With the college football season kicking off tonight, I thought it apropos to make my annual SEC picks. I’ve pored over these picks, meticulously dissecting each team’s strengths and weaknesses for all of 60 seconds, so take this distillation for what it is. That said, here are my fearless picks, starting with the SEC West:
- LSU (12-0, 8-0 in the conference). I can’t believe I’m picking a Les Miles team to go undefeated. Seems like they always slip up and lose one they’re not supposed to. But how can you go on record and pick that game? They’re clearly the class of the conference. I could see a hiccup against VT in Week 2. But otherwise, I think they play in Atlanta in December.
- Auburn (10-2, 6-2). Their conference schedule is just brutal. Away games at Florida, Arkansas, LSU and Georgia. I see Auburn splitting these four, with losses to Florida and LSU. But Tommy’s Tigers can hang with any team in the nation.
- Alabama (7-5, 4-4). It’s hard to believe Nick Saban has been the Tide coach for only 8 months. It probably just seems longer since every time he brushes his teeth, it’s newsworthy around here. The luster’s worn off a little after the debacle that was his NFL stint, but I guess he’s still a good coach. Nevertheless, I see this as a rebuilding year in Tuscaloosa with losses to Georgia, FSU, LSU, Auburn and (of course) Tennessee. In two years, this team will be scary, though.
- Arkansas (8-4, 4-4). I know a lot of people are high on Arkansas and it’s tough to count them out with McFadden, but I have them coming back to earth a bit. I see losses to Auburn, Tennessee and LSU with the Bama game determining 3rd place in the division.
- Ole Miss (5-7, 2-6). I have to admit, I know nothing about the Mississippi teams. I’m just going out on a limb here. Surely Ole Miss will beat Vandy and MSU. But who really cares.
- Mississippi State (3-9, 0-8). I don’t know if Tulane, Jacksonville State or UAB are any good. But if MSU can’t beat ’em, then they don’t deserve to be an SEC school.
And now for my Eastern division:
- Florida (11-1, 7-1). Florida lost a lot of talent from last year’s championship squad, but in Gainesville it seems like they just reload. I still think they’re the most talented team in the division. Their season will be decided in a four-game stretch from September 15 to October 6 when they play Tennessee, Auburn and LSU. The Gators have to travel to the swamp to play LSU, so I’m picking them to drop that one. But if they take care of business everywhere else, they should have the chance to avenge that loss in Atlanta.
- Tennessee (10-2, 7-1). I guess this probably seems like a homer pick. And with Erik Ainge’s broken pinky looming large, I’m putting my Vols down for two early road losses to Cal and Florida. But I’m feeling good about the rest of the schedule. We hit Georgia in the mouth last year, dropping 50 on them in Athens. This year’s game in Knoxville will determine 2nd place in the conference. Personally, I think we’re the better team.
- Georgia (9-3, 5-3). Conference losses to Tennessee, Florida and Auburn should keep the Dawgs from sniffing a 10-win season. Of course, as I said, Uga vs. Smokey will determine 2nd place.
- South Carolina (7-5, 3-5). A win over Clemson would give Spurrier a winning record. But I just can’t see them beating Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, LSU or Arkansas. I could be wrong…
- Kentucky (5-7, 2-6). I know they won a lot last year, but that doesn’t happen this year. Start getting ready for basketball season, Big Blue.
- Vanderbilt (2-10, 0-8). I guess they could win another game or two (Miami of OH?), but I really don’t care.
There you have it, folks. Tell me if you think I’m off base.
already & not yet 
Not sure FLA or LSU do that well. I don’t see an SEC team in the BCS championship game this year and I am not as high on the Vols, but otherwise you have it pretty acurate.
College football is THE BEST!! I am officially finished with baseball (not that I care) as of tonight. I keep the Braves on for noise at home and that’s about all their worth. I like your picks. It’s eery to think how ONE injury could change an entire season, i.e. McFadden blowing out an ACL-where would the piggies be if that happened; Tebow separating a shoulder; Cox at Auburn breaking an ankle. I would NEVER wish an injury on any kid but it could change the complexion of an entire team and totally mess up a lot of predictions and expectations. You’re right on with UK and Vandy. When it comes to football, they’re in the wrong conference. In some conferences, they’re champion contenders. In the SEC, they’ve improved from pathetic to mediocre. LSU chokes somewhere. They’re a good team but they’re like possums- they get killed on the road. I don’t think it’ll be in Tuscaloosa (my Bama team doesn’t have the “D”…YET) but somebody is bound to sneak up on them. Let the games begin!! “…and the whole church said- ROLL TIDE” (sorry-had to throw that in) Thanks for being a good sport and humoring me.
Let me put in my two cents worth about Alabama… I go here, and I don’t think we’ll do much better than a bowl game. I’ll say 7 wins at best. Some people in the press have picked us to do this year what Arkansas did last year… I think they are crazy. I’ll break down the schedule…Western Carolina – Are you serious? WINVandy – Will be tough. I’m not putting anything past them. Them and KY two of the worst teams in the SEC, and that’s not saying much, because they’re still pretty good. I’ll give us the edge, though. WINArkansas – Not the same team from last year. Take away McFadden, and they have nothing. The O-Line isn’t very good either. The game is also in T-Town. WINGeorgia – Has, more than likely, the best QB in the SEC. He’s supposed to be the best that Richt has coached, and he’s coached two Heisman winners. Home field will help, but not much. LOSSFlorida State – 4 or 5 years ago, I would have been real worried about being embarrassed, but this isn’t the State of old. Bowden’s a great coach and this will be a great game, but in a slightly neutral site and the fire under the Tide, I might give us the advantage. For now… LOSSHouston – Not exactly a push-over Homecoming game (as they were a bowl team the last 2 years), but Bama can still win big. WINOle Miss – Is a joke… next please. WINTennessee – The Vols are tough. They are every year. The biggest help we have is home field advantage. Tennessee was good last year, and we sucked, but the game was still close in Knoxville. On our entire schedule, this is our best chance for an upset. Just for you, Jason… WINLSU – I would say no chance, but again, home field helps. The Tigers are incredible, but the Tide and the fans will be in full force. I think it’ll be a closer game than most think, but that doesn’t mean I’m giving Bama the edge. LOSSMiss State – Thought they were a joke last year, and they beat us. Well, they still are a joke, and we’ll kill them. Say “hi” to the unemployment line for me, Croom. WINLA-Monroe – Also a joke team. WINAuburn – This one is tough. I think Bama can keep all tough games close. I think the team will probably have developed better and Saban can coach us out of close games. Auburn is tough this year, as they have been the last, what, 7 years? It’s in Auburn, which doesn’t help, but Auburn lost a lot on defense, a good bit on offense, and Brandon Cox is just awful. I, for now, will go with recent history… LOSS8-4, 5-3 SEC. And that’s being brave, I think. I could see us doing well, but I could see us winning just six games as well. We’ll see what happens and how some of the people will react to Saban’s first year.P.S. Sorry for such a long post…
Jake- I think you’re accurate in your picks. Florida State is much improved and with Jimbo Fisher calling the plays- OUCH! Also, you’re right about UGA’s QB- Stafford. You might not be old enough to remember Eric Zier from the early 90’s but he was outstanding and Stafford reminds me of him. UGA is still young but getting there. UT is missing the WR’s and RB’s. But, Chavis always had their “D” ready to go. Gotta love the SEC!!
Kenny,It’s going to be tough for an SEC team to run the gauntlet and come out unscathed. But right now, I think LSU is the class of the conference. I’d love to see them represent the conference in the BCS (unless, of course, Tennessee can make it!)Cindi,You’re right. One injury can make or break a season. You might be more right than I wish, what with Ainge’s broken pinky causing Vol Nation to hold its collective breath. I hope Crompton’s ready to go.
Jake, I’m not sold on Stafford like you are, at least not yet. He comes in with all the prep accolades, but I can’t say he’s definitively better than Ainge, Brandon Cox or Woodson at KY. I think Tebow has proven just as much as Stafford has to this point. That said, I agree with your picks, except for the Tennessee game. But I have to admit, I worry a little bit about having to go to Tuscaloosa with that rabid crowd. You can throw the records out in an old fashioned rivalry like that one. We shall see. Man, I love football.
You have lived in Alabama too long.
I really don’t feel that concerned about Cal, even with the pinky issue. Maybe I’m a homer, but I just think that we have better players, even if some are inexperienced.Go Vols, and go Western Carolina!
Jason,Here’s the thing about Stafford… he has INCREDIBLE arm strength. His accuracy was pretty good last year, and it’s only gotten (and getting) better. Last year was the first year he really got to play any, and you’re right, up to this point, he hasn’t proved much. But, he finally has a grasp on the offense, as he didn’t get a chance to last year. I think he’s much improved and the team around him is only going to help.
Scott,I just call ’em like I see ’em. Matt,I really worry about Desean Jackson feasting on our green secondary. I hope we’ll be able to establish the run and control the clock. But Ainge’s injury compromises our ability to do that, if they don’t fear the passing attack. Honestly, I wouldn’t fear a passing attack who’s best player is a white kid from Lipscomb. But that’s just me.
Well said regarding our wide receivers. Hopefully someone will step up and become a star. If only The Future were still around . . .
I think I’d rather have Austin Rogers.
I sadly have to agree with you that it’s unlikely that UT will lose less than 2 games. We lost all our receivers this year, Coker is still an idiot and is getting suspended, our defense is still young and undersized, and I really hope Ainge’s pinky doesn’t add to our problems. Plus having to start off the season with Cal, Southern Miss (no cupcake) and Florida could start us off at 1-2.Although, I was worried last year and we came in and rocked Cal down to the ground and then should have won the Florida game. So, you never know.