2009 SEC Football Outlook

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Hogs have maybe the toughest road schedule in the league however, with road games to Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss, and LSU, four of the best five teams in the league. The Auburn and South Carolina games at home could very well decide whether this team goes bowling or not.

SOUTH CAROLINA: '09 Outlook, 4-3-5

Wins: Florida Atlantic, South Carolina State, Kentucky, Vanderbilt

Losses: at Georgia, at Alabama, Florida

Toss Up: at NC State, Ole Miss, at Tennessee, at Arkansas, Clemson

Once again, will Stephen Garcia step up and take the reigns at quarterback and take the Gamecocks to the next level?

Much like Auburn, the toss up games are a plenty, and can create a big swing in the season outcome. That opening game at NC State won't be easy at all, that could be a tone setter game for the season. The game in Knoxville starts a four game stretch with games against Arkansas, Florida, and Clemson to end the year.

KENTUCKY: '09 Outlook, 4-5-3

Wins: Miami (OH), Louisville, UL Monroe, Eastern Kentucky

Losses: Florida, Alabama, at South Carolina, at Auburn, at Georgia

Toss Up: Mississippi State, at Vanderbilt, Tennessee

The Wildcats are looking to continue to build on their recent success, including a couple of bowl wins in a row. Their schedule doesn't do them any favors though.

Last year they only won two conference games, and now they trade Arkansas at home for a game at Auburn. Games against Mississippi State and at Vanderbilt are must wins if the Wildcats want to go bowling again.

VANDERBILT: '09 Outlook, 3-6-3

Wins: Western Carolina, at Rice, at Army

Losses: at LSU, Ole Miss, Georgia, at South Carolina, Georgia Tech, at Florida

Toss Up: Mississippi State, Kentucky, at Tennessee

The Commodores won their first bowl game in over 25 years last season, but a little tougher schedule awaits the Dores in 2009.

Last year upsets of Auburn and South Carolina put the over the hump for a bowl game. This year Auburn is gone, and a game at LSU is on, as well as that close win over Carolina is now a road game.

The Dores have to beat Mississippi State and Kentucky, and then pull an upset to make another bowl game this season.

MISSISSIPPI STATE: '09 Outlook, 2-7-3

Wins: Jackson State, at Middle Tennessee State

Losses: at Auburn, LSU, Georgia Tech, Florida, Alabama, at Arkansas, Ole Miss

Toss Up: at Vanderbilt, Houston, at Kentucky

This looks like one of the only teams in the SEC this year that there just doesn't seem to be a way to get to a bowl game. State has too many holes to fill, and a complete change in offensive philosophy will take time.

The Bulldogs have a very slim chance, if some fast freshman come in and contribute early, and they win all three toss up games, an upset would be all they would need for six wins, but count this as a rebuilding year in Starkville.

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