SEC Eastern Division Predictions: Tim Tebow, Florida Look to Win Division

All right, here is the moment you have all been waiting for.  It is time for Tiger's SEC predictions for the 2008 season.

I tried my best to include all the up-to-date information on all 12 schools, along with five different sources (Lindy's, Athlon Sports, Phil Steele, Blue Ribbon, and Yahoo/Rivals) on the teams in the conference.

With all this information though, it'll be split into the two divisions.  As I write, I am working on the Western Division Predictions.  So without further ado...

SEC Eastern Division Predictions

1. Florida

2. Georgia

3. Tennessee

4. South Carolina

5. Kentucky

6. Vanderbilt

6. Vanderbilt

Overview

The Commodores are now riding a streak of 25 straight losing seasons, dating back to their last bowl appearance in 1982.  This season looks to be more rebuilding, as only nine seniors are on the squad.

Offense

Mackenzi Adams and Chris Nickson are battling for the starting QB job.  Nickson shone in 2006 but was hampered by injuries last season.  Adams came on strong against South Carolina and Miami (OH) with two wins there, but not much after.

Jeff Jennings and Jared Hawkings will be the two main RBs in the backfield this season.  Jennings will be trying to come back from a disappointing season, and Hawkings is looking to break out.

The early departure of Earl Bennett and the ACL injury to Alex Washington left a huge void in the WR department.  George Smith, a senior and returning starter, will likely miss the first game of the season against Miami (OH).  Sean Walker will be the main receiver for at least the first game.

At TE, it's anybody's guess.  Jake Bradford is the lead guy, but this position will be rotated a lot due to all three options having different strengths.

The offensive line will be somewhat green.  All five starters are gone from last year's team.  Thomas Welch, who converted from TE to LT, seems to be a projected NFL prospect if he does well in his new position.

Defense

The defensive line will lack depth this season, but not necessarily talent.  DE Broderick Stewart and DT Greg Billinger will be the two big playmakers for the DL this season.

The linebackers this season are young and unproven, but they do have potential.  Patrick Benoist shone against South Carolina, and coaches have been impressed with John Stokes.  Brandon Bryant has the weak side LB position locked down.

The secondary is the 'Dores major strength.  CB D.J. Moore leads a squad that has eight players with starting experience.  Myron Lewis, Reshard Langford, and Ryan Hamilton should round out the four starting positions nicely.

Special Teams

Both Bryant Hahnfeldt and Brett Upson return to their kicking and punting duties respectively.  D.J. Moore will be the main returner during this season.

Schedule

Vandy opens up at Miami (OH), which should offer an early glimpse on how the season will go.  Other non-conference games, such as Rice and Duke, should be a couple of wins for the 'Dores.

Their SEC schedule includes a tour of the state of Mississippi with away games at MSU and Ole Miss.  They also play Georgia at Athens.  Home wins will be tough, since they play Auburn, Florida, and Tennessee at Vanderbilt Stadium this year.

Final Analysis

Vanderbilt will be rebuilding this season for sure.  If the offense can muster anything better than their 107th rank in passing last season, it will be improved.  The defense will be young, but it has some good talent to help slow teams down.

Unfortunately, for this year, add another losing season to the streak before getting a legit shot at breaking the losing record streak next season.

5. Kentucky

Overview

Rich Brooks has brought the Wildcats to a point where many fans have wanted the program to be for a while.  They have had back-to-back bowl seasons and wins in the Music City bowl those two years.  Now it will be seen if they can continue their success and obtain their third straight bowl bid this season, which would be the second time in school history (first done in '49, '50, and '51 under the Bear).

Offense

To say that Kentucky lost many players on offense is an understatement.  In addition to the graduation losses, Chris Pulley was projected as the starter for the Blue and White, but off the field troubles have knocked him off the team.  Mike Hartline will now be the starting quarterback.

The offense will revolve around the stable of running backs.  Tony Dixon and Alfonso Smith will be the two main running backs sharing most of the load, but Derrick Locke and Moncell Allen look to help out with the carries as well.

At WR, Dicky Lyons will be the main focus this season, with several other young guys battle for the other two receiving positions.  It'll be interesting to see who may shine from this group.  TE T.C. Drake showcased his stuff in the spring and is anticipated to be a key member in both the passing and running attacks.

OT Larry Williams and OG Zipp Duncan should solidify one side of the offensive line, allowing the running game to take shape.  Jorge Gonzalez will start at center, with Matt Smith moving to center after backup C Jake Lanefski broke his hand.  Another move is Chris Goode to the offensive line from DE.

James Alexander is out for now with a sprained ankle.  Justin Jefferies returned to practice on Sunday.  These moves may change the makeup of the line.

Defense

If Kentucky wants to get to that third consecutive bowl game, the burden will rest on the shoulders of the defense.  The DL line has a solid front, but depth will be an issue.  Jeremy Jarmon is the star on the line, leading the team last season with nine sacks.

Nii Adjel Oninku should start opposite Jarmon, and DTs Corey Peters and Myron Pryor give the Wildcats veterans inside.  This unit should be one of the best in the SEC if it can stay healthy.

LBs should be lean and mean.  This is quite possibly the best LB unit Brooks has had in his tenure at UK.  Johnny Williams will remain at strong side while Braxton Kelley moves to WLB, allowing Micah Johnson to play in the middle.  The Kelley move to weak side allows all three top LBs to play at the same time.

The secondary took a hit after Paul Warford was declared ineligible for the season, but there should be enough talent to go around.  Trevard Lindley will start at the other CB position, with David Jones taking Warford's place.

Safeties Marcus McClinton and Ashton Cobb appear to be the starters for the season.  McClinton has six INTs and seven forced fumbles in his career.

Special Teams

This unit seems up in the air as far as who will play what, but it's between Lones Seiber, Tim Masthay, and Tyan Tydlacka.  Seiber looks to be the kicker and Masthay the punter.  Kentucky will have to look for new return men as they both lost Rafael Little and Keenan Burton.

Schedule

The non-conference games at the beginning of the season will allow UK to vie for another bowl bid this season.  The game at Louisville will determine if they start out 4-0 heading into SEC play.  If they do manage a 4-0 start, all they have to do is win two SEC games—Vandy and Arkansas look possible for this young squad.

Final Analysis

The 'Cats won't go for the Eastern Division title this season, but with their schedule, a third consecutive trip to a bowl game isn't out of the question.  The big game will be at the start of the season.  If they beat Louisville, getting to another bowl game will be easier for this young team.

4. South Carolina

Overview

The Gamecocks are looking to piece something together after a five-game skid cost them a bowl bid last season.  The hiring of two new coaches (Ellis Johnson, Def. Coor. and Ray Rychleski, Special Teams) and delegating of the play calling duties to Steve Spurrier's son have definitely changed things up in Columbia.  The soap opera doesn't end there, as other players have been involved in off the field incidents during the summer.

Offense

Quarterback will be a position to watch, as Chris Smelley, Tommy Beecher, and Stephen Garcia are all names in the hat.  Smelley and Beecher are vying for the starting job, but Garcia is the fan favorite (if he manages to stay out of trouble).  The latest news is that Smelley has injured his right thumb, and Garcia has an ankle sprain.  The jury is still out on Beecher.

Mike Davis steps into the starting tailback position and has 1,658 rushing yards over three seasons.  Davis is a good runner, but he will have to become an "every down" type of back to help the Gamecocks this season.  Brian Maddox looks to be the backup this year.

Whoever gets to throw the football will not have a shortage of targets.  Kenny McKinley leads the WR corps, with Dion LeCorn possibly becoming the No. 2 receiver (getting the drug charges dropped also helps).  Moe Brown will help round out this strong receiver corps, along with possibly the best TE tandem in the conference in Jared Cook and Weslye Saunders.

The offensive line, for the most part, is unproven, but they do have returning players with experience.  Jamon Meredith and Justin Sorensen are their two veteran tackles.  Heath Batchelor and Seaver Brown return with more experience at the guard position, and C Garrett Anderson replaces Web Brown.  This group should do better this go-around with more experience.

Defense

Nine starters return to a defense that had some problems down the stretch with their run stopping.  However, the injury bug that bit them last season, especially on the defensive line, has worn off, as six of the top eight players return, as well as Jordin Lindsey and Nathan Pepper.  This unit should be solid unless the injury bug bites again.

Former DE Eric Norwood has moved to LB this season, alongside his 270-plus pounds counterpart in Jasper Brinkley.  These two should be the tackling machines for this defense.  Rodney Paulk will more than likely be the starter at wide LB.

Three juniors (Captain Munnerlyn at CB, and Emanuel Cook and Darian Stewart at free safety) and senior Carlos Thomas at strong safety headline a strong, veteran secondary.  Look for true freshman Akeem Auguste to get some early playing time as well.

Special Teams

Ryan Succop handled all three duties last season, but help may be on the way.  Spencer Lanning may take over the punting duties to help Succop rest his leg.  McKinley and Chris Culliver look to be the main returners.

Schedule

Non-conference games against Wofford, UAB, and NC State will help with this team.  It also helps these teams are sprinkled through the season.  Tough matches against Georgia, LSU, Tennessee, @Florida, and @Clemson will be more fun than they can handle.

Final Analysis

South Carolina can do great things this season if they can get it together quickly.  Eight wins is not a far-fetched number this season, but it will determine on how quickly the players have improved over the offseason.

3. Tennessee

Overview

The defending Eastern Division champions will be going without David Cutcliffe at offensive coordinator again this season.  Fulmer, in his 17th season with the Vols, brings in new OC Dave Clawson, along with new RB and WR coaches (Stan Drayton and Latrell Scott).  What has stayed in Knoxville is most of the players and the defensive staff.

Offense

Jonathan Crompton will finally get his shot at starting for the Vols.  Crompton is talented and a smart kid, with reports of him adapting to Clawson's system pretty easily.  Experience is at a premium though.  Nick Stephens and B.J. Coleman will fight for the No. 2 spot.

Arian Foster bypassed the NFL to return for his senior season, much to the delight of Vol fans everywhere.  Montario Hardesty and Lennon Creer are both great backs that should give DLs everywhere fits this season.

The receivers will be a strength of the offense.  They are a deep and talented group.  Lucas Taylor, Austin Rogers, and Josh Briscoe combined for 186 catches last season, with Ahmad Paige and Quintin Hancock emerging as possible deep threats.  TE Jeff Cottam is expected to be a big player in the offense as well.

The OL has many players returning from the line that gave up an NCAA-low four sacks last season.  The five projected to start are as follows: LT Chris Scott, LG Anthony Parker, C Josh McNeil, RG Jacques McClendon, and RT Ramon Foster.  This is quite possibly the best OL in the SEC, if not the nation.

Defense

Demonte Bolden and Dan Williams both return at DT to help solidify the inside of the line.  DEs Robert Ayers and Wes Brown are quick and fast.  Sophomore Ben Martin also will be in the mix at DE.

Linebackers take a major hit with Jerod Mayo gone to the NFL.  This group is small but fundamentally sound.  Rico McCoy returns to Weak LB, and senior Ellix Wilson can play at any LB position.  Adam Myers-White and Nevin McKenzie, converted safeties, will battle for the last LB spot.

This is another team with a strong secondary, led by safeties Eric Berry and Demetrice Morley.  The corners are deep due to the injuries last season.  Marsalous Johnson, Brent Vinson, Antonio Gaines, and DeAngelo Willingham will all be stellar at CB.

Special Teams

Punter Britton Colquitt is out for five games due to a DUI charge.  Chad Cunningham will take over Colquitt's duties, while Daniel Lincoln will resume his duties at kicker.  Dennis Rogan, Lennon Creer, and Denarius Moore shared the returning last season.

Schedule

Three out of the first four games will be big tests: UCLA, Florida, and Auburn.  They play at Athens Oct. 11 and the always important "Third Saturday in October" against the Crimson Tide.

Final Analysis

Tennessee will improve on defense and have a stout running game behind a veteran OL.  The passing game will need to take shape with Crompton if they are to challenge for the Eastern Division title.  Like the Gamecocks, eight wins and a bowl bid shouldn't be too difficult for the Vols to get this season.

2. Georgia

Overview

The Bulldogs definitely made a case for being No. 1 last season, and many preseason picks have them starting out at that top spot.  Mark Richt has brought Georgia to very high level. Kudos to him and his staff for the team on the field—if they could only keep the players from trouble off the field.

Offense

Two words at quarterback: Matthew Stafford.  The young man as come along brilliantly in his years at Georgia.  Though his numbers have been a little modest, they shouldn't be any more with the talent returning this season.  Joe Cox will be the main backup for the Dawgs, and he isn't a slouch either.

Two more words: Knowshon Moreno.  He blasted onto the scene last season with 1,332 yards and 14 TDs last season.  But Dawg fans are drooling over new RB phenom Caleb King.  The two should pair for quite a powerful tandem out of the backfield.  FB Brannan Southerland is out for a max of five games.  LBs Benjamin Boyd and Justin Fields move to FB to help Shaun Chapas stay fresh.

Stafford should have no problem finding capable receivers in this group.  Seniors Kenneth Harris and Mohamed Massaquoi lead the experience in the corps, Kris Durham and Walter Hill are big targets, and Demiko Goodman has traded in his track shoes for a pair of football cleats.  Let's hope for Georgia's sake they have improved on their consistency.  Trip Chandler is the big guy at TE that will add another weapon to Stafford's arsenal.

The offensive line is the major question mark.  Though three starters return, Clint Boling moves from left guard to right guard (and looks likely to start the season after his DUI charge was changed to reckless driving), Chris Davis moves from guard to center, and the Dawgs just lost left tackle Trinton Sturdivant to a knee injury.  The line will be shuffled around to get the best mix, but they don't have a lot of time.

Defense

This is a scary bunch, with nine of 11 starters returning this season.  The Dawgs were 14th a year ago in total defense and return three starters (DE Roderick Battle, and DTs Jeff Owen and Geno Atkins), and DE Jeremy Lomax saw plenty of playing time last season.

All three starting LBs return.  Akeem Dent, Dannell Ellerbe, and Rennie Curran will be the big-hitting players on the field.  More nickel packages will be seen, so Dent may not play as often as it seems.  Darryl Gamble has impressed the staff during the offseason.

Prince Miller, Asher Allen, and C.J. Byrd all return in the secondary, with Reshad Jones being probably the best athlete in the group.  Others, including Quintin Banks and Bryan Evans, will see significant playing time, as the whole unit is stacked with talent and experience.

Special Teams

Here is the big gaping hole for the team.  Brandon Coutu was automatic, but he has moved on.  Blair Walsh is the new kid on the block with plenty of leg strength—he just needs the experience.  Brian Mimbs returns as the team's punter, and Drew Butler helps out with the depth.  Return men include Asher Allen.

Schedule

Here is where this team will prove itself.  They get two easy games against GA Southern and Central Michigan.  After that, it's all uphill.  The biggest stretch for this team will be from Oct. 25 through Nov. 15, as they play @LSU, Florida at Jacksonville, @Kentucky, and @Auburn.

Final Analysis

This team is possibly the best in the nation this season.  The reason they finish No. 2 is I believe they will lose two games in that four-game SEC road trip—and I'm even calling for the winning teams to be wearing orange and blue.

1. Florida

Overview

Urban Meyer has put Florida completely back on the National Title map in just three short years.  There have been coaching moves in the offseason, including adding Asst. HC/Defense and DL coach Dan McCarney.  Unfortunately, the injury bug has hit the Gators hard, with five players going down with torn ACLs.

Offense

Tim Tebow's play speaks for itself.  The Heisman Trophy winner returns with his arsenal intact from last season.  The only chink in his seemingly invincible armor is last-minute drives to win ball games.  Chalk it up to experience, if you will.  He'll be a better quarterback this season—it just may not show up on the stat sheets.

The running back position has many players that could fill this void, including Tebow.  Emmanuel Moody and Chris Rainey will all be a part of the rushing attack, along with Percy Harvin and Tebow doing similar runs to what they did last season.

The WRs are led by the aforementioned Harvin and Louis Murphy.  Many other receivers, including JUCO transfer Carl Moore, Riley Cooper, and freshman Deonte Thompson, all have speed and talent that round out one of the best WR corps in the country.  TEs take a hit with Cornelius Ingram suffering a torn ACL injury, but Aaron Hernandez will help out filling the void.

The offensive line has three seniors (LT Phil Trautwein, LG Jim Tartt, and RT Jason Watkins) and two sophomores with substantial playing time (C Maurkice Pouncey and RG Mike Pouncey).  The issue for this unit is not so much depth or talent, but health.

Defense

The DL returns ends Jermaine Cunningham and Carlos Dunlap, which will help solidify the pass rush.  The tackle position is the big question.  Javier Estopinan, Justin Trattou, Troy Epps, and Terron Sanders are all battling for the two interior slots, with Omar Hunter the big name freshman in the mix for playing time.

With the problems on the line, it helps to have all three LBs back in the fold.  Brandon Spikes will be in the middle, with Dustin Doe flanking him at wide.  A.J. Jones and Lorenzo Edwards will be battling for time on the strong side.

The secondary is unproven, as they were burned by Michigan in the bowl game last January.  Safety Major Wright and corners Joe Haden and Wondy Pierre-Louis return after gaining much-needed experience last season.  Will Hill and Ahmad Black will find their way into the other safety spot, and all will see time on the field.  Dorian Munroe won't be in the mix, as he is one of the unlucky ones with a torn ACL.

Special Teams

True freshman Caleb Sturgis will be the main guy with field goals, as he booted a 60-yard attempt through the uprights.  Chas Henry will handle the punting duties again.  Brandon James is a beast in returns, and they may finally get a TD out of a kick return (which would be their first in 10 seasons).

Schedule

Florida's schedule fits nicely with the team they have.  They have non-conference games against Hawaii and Miami to start out with, before the annual grudge match between the Gators and the Vols.

LSU on Oct. 11 at the Swamp and vs. Georgia in Jacksonville Nov. 1 should shape up their season.  The Georgia game will easily be the turning point for each team.  One other note about the schedule: Auburn is missing from it.

Final Analysis

The offense basically returns intact, and the defense can do nothing but improve from last season.  This team might not be as talented on paper as Georgia, but their "easier" schedule definitely helps pave the way to another SEC championship appearance.