2008-2009 SEC Preview: Florida and Auburn to Battle for SEC Title

: Blake Field figures to begin the season as the starter, but sophomore Kodi Burns will give him a run for his money.  The Tigers have a good duo in the backfield with junior Ben Tate and senior Brad Lester.  The star on offense is senior wide receiver Rodgeriqus Smith, who figures to be either Field's or Burns' go-to target.

Defense: It's not often that a team can lose an All-SEC defensive end and be perfectly fine the next season, but that's exactly what the Auburn Tigers are after losing Quentin Groves.  Junior linebacker Tray Blackmon might very well be the best linebacker in the SEC, but the defense is led by another linebacker, Sen'Derrick Marks.  This team will go as far as the defense carries them.

Impact Newcomer: Raven Gray, DE.  Gray is a 6'4" defensive end who is lightning-quick off the edge.  He's a lot like Groves in the sense that what he lacks in size he makes up for in quickness.  Look for him to start by midseason.

'08-09 Forecast: Will this be the year that Auburn finally gets back to the SEC title game?  It sure looks like it.  With LSU reeling from personnel loses and nobody else having enough talent to compete with Auburn, it appears that for the first time since '04, the Tigers will be headed to Atlanta.

'08-09 Record: 10-3 (7-1), SEC West Champions

 

Florida Gators

Two words: Tim Tebow.  The Gators followed up their national title with a solid performance in '07, but the defense was a huge concern.  Florida's offense is one of the best in the country, and if the Gators' defense can continue to get better, expect the Gators to be competing for another National title.

Offense: This team is loaded.  It all starts with Tebow, but he does have plenty of weapons at his disposal.  Leading the way is junior wide receiver Percy Harvin, who is a threat to take it the distance every time he touches the ball.  USC transfer Emmanuel Moody might be the link that the Gators have been missing.  Moody should be the Gators' starting running back and should take some heat off Tebow.

Defense: The defense was horrible last year, plain and simple.  If the defense had been better, the Gators likely might have repeated as champions.  With another year of experience, expect the Gators defense to give more help to the offense.  The D will have to overcome the loss of All-SEC defensive end Derrick Harvey, but sophomore Carlos Dunlap should fill the void nicely.

Impact Newcomer

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