For the last seven years, the Southeastern Conference has produced the BCS National Champion, and in doing so has produced a massive following consisting of conference faithful, band wagon fans, and-possibly more so than either of the prior-a long list of fans who have come to hate the conference.
Love it or hate it, one can't argue with the SEC's dominance year in and year out. Each season, armchair quarterbacks and experts alike discuss whether the conference will produce another National Champion; and if so, which team it will be. For now, we'll look at the conference and try to determine each team's position by season's end. Of course, this is just one guy's projection and is open to interpretation or criticism, so feel free to argue any of these. Enjoy, and keep in mind this projection was compiled with respect to the casual fan.
East Division
1. Georgia Bulldogs-After an 11-2 run in 2012 and wrapping up as East Division champions, Georgia looks to continue dominating in the upcoming season. With much of its offense intact, particularly quarterback Aaron Murray and the running back tandem of Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, the Dogs should have no trouble matching their output of 38 points per game from the previous season. Key conference games: South Carolina, LSU, Florida
2. South Carolina Gamecocks-The Old Ball Coach looks to keep the Gamecocks in contention in the East after an impressive 2012 campaign, with their only losses coming to Florida and LSU. South Carolina's defense will continue to strengthen throughout the season as sophomore defensive end Jadaveon Clowney looks to extend his path of destruction over opposing offenses, while quarterback Connor Shaw should settle in comfortably under center for another season. Key conference games: Georgia, Florida
3. Florida Gators-After an 11-1 season in which the Gators lone loss came at the hands of Georgia in a game many said the Gators lost themselves more than the Bulldogs won, coach Will Muschamp looks to keep his team in the mix on Eastern side of the conference. Quarterback Jeff Driskel looked shaky at times last season but should be more comfortable this season as the focal point of the offense, provided someone steps up at any of the skill positions to help. The defense will be young but has a chance to improve the pass rush and keep the line stacked against the run. Key conference games: LSU, Georgia, South Carolina
4. Vanderbilt Commodores-With 13 starters returning from an 8-4 team last season, the Commodores hope to continue on their gradual trend of improvement from one season to the next. Receiver Jordan Matthews will likely be quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels' go-to guy as Samuels settles in under center. Vanderbilt should at least match their 2012 performance and just might shock someone along the way. Key conference games: South Carolina, Florida, Georgia
5. Tennessee Volunteers-One of a few surprising coaching hires in the conference came at Tennessee with the announcement of Butch Jones taking the helm. Jones will look to tighten up his defensive line and hopefully give up significantly less than the 35.6 points per game the Volunteers conceded last season. Luckily for him, he has 12 returning starters; unfortunately none return to skill positions. Key conference games: Missouri, Vanderbilt, Kentucky
6. Kentucky Wildcats-The Wildcats have already made a few splashes before the season even begins, beginning with hiring new head coach Mark Stoops. Bringing in Stoops immediately paid off as Kentucky shocked everyone with a surprisingly good recruiting class so far. After a miserable 2-10 season, the Wildcats hope to move forward and continue surprising the country in 2013. Expect Kentucky to improve beyond 2012, but the recruiting class isn't likely to put Kentucky into any serious discussions for at least another year. Key conference games: Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina
7. Missouri Tigers-2012 probably didn't go anything like Coach Gary Pinkel expected in the Tigers' first season in the SEC. Missouri, once an offensive power in the Big 12, will continue to rebuild the program to compete against stronger defenses. Quarterback James Franklin returns for another season to lead the Tigers, along with 12 other starters, but the Tigers have a long way to go yet. Key conference games: Tennessee, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
West Division
1. Alabama Crimson Tide-Finishing the regular season 12-0 and wrapping up another conference title in 2012, the Tide look to be on course to finish at the top of the SEC once again. With running back TJ Yeldon in the backfield with signal caller AJ McCarron and receiver Amari Cooper on the end among a whopping 14 starters, Alabama will reload again while almost everyone else seems to be rebuilding. With an easier schedule this season, the stars should be aligned for Bama to run the table all the way to Atlanta and avenge their lone loss to Texas A&M along the way. Key conference games: Texas A&M, LSU
2. Texas A&M Aggies-This is definitely a placement open for discussion. I struggled with the Aggies' placement in the West this season following an amazing 10-2 innaugural season in the conference last year. Coach Kevin Sumlin managed to keep his team intact for the most part with 11 returning starters including quarterback Johnny Manziel. The question is whether the Aggies can duplicate or improve upon their 2012 season with Manziel under the microscope for his every move. The pieces are present for another good run, the problem may lie in the chemistry of the team. Key conference games: Alabama, LSU, Arkansas
3. Arkansas Razorbacks-Yes, I believe Arkansas rebounds nicely this season. With the hiring of coach Bret Bielema, the Razorbacks are in prime position to shake up the West. His smashmouth style of play in the trenches and high powered offense and defense actually should fit in well within the conference. With a modest 11 starters returning, Bielema will have to replace several key positions, but should have no trouble improving on the Hogs' 4-8 season from a year ago. There will likely be growing pains the first few weeks, but Arkansas should rebound nicely and finish above .500 on the season. Key conference games: Texas A&M, Alabama
4. LSU Tigers-With 10 starters returning this season, coach Les Miles may have to refrain from his Mad Hatter ways and keep it simple. The Tigers finished 10-2 on the regular season in 2012, with some close calls in games that should have been a breeze for a team of LSU's caliber. Normally a stingy defense, the Tigers gave up alot of points, which could have foreshadowed the season to come in 2013. With so many key positions vacant, Miles faces an uphill battle in a rare rebuilding year. Pressure will be high on returning quarterback Zach Mettenberger and running back Jeremy Hill to carry the team. LSU should finish the season with a respectable record, but will likely be below expectations for a team that spent the last several years near the top of the conference. Key conference games: Alabama, Texas A&M, Arkansas
5. Auburn Tigers-The Gus Bus has returned to the Plains. The 2012 season had barely ended when Auburn announced they were moving on from coach Gene Chizik, and soon after, the announcement was made that former Auburn offensive coordinator and then-Arkansas State head coach Gus Malzahn had been hired. Malzahn will have 15 starters returning, but the question so far has been concerning quarterback. As yet, Malzahn has not named his starter at the position, which leaves many to wonder if the team will be able to adjust and run the hyper-speed offense Malzahn cherishes. After an abysmal 3-9 season in 2012, the Tigers really have nowhere to go but up, and should finish with a much more respectable record this year. Key conference games: Texas A&M, LSU, Arkansas, Alabama
6. Ole Miss Rebels-15 starters return this season as coach Hugh Freeze looks to continue moving up the ranks with his high tempo offense. The Rebels finished 6-6 last season and hope to improve, especially with dual threat quarterback Bo Wallace, running back Jeff Scott and wide receiver Donte Moncrief returning. Ole Miss has a chance to play spoiler to several teams with high aspirations in the conference, particularly LSU, after losing a heartbreaker to them at the end of the season 41-35. Key conference games: LSU, Arkansas, Texas A&M
7. Mississippi State Bulldogs-Head coach Dan Mullen may be running out of time to get the Bulldogs into title contention within the conference. After leaving Florida's offensive coordinator position under coach Urban Meyer, Mississippi State had high hopes for what Mullen could accomplish but his seat is most likely warming up. The Bulldogs started out 7-0 last season before running into a wall and finishing 8-4. Mullen has been consistent, but unfortunately that consistency rarely has the Bulldogs near the top of the pecking order in the West. Hail State has quarterback Tyler Russell and running back LaDarius Perkins returning among the 11 veterans on the team, but they probably need to have a great season before whispers begin about Mullen's job security. Key conference games: Ole Miss, LSU, Arkansas
The SEC is one of the most unpredictable conferences in the nation, and is next to impossible to predict from one week to the next, let alone an entire season. So take this preview with a grain of salt. But, above everything else, enjoy the upcoming season and remember we'll be here for the long haul to cover it for you.
- Kevin Hicks
@kevinhicks77
kevin.projectcfb@gmail.com
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