2008 SEC Rankings and Predictions

This is surely shaping up to be quite a year in the SEC. There are about 5 teams with a legitimate shot at winning the SEC title with Georgia holding the edge (as of right now). So let's take a look at the conference.

SEC West
1. Auburn - (10-2) Let's face it, Auburn is loaded. On both sides of the ball. Brandon Cox lacked the athleticism needed for Auburn to be very successfull in the passing game. In steps Kodi Burns and Chris Todd. Both of these guys can play. The RB position is flat out loaded and the defense should remain solid under first year DC Paul Rhoads.
2. LSU - (8-4) Even without Perriloux, LSU has a ton of talent on that team. Hopefully for LSU, there's enough talent at the QB position to make them a contender. The RB and WR positions are solid and the defense will be good with Jackson and Beckwith.
3. Mississippi St. - (7-5) Let's give Sly Croom some credit. This guy can coach. Even with a serious lack of talent the guy won 8 games. With wins over Auburn and Alabama last year, the program gained some credibility. The defense is average and the offense is below average, but his kids seem to leave it on the field.
4. Alabama - (7-5) Saban's had a run of bad luck with off the field incidents so he's got his hands full. JP Wilson will have to finally perform for this team to have success. They will need to find some capable WR's to fill the shoes of the three they lost to graduation. The RB position should be okay as long as they find someone and stick with him (Grant, Coffee, Upchurch). The defense will be average, but good enough to win games
5. Ole Miss - (6-6) Noone is giving the Rebels much of a chance, but they should be better than anticipated. Jevan Snead (the highly touted QB that originally signed with Texas) takes over at QB. Dexter McCluster can take it to the house from anywhere.
6. Arkansas - (5-7) I really think the Hogs will struggle this year. How can you not after losing two of the most exciting players in the conference and having to break in a new head coach.


SEC East
1. Florida - (11-1) I bet you thought Georgia would land here. Nope. The Gators are the better team in my opinion. Tim Tebow, Percy Harvin and company will light up the Dawgs in Jacksonville. The defense is a year older (which was desperately needed) and that means they're better.
2. Georgia (10-2) The Dawgs will be good, but that schedule is way too difficult to go unscathed. Matt Stafford isn't as polished as he should be and I'll think he'll still have some rough games, Florida and Auburn to be exact. Knowshon Moreno must stay healthy or the Dawgs might not make it to a New Year's Day bowl.
3. Tennessee (8-4) I like the Vols, they're just in the same division as the Gators and Dawgs. Crompton should play well as he filled in nicely when needed last year. The defense will be very good.
4. South Carolina (8-4) I think this is Spurrier's last hurrah. He's going to throw the book at all of the big opponents this year. There isn't a ton of talent on this team, but the Ol Ball Coach knows how to get the most out of nothing.
5. Vanderbilt (5-7) Not much to say here other than Vandy will be Vandy. They could make it to 6-6, but that doesn't mean a heck of a lot in the SEC
6. Kentucky (3-9) Wow, noone lost more than the Cats. I mean Woodson, Johnson, Burton. That was pretty much their whole team. I really like the RB Locke, the guy can play. But there's noone else to help him and the defense is horrible.


Well there you go folks, the SEC predictions for 2008. Go ahead and put em in the books because the Gawd has spoken!