this year does not look to be much brighter. Although the Rebels return a veteran offensive line and a solid running back in Brandon Bolden, they also face a tough schedule. They open the season against a tough BYU team, which could dictate the Rebels season. Ole Miss has road trips to Fresno State, Vanderbilt, Auburn, Kentucky, and Mississippi State. The toughest conference games for the Rebels are at home (Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, LSU), but they also have to face Alabama, Arkansas, and Auburn in subsequent weeks. If Ole Miss can start off the season 3-0, they have an outside chance at a bowl berth. If they falter in the opening weeks, the Rebels might be looking for a new coach at seasons’ end.
Related posts:
- SEC Football 2008 Season Predictions
- A Breakdown of the 2011 SEC Schedule
- SEC Football Preseason Predictions and Power Rankings, 2009
- SEC Football Week 4 Predictions 2008
- Georgia Season Preview Prediction Picks
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