AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > July > 09
Monday, July 9, 2007
Early SEC East outlook
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Every year as my vacation draws to a close, there is always a morning when I can walk outside and just FEEL it.
Another college football season is coming. And for those of us in the South, it can’t get here soon enough.
I know we’re starting to get close when folks come up to me at the grocery store or in church and are rubbing their hands in excitement.
“Man, I can’t wait,” they all say.
We’ve still got 52 days until Mississippi State hosts LSU on Aug. 30 and, as your humble correspondent, it is my job to keep this discussion going until the games mercifully start.
So we will be here every day-weekends too-and will be tossing around the topics that will likely define the 2007 season. Your input is respectfully requested and very much needed to make this blog all that it can be.
If you disagree with an opinion or an assessment, let’s hear it.
If you think there is a glaring omission from a list, let’s talk about it.
If you think your team’s not getting enough love, then state your case.
I’ll try to post in the morning and then come back in the afternoon to respond where it is appropriate.
One favor, please. Argue and disagree as passionately as you want but let’s keep it clean. Somebody’s momma (including mine) might be reading this.
So let’s get started.
With training camp about a month away, here are the five burning questions I have about the SEC East for 2007 (the SEC West will come on Tuesday).
1-Can South Carolina actually WIN the Eastern Division? The Gamecocks will be a trendy pick because 10 starters return on defense and you have to believe that Steve Spurrier will figure some things out on offense. And if QB Blake Mitchell is a little more consistent and the offensive line jells, things could be okay on that side of the ball, despite the loss of WR Sidney Rice. But look at the schedule that has SEC road games at Georgia, LSU, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Ouch.
2-Has Florida lost too many starters to repeat? Here’s a word to the wise. If you’re going to get the Gators, you’d better do it this season because starting in 2008 they are going to be loaded. Actually, Florida is loaded with talent now but so much of it is young. It’s hard to win any kind of championship when you have to replace nine defensive starters. Tim Tebow and the offense are going to have to hold the fort long enough to give the defense a chance to grow up. Will Florida’s D be ready when Tennessee comes to Gainesville on Sept. 15? We’ll find out.
3-What does Tennessee have to do to win its first SEC championship since 1998? Everybody is talking about replacing receivers Robert Meachen, Jayson Swain, and Bret Smith, who combined for 159 catches last season. But Tennessee will always find receivers. The offense, in its second year under David Cutcliffe, will be very good. The improvement has to come on the defensive side of the ball where the Volunteers finished eighth in every defensive category that matters. And here is the stat that should shock you, Volunteer fans. Tennessee’s defense gave up 4.1 yards PER RUSH last season and was still basically two plays away from winning 11 games.
4-Can all six teams in this division go to a bowl? Yes they can and yes they will. All but Vanderbilt went last season and the Commodores return 17 starters and have eight home games. Quick question: Which quarterback led the SEC in passing yards per game last season? That would be Andre Woodson of Kentucky (270.4 ypg). Kentucky won’t win the East, but if the defense (28.4 ppg last season) improves just a little bit, the Wildcats will have an impact on who does.
5-It sounds like every team in the division has issues. So who’s going to Atlanta on Dec. 1? It may be the winner of the Georgia-Tennessee game on Oct. 6. Logically, it’s hard to pick the Dawgs when the offensive line is so young and on defense, two All-World defensive ends and all the linebackers have to be replaced. And then there is the matter of Georgia’s best cover corner (Paul Oliver) flunking out of school. But if DC Willie Martinez can work a little magic on defense and new O-Line coach Stacy Searels can turn that group of young pups (6 freshmen and redshirt freshman in the top 10 players) into a bunch of nasty, snarling hounds, then Georgia could fool us again, just like they did in 2005.
