Song of the South: SEC Football Preview

The SEC is college football’s most exciting conference.  2007 was a vintage year for all fans of good ol’ Southern football, climaxed by a great SEC Championship game involving LSU—who went to become National Champs—and Tennessee.

This year all the talk has been about Florida, Georgia, and the Tigers of Auburn and Louisiana State University.

THE FAVORITES

Florida

Tim Tebow is quite simply Superman in the state of Florida.  He can do no wrong. With Percy Harvin back after injury, the Gators are going to have speed and a more experienced defense—something that they lacked in the 2007-08 season.  Although there may be worries about a clash with Georgia at Jacksonville and an always-anticipated trip to Neyland to face Tennessee, don’t be surprised if the Gators once again lift the SEC crown and possibly go to the title game with one loss.

Georgia

Strange that I should be saying this about a team that’s in the same division as Florida, but if Florida’s not going to win the SEC East, then pen (in red and black) the Bulldogs in for the SEC Title Game.  Knowshon Moreno is a brilliant running back, and Kirk Herbstreit is very bullish on Matt Stafford.  After his performances last year, so are we.

LSU

The National Champs haven’t had a great offseason in 2008.  Ryan Perrilloux should have been the new quarterback, but he was canned by the Tigers after getting arrested.  Les Miles' "Will he go to Michigan? Won’t he?" scenario is thankfully over, but no one knows if LSU can really recover from the loss of not only Perilloux, but also Dorsey, Doucet, Hester, and Flynn.

Auburn

Like LSU, Auburn is going to have to bet on a new quarterback.  Sometimes-brilliant quarterback Brandon Cox graduated.  Is Kodi Burns great?  He didn’t start too shabbily against Clemson in the Tigers’ Jan. 1 bowl win, with a seven-yard overtime run, but can he cope with the likes of Georgia, West Virginia, Tennessee, and LSU—all of whom are on the schedule this year?

THE OUTSIDERS

Alabama

If there’s any side who proved to me that you should never take them for granted, it’s Alabama.  They brought LSU and Georgia to the hilt in 2007 but couldn’t win.  They were meant to beat Louisiana-Monroe into a cocked hat, but didn’t.  Nick Saban’s got a good, young team, and it’s okay to be excited about them.  We can’t wait for the ‘Bama vs. LSU showdown on Nov. 8 and the annual clash with Auburn.  Should be fun.

Tennessee

Erik Ainge is out and Jonathan Crompton is in.  Crompton is a good quarterback that showed he could be at least as good as Ainge (hopefully without the schoolboy errors and/or wrapping himself around a Tiger Stadium goalpost!), and he should be much, much better than both Clausens.  ESPN's Mark May is a fan, saying that UT should be a BCS outsider because of their offensive line.  He didn’t add that UT has to go to Georgia and South Carolina, though.

WATCH OUT FOR

Tim Tebow (Quarterback, Florida)

He’s Florida’s version of Peyton Manning—except quicker.  If he leaves early, he’ll be the No. 1 pick in the draft.

Matt Stafford (Quarterback, Georgia)

Apparently 10 pounds leaner than he was last year, Stafford proved he could mix it up with the best of them in THAT overtime game at Alabama.

Knowshon Moreno (Running Back, Georgia)

Know this: This kid (in my opinion) is one of the most exciting things about college football in 2008.  He ripped apart Auburn and Florida last year, and he’s a big reason why the Bulldogs are ranked No. 1 (if that means anything).

Demetrius Byrd (Wide receiver, LSU)

Big, hard-working wide receiver who always seemed to be on end of last-chance saloon Matt Flynn throws.  He’s a monster big play threat—which LSU will need if they are get out of the West unscathed.

GRUDGE MATCHES

Alabama vs. LSU (Nov. 8)

You win a national title and then leave for the NFL, only to return to coach one of your former school’s most hated rivals.  That’s what Nick Saban did.  LSU fans have been waiting ever since his hiring for this one.

Florida vs. Georgia (Nov. 1)

Two unbeaten teams going up against each other, with national title implications on the line?  Can it get any better than this?

Every weekend in the SEC (Aug. 30 – Nov. 29)

Every weekend in the SEC is fun.  If it’s not gorgeous co-eds walking through Ole Miss’ Grove or Georgia’s North Lawn that makes your Saturday fun enough, it’s the games.  If it's the SEC, we just love watching it.  We can’t wait.

SO WHO SHOULD I PUT MY MONEY ON TO WIN IT ALL?

For the first time ever, I’m going to non-commit on this.  Not because I particularly want a side to win, but there are six teams who could win it.  Heck, I’m going for Auburn.  Just for fun.