Impact Newcomer: Eric Baker, RB.  Baker is a lot like Elliott for Mississippi State.  Baker will provide a nice compliment to Mike Davis, who is more of a bruising back.  Baker rushed for over 1,700 yards and 16 touchdowns in his senior year of high school.

'08-09 Forecast: The fans in Columbia won't like it if the Gamecocks miss out on a bowl game again this year, so it's safe to say that for the first time in his college coaching career, Steve Spurrier is under pressure to perform.  Whether the Gamecocks are in SEC East contention depends on the health of the defense and the emergence of a legitimate quarterback.

'08-09 Record: 7-5 (4-4)

Tennessee Volunteers

The arrival of new offensive coordinator Dave Clawson signals a changing of the times in Knoxville.  Clawson runs a spread offense, which is a complete 180 from the traditional West Coast offense that head coach Phillip Fulmer usually likes to run.  

Offense: With the Erik Ainge era over in Knoxville, Jonathan Crompton officially takes the reins of the offense.  He's joined by senior running back Arian Foster and the two leading receivers from last year's team in Lucas Taylor and Austin Rogers.  Expect Clawson to use sophomore Gerald Jones in special situations, such as lining him up at quarterback.

Defense: You'd be hard-pressed to find a better secondary in the country.  Eric Berry is the best safety in the country by far, and he will be even better with the return of Demetrius Morely.  Jerod Mayo will be missed, but Gerald Williams should provide relief at the linebacker spot.

Impact Newcomer: Brandon Warren, TE.  We're cheating again on this one.  Warren was a freshman All-American tight end at Florida State but has since transferred to Tennessee.  If he can become eligible for the upcoming year, Clawson will have another weapon at his disposal to use on offense.

'08-09 Forecast: It's a bad year to be good on Rocky Top.  Any other year and this team would be an easy pick for SEC East winner, but this year they will likely be the third-best team...in their division.  That may play in the Vols' favor, though.  Historically under Fulmer, Tennessee is most dangerous on those occasions when everyone doubts them.

'08-09 Record: 9-3 (5-3)

Vanderbilt Commodores

It's tough to find a lot to get excited about with this Vandy team.  All signs pointed to Vanderbilt ending its bowl drought in 2007, but they couldn't get it done.  With Chris Williams and Earl Bennett departing for the NFL, it could be a very long season in Nashville.

Offense: Where to start?  Chris Nickson figures to be the starter, but things are wide open after Nickson regressed so much.  Mackenzi Adams could wind up being the starter.

As for who will catch and run the ball?  Your guess is as good as ours.  A plethora of guys figure to compete for the starting jobs, with nobody having a clear-cut edge at this point.

Defense: The defense is a different story.  The secondary for Vandy is incredibly solid.  Senior strong safety Reshard Langford and junior cornerback D.J. Moore return after being All-SEC selections.  The front seven on defense will have five new starters, so the secondary better be up to the challenge.

Impact Newcomer: TBD.  Honestly, when was the last time that Vanderbilt had an impact newcomer?  By midseason someone will break away from the pack, but right now it's too tough to call.

'08-09 Forecast: Vanderbilt has improved under coach Bobby Johnson.  The Commodores beat South Carolina in Columbia last season and lost close games to Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, but they just can't seem to get over the hump.  Vandy needs to have consistency at quarterback to reach their first bowl game since 1982.

'08-09 Record: 3-9 (0-8)

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