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

: Emmanuel Moody, RB.  Florida has lacked a big-time running back for years, but there is optimism in Gainesville that Moody can be a 20-carry-a-game back.  If he was good enough to get carries at USC, with all the talent they had in the backfield, he should do just fine for the Gators.

'08-09 Forecast: Florida should be preseason top five in the country.  Tebow will be anxious to have an even better season than he did last year.  Like many teams, though, Florida will go as far as their defense allows them to.

'08-09 Record: 13-0 (8-0), SEC Champions

 

Georgia Bulldogs

An argument could be made that at the end of last year, there was not a team in the country playing better than Georgia was.  Coming off of a 41-10 beatdown of supposed Cinderella Hawaii, expectations are high in Athens for the team's first SEC title since 2005.

Offense: The offense is led by junior quarterback Matthew Stafford and sophomore running back Knowshon Moreno.  Moreno is coming off a freshman year in which he ran for over 1,300 yards.  There is some concern over who Stafford will throw the ball to, but freshman A.J. Green should provide some instant help.  The line will have to replace two starters but should be in good hands with Trinton Sturdivant and Clint Boling returning.

Defense: The defense for the Dawgs will be rock solid as they return nine starters.  The D is led by senior linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and defensive tackle Geno Atkins.  The secondary will be in good hands with the return of junior Asher Allen and C.J. Byrd.  Look for the Dawgs to dominate opponents with suffocating D.

Impact Newcomer: A.J. Green, WR.  It's not often that you see the best two high school wide receivers commit to play in the same conference, but that's the story here.  Green will battle Alabama's Julio Jones for freshman of the year honors in the SEC.  Green, like Jones, is 6'4" and should provide Stafford with a go-to target in the red zone.

'08-09 forecast: The Dawgs picked a bad year to have such a good team.  There's no denying that the Dawgs are one of the best teams in the nation, but I'm inclined to give the edge to Florida just because I think their defense will be much improved.  Nevertheless, expect Georgia in a BCS bowl game.

'08-09 Record: 11-1 (7-1)

 

Kentucky Wildcats

The Andre Woodson era is over in Lexington after enjoying back to back bowl games.  Rich Brooks will have his toughest season of coaching yet with the losses the team suffered on offense.

Offense

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