2009 SEC Football Outlook

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Florida enters 2009 as the heavy favorite to repeat as SEC champs, and most think Alabama will be their to play them again in Atlanta.

There is some real intrigue with teams like Ole Miss, LSU, and Georgia. Can those teams step up and knock off the favorite in their divisions?

Then you have teams like Tennessee, South Carolina, Auburn, and Arkansas, who have the potential to be very good teams, but there are big question marks that need answering.

Here's a 2009 schedule breakdown, wins, losses, and toss up games for the conference. Now nothing is a sure thing in the SEC, but these are games each team should win, combined with games that could go either way.

FLORIDA: '09 Outlook, 8-0-4

Wins: Charleston Southern, Troy, Tennessee, at Kentucky, Arkansas, at Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Florida International

Losses: None

Toss Up: at LSU, vs. Georgia, at South Carolina, Florida State

The Gators should beat the Gamecocks and the Seminoles, but I think those games are just hard enough to not give them a win given the South Carolina game is on the road and the Noles are a rivalry game.

The games against LSU and Georgia are truly toss up games. There's no throwing your national championship ring in the stadium and getting a win there. Those two should be battles.

GEORGIA: '09 Outlook, 8-0-4

Wins: South Carolina, at Arkansas, Arizona State, at Tennessee, at Vanderbilt, Tennessee Tech, Auburn, Kentucky

Losses: None

Toss Up: at Oklahoma State, LSU, vs. Florida, at Georgia Tech

The Dawgs first six games are very tough, with it all beginning with a trip to Stillwater. Games against LSU at home and Florida in Jacksonville follow, then the trip to Georgia Tech at the end of the season. The Jackets upset the Dawgs in Athens last season.

It should be very interesting to see how Georgia comes out of the first six games. They really need a 4-2 start with Florida and Georgia Tech looming later in the season.

ALABAMA: '09 Outlook, 8-0-4

Wins: Florida International, North Texas, Arkansas, at Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, at Mississippi State, Chattanooga

Losses: None

Toss Up: vs. Virginia Tech, at Ole Miss, LSU, at Auburn

The Crimson Tide have a very favorable schedule to break in a new QB in 2009. The Hokies in game one should provide a stiffer test than Clemson did a year ago, and then the first huge SEC west showdown with Ole Miss in the middle of the season.

The Tide host LSU in early November which could be for the division title, then a trip to Auburn to end the year. Alabama will be a better team than Auburn, but the Tide hasn't won in Auburn since 2001, and rivalry games are always up for grabs.

LSU: '09 Outlook, 8-0-4

Wins: at Washington, Vanderbilt, UL Lafayette, at Mississippi State, Auburn, Tulane, Louisiana Tech, Arkansas

Losses: None

Toss Up:

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