|
Written by Jason Macor
|
|
Monday, 09 October 2006 |
 If you have a definite pick here, you're either a true fan for your SEC team, or should go back a take a look at the teams playing here. Like most I believe that Florida has the most talent overall in the conference, but will most likely not survive it's schedule. Behind them though, the SEC is about as wide open as the national title race. Auburn, Georgia, and LSU all have legit chances to win the conference championship, whether do to schedule or enough returning talent.
The list doesn't stop there. This is by far the deepest conference, and in my opinion the best conference (not always the same thing in cases of top heavy conferences). Other teams with a chance, with key wins, to play for the SEC championship game include South Carolina (or the other USC), Tennessee, and Arkansas.
No of course, all I've done here is name a bunch of teams in the SEC that sound like they've been good before, so I guess some explanations should be made. Well, I've already said I think that UF has the most talent, and with a better schedule I believe they could be playing for the national title, but the mid season stretch of road games is just too much for any team (yes, even you Notre Dame). Next up would most definitely have to be Auburn. Not only does their schedule favor them, with 8 home games, three of which are key games against LSU, Florida, and Georgia, but Auburn has been consistent over the past 4-5 years, and should have a national title on their mantle.
Georgia was also given a decent schedule, but will probably trip up near the end of the season where they have three straight road games, the bookends being Florida and Auburn, and finish off with a very strong Ga Tech. If they can take one of those two bookends, don't be surprised to see them up on top of the SEC West standings.
Back in the SEC east, even though my personal pick would be Auburn, one cannot simply forget what LSU did last season. After Katrina, they were still able to put together a fine season, and then walloped my poor Hurricanes. If nothing else, LSU should be riding into the season on the coat tails of a high that only winning can bring. Not to say this team isn't talented, far from it, but they are pretty much the Anti-Auburn, with all three key games this season being played on the road.
Some say that after the loss in their bowl game last year, South Carolina's season was nothing more then smoke and mirrors. Okay, well since Notre Dame lost to OSU, and Miami lost to LSU, their prospective seasons are over, because it was all smoke and mirrors. Granted both those teams went 9-3, and the Gamecocks were 7-5, but remember this was the first year there for Spurrier, and as much as I hate saying this, he did a brilliant job. What he did there could be likened, or vice versa, to what Joe Girardi is doing right now with a Florida Marlins team that has a salary of $15 million. The first season was something, but now Spurrier has that under his belt, and the added spring/summer/fall practices to get these players on his page. Although facing a daunting schedule that has 5 ranked teams, don't be surprised if the other USC finishes ahead of the ole ball coaches old team, and the murmurs begin in Gainesville of whether or not the right coach was selected.
Tennessee had about as bad a year as any team can have. Not only did they go 5-6, they were actually ranked and national title contenders early in the season. I don't believe they're ready to rise to the top again, the SEC is just too deep this year, but I don't see a repeat performance, and at least a minor bowl game for the Volunteers.
I'm going to go ahead and pick the Razorbacks as my dark horse this season. If they can shock the world and beat USC at home opening day, don't expect them to be tested but two more times this season, the Auburn game, and the finale against LSU. A cheese schedule and some luck could see Arkansas second place in the SEC West, and possibly first with a couple of upsets.
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 12 April 2007 )
|
|
