For the past couple of years, the SEC has been the class of college football. You had LSU's 2003 BCS championship, Auburn's undefeated 2004 season, Florida's 2006 BCS championship, and LSU taking it again in 2007—not to mention SEC dominance in both men's and women's basketball.
If you're an SEC fan, consider yourself spoiled.
With this much success, is it fair to assume another BCS champion in 2008? I think not, but the competition for the SEC crown will be a great one, with ups, downs, twists, and turns.
So buckle up—let's take a ride on the SEC Football Roller Coaster.
I think it's only fair to say that this year's competition is going to be like no other. In the West race, you will have good LSU and Auburn teams, an enigma for Alabama, and a big question mark for MSU. These are my four teams that will look to overtake the tricky West.
Let's start with LSU. After one year of winning the BCS, some could assume that LSU will have BCS drowsiness. I beg to differ. LSU will still have one of, if not the best, defenses in the country, and a very capable offense, even without their jailbird troubled QB exile. Look for LSU to finish second in the West.
Next is Mississippi State, who will stun a few critics with another—yes, another—stellar year, with some great games. MSU will have the best defense in the West, but due to consistent offensive woes, look for MSU to finish third.
Finishing fourth, right below MSU, is Auburn. No, Auburn fans, this is not a typo. With a sophomore QB who has never started, and a junior college transfer possibly controlling the offensive reins—without even bringing up Auburn's two new coordinators—you can look for a disappointing but positive rebuilding year.
Auburn will be good, and their defense will be great—but as with all new things, the kinks must be ironed out.
If neither Auburn or LSU wins the West, who will win it? I mean, there are no other contenders in the West, right? Wrong—it's going to be Alabama, in a very weird and strange way.
In year two of Nick Saban, you can expect his players to be playing at the highest level of competition. While their defense will be just good enough, the Tide's offense will be ranked top three in the SEC. John Parker Wilson, the senior QB, will lead his great running backs and young talented WRs to a very electrifying offensive year.
The Tide will finish first in the West and finish 10-2 before the SEC Championship Game, with losses to Clemson and Georgia.
Look for part two of my SEC segment, when we will take on the SEC East Preview.
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2 months ago
I hope 'Bama makes the SEC title game because I am a Florida fan. I think if Florida meets 'Bama in the title game, Florida has a better chance against 'Bama than LSU for a second time or Auburn (who the Gators have struggled against lately).
2 months ago
You must be dreaming. Bama?
What a joke.
2 months ago
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA....
2 months ago
BWAHAHAHAHAHA....
2 months ago
Seth, cocaine is a helluva drug.
2 months ago
Cocaine? No, this guy is on LSD.
1. Auburn
2. LSU
3. MSU
4. UA
5. OLe MIss
6. Arky
2 months ago
Looks about right, though I'd put the barn at #2 and LSU 4th behind Ole Miss.
2 months ago
MSU 3rd? AU 4th? UA 1st? Care to tell us where the defensive depth for UA will come from? Oh and early lines for MSU and Ole Miss have Miss by like 7 or 8 (I know it's a long way off) I'd have Miss higher and MSU a loooot lower. UA at 1 is laughable at best.
2 months ago
I think it is funny when you say LSU has probably the best defense in the country, then say MSU will have the top D in the SEC West.
Also, Kodi Burns has started
2 months ago
I think it is funny when you say that LSU has probably the best defense in the country, then say MSU has the top D in the SEC West.
Also, Kodi Burns has started before.
2 months ago
I think it is funny when you say that LSU has probably the best defense in the country, then say MSU has the top D in the SEC West.
Also, Kodi Burns has started before.
2 months ago
You've obviously been hanging out with Jimmy Johns.
2 months ago
Seth,
I am glad you wrote an article. It is a fun website. I do ask though that you check your facts before posting an article. Kodi Burns has started. He started several games and played in almost all of the games last year.
Also, check to see what happened last time Auburn entered the season with 2 new coordinators.
I will not abuse you for your opinion of the predicted finish because you have full right to it, not matter how wrong you are. haha.
Glad to see that you are following the Bleacher Report rules and practices by having a colon in your title.
2 months ago
Bama should really worry about winning a game in November before planning on winning the SEC West!
2 months ago
Kodi Burns did NOT start a game for the Auburn tigers. Brandon Cox started 12/13 games for the tigers, and Kodi Burns played in 10/13 games for the Tigers according to auburntigers.com official statistics web page. The point was Kodi will be inexperienced.
MSU will have one of the best defenses in the country along with LSU, but I believe MSU to be more experienced. I should have clarified that better.
-Seth Bowman
from 2 months ago
Kodi Burns did start last year. He started the New Mexico State Game. Not saying he faired well as Cox had to play the entire second half, but he did start a game.
from 2 months ago
Kodi did start a game for Auburn hoss.
from 2 months ago
If Brandon Cox started 12/13 and Cody Burns didn't start any, who the blazes started that 13th game??
2 months ago
Bama's 0-fer-umpteen against the barn and LSU, no way they get back to Atlanta for at least another year.
2 months ago
Hey Seth, checked your page. Surprise, surprise. Welcome to the world of garbage journalism, try writing something without promoting your own interests.
> The Short List facts and information about Seth Bowman
> Favorite Sports Teams: Alabama Crimson Tide, Chicago White Sox,
> Dallas Cowboys, Dale Earnhardt Jr
http://bleacherreport.com/users/34684-Seth-Bowman
2 months ago
Hey it's a new season and anything can happen. Obviously either LSU or Auburn are expected to win the West, but don't be surprised if Miss State or Bama sneak up on them. It's possible just not likely.
2 months ago
I don't write for a website, but I guarantee you that Bama will be a lot closer to 6-6 than 10-2 in the regular season. Bama loses to Auburn, Tennessee, Clemson, Georgia, and LSU. Bama only beat Ole Miss on the last play of the game, and Ole Miss has a new Texas quarterback, one of the top running back tandems in the SEC (Cordera Eason and Enrique Davis), and a much better coach. Look out Bama, it's time to lose to another school from Mississippi...if Bama isn't careful, they will drop two games to schools from Miss. this year...
2 months ago
I wonder how he gets teams from Alabama, Illinois, Texas, and Jr from N. carolina as his favorites. Sounds like a wagon jumper to me.
2 months ago
The source I had for Kodi Burn participation was not complete: http://auburntigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2007-2008/indgbg.html#IGBG.PLY. Even if he did start and play, the point was he is unexperience as are all freshman/sophmore QB's.
If I was forced to pick between Alabama and Auburn I would lean towards Alabama because of my upbringing. My articles are fair and unbiased, just look at my eastern preview article. I dont think auburn will have it this year, but watch out for the Tigers next season.
from 2 months ago
"lean" towards Alabama? forced to pick? I know many bama and auburn fans you never that kind of language when discussin who your team is, nobody "leans" towards bama or auburn, michigan or ohio aint...er state, notre dame or usc, it's do or don't, hate or love, no 'tweeners in college football son
from 2 months ago
LOL! That was funny Seth. It really was. "Fair" and "Unbiased". LOL...wow. You work for FoxNews as well?
2 months ago
Also, if you played in 10/13 games last season...just how "inexperienced" are you? I would call playing in 10 games experience. Maybe I am wrong though.
2 months ago
Two new coordinators won't be a problem for Auburn. They really can't be any worse on offense than they were last year (100-something in total offense in the country) and Tuberville is still a defensive coach. The Tigers have maintained a top 10 defense over the last five seasons and the only constant is Tubs. If anything, you shouldn't expect any drop off on either side of the ball from last season's 9 win team. Couple that with a favorable home schedule and there's no way you can predict Auburn to finish in the bottom half of the West.
As far as the QB situation, Burns has seen significant snaps in a lot of games. He has also gotten to experience some of the toughest stadiums in the country to play in during our trips to Baton Rouge, Gainesville, and Athens. The O-Line is as deep as it has been in a while, as is their stable of running backs. There are plenty of pieces in place to keep the pressure off of Burns/Todd, not that I personally believe that they need it (but that may just be me being a homer).
On defense, Auburn now has a D-Coordinator who specializes in last year's biggest weakness; the secondary. Seems to be a smart move by Tubs to me.
I just don't see it, Seth. I can respect your being entitled to an opinion and I see some facts scattered in your article, but none that support the idea that Bama will be that successful this year. I don't doubt that they could maybe win 8 or 9, but 6-7 might be more realistic. With Saban at the helm and if they can maintain their momentum in recruiting, the Tide could very well resurface as a major factor in the SEC. I just don't think it's in the card this year. There's no way they beat Auburn, UT, and LSU this year. They may beat 1 or 2 of them, but not all three, which puts them with 2 or 3 SEC losses at best.
JMHO.
2 months ago
Seth, you keep defending yourself against these comments about your article. You have yet to realize that if your article had had any reasonable logic to its conclusion, you wouldn't need to.
I've found that most people on BR are educated enough to know that their team can not ALWAYS be great. I'm an Auburn fan, and I think the tigers may lose to Alabama this year, simply because a streak can only last so long and it's a home game for bama this year, if I'm not mistaken.
That being said, if your constantly trying to "work-it-out" to where the team you are pulling for will be better than they should (bama SHOULD NOT be that good this year), then you lose your unbiased opinion, and you become a talking head for the team you are rooting for.
I really dont care that you put Bama first, that's your opinion, but don't lie to the readers either, just tell us at the beginning, "Opinion of someone who assumes that Alabama will win the SEC west every year" (I know you probably dont think that way, but your article makes it seem that way).
Good luck to Bama (except when they play Auburn)
Tell me what you think, Drew (WDE)
about 1 month ago
Well, if you don't think Alabama is for real, check out what they did to #9 ranked Clemson in the Georgia Dome on national television. Total domination on both sides of the ball and zero yards rushing for Clemson? Yeah, we're for real. Get ready LSU and Auburn. The bell tolls and it tolls for thee. Welcome to an introduction to Sabanation.
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