College Football Predictions 2011: Over-Under Win Total on Every SEC Team

Are you ready for some—college football? 

Yes, we have seven or so months before the 2011 college football season, but the Internet is full of chatter about which team and/or conference will find success.  This time last year very few if any thought that Auburn would win the BCS title.

The SEC continues to reign supreme winning five straight BCS titles, and with the most rabid and loyal fans in the land.  With the NFL flirting with a lockout next season, the 2011 college football season may take on a whole new fan base that is craving competitive football action.

Which SEC team will rise up and win the conference title and defend the BCS title?  Which team will fall unexpectedly?  Will there be another surprise team like Auburn in 2011?

The following analyzes each team along with early predictions on their final record for 2011.

James Walker is a National and Syndicated Writer for Bleacher Report.  You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook.  He can also be contacted via Google Talk/Buzz and Yahoo Instant Messenger as BRJamesWalker. 

SEC West: Ole Miss Rebels

Do you think "The Grove" was a saddened place this past season? 

First, the Rebels lost early to Jacksonville State Gamecocks in double overtime, and then Ole Miss went on to lose seven of eight SEC games in 2011.

Clearly, Jeremiah Masoli didn't bring glory to Oxford as hoped, and now that he is gone as quickly as he arrived, it will be interesting to see what Coach Nutt can bring to the table.

2010: 4-7 overall, 1-7 SEC

2011: 4-7 overall, 1-7 SEC

SEC West: Arkansas Razorbacks

Whenever I think of the 2010 Arkansas Razorbacks the word that immediately comes to mind is almost. 

They were in position to win every game but came up a bit short, e.g. Alabama and Ohio State.

Now that QB Ryan Mallett has departed for the NFL, head coach Bobby Petrino must find someone to step up and fill his shoes.

And those shoes are pretty big.

Arkansas will most likely suffer from graduation and see a considerable drop-off.  How far will they fall is yet to be determined.

2010: 10-2 overall, 6-2 SEC

2011: 8-4 overall, 4-4 SEC

SEC West: Mississippi State Bulldogs

Whereas the Ole Miss fan base must be experiencing uncertainty, the Bulldog faithful are feeling that the future is bright. 

Dan Mullen not only brought respect to Starkville with wins against Florida and Michigan, but has begun building a winning attitude with his coaching ability and enthusiasm for the game.

What will 2011 bring?  The Bulldogs will not win the SEC West but they will gain on their 2010 record.

2010: 9-4 overall, 4-4 SEC

2011: 10-3 overall, 5-3 SEC

SEC West: Auburn Tigers

Who would have thought that after being booed off the airplane that delivered head coach Gene Chizik to Auburn a BCS title would be bestowed upon the program two years later. 

You can throw in a Heisman Trophy winner and a little bit of controversy into the mix, too.

Now that phenom, former Florida Gator and Heisman Trophy Winner Cam Newton has left early for the NFL, the Auburn Tigers are left to wonder what the future holds for the War Eagle Nation. 

One thing is for certain: their not repeating as BCS National Champions.

2010: 13-0 overall, 8-0 SEC

2011: 10-3 overall, 5-3 SEC

SEC West: Alabama Crimson Tide

It was the season that could have been. 

Starting the 2010 season as the No. 1 team in the land, the Crimson Tide blew by the Florida Gators as if they were standing still only to be upset the next week by the South Carolina Gamecocks.

It didn't get any better for Alabama against LSU and hated Auburn in the Iron Bowl. 

To say that the 2010 season was a disappointment would be an understatement.

Greg McElroy, Mark Ingram, and Julio Jones are all gone now.  Who will take their place?

2010: 10-3 overall, 5-3 SEC

2011: 9-4 overall, 4-4 SEC

SEC West: LSU Tigers

The LSU Tigers have a great football program with deep-rooted tradition.

With the "Mad Hatter" Les Miles leading the team it's just a matter of time before the Tigers bring home another BCS trophy.

Perhaps it will happen in 2011.

Some feel the LSU Tigers will be the No. 1 team in the country when the 2011 season starts.  We shall see.

2010: 10-2 overall, 6-2 SEC

2011: 12-1 overall, 8-0 SEC

SEC East: Vanderbilt Commodores

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

LEXINGTON, KY - NOVEMBER 13: Robbie Caldwell the Head Coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores gives instructions to his team during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Ly

It took just one season for former head coach Robbie Caldwell to figure out that the Vanderbilt Commodores is not the place to start a head coaching career in college football. 

Usually the door mat for all other SEC teams, the Commodores mustered two victories the entire 2010 season with one coming against lowly Ole Miss.

Now that head coach James Franklin has taken over in Nashville, the Commodores will have an offensive minded coach leading them into SEC mediocrity. 

Welcome to the basement, Coach Franklin.

2010: 2-10 overall, 1-7 SEC

2011: 3-9 overall, 1-7 SEC

SEC East: Kentucky Wildcats

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

LOUISVILLE, KY - SEPTEMBER 04: Joker Phillips the Head Coach of the Kentucky Wildcats gives instructions to his team during the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by

The Kentucky Wildcats are a basketball school, period. 

Yes, they field a football team every year, and get one or two wins they weren't suppose to get.

But when it's all said and done, the Wildcat faithful are simply counting the days before tip off in Rupp Arena.

2010: 6-6 overall, 2-6 SEC

2011: 4-8 overall, 1-6 SEC (they get to play Vanderbilt every season)

SEC East: Tennessee Volunteers

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 30: Head coach Derek Dooley of the Tennessee Volunteers watches on against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Im

The Vol Nation must be thrilled that the 2010 season has ended. 

It will take head coach Derek Dooley two or three seasons before he has Tennessee back competing in the SEC. 

Let's face it—the Vols should have dressed in Ethiopia they were so thin.

They will do better in 2011—if Dooley slams the program in reverse they may witness their fourth head coach in so many years. 

That could be a program killer.

2010: 6-7 overall, 3-5 SEC

2011: 8-5 overall, 4-4 SEC

SEC East: Florida Gators

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

GAINESVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 14: Former defensive coordinator for the University of Texas, Will Muschamp speaks to the media after being introduced as the head coach of the University of Florida on December 14, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. Muschamp is re

The Urban Meyer saga has concluded in Gainesville, and the Gator Nation awaits the Will Muschamp era in 2011. 

Growing up in Gainesville but playing at arch rival Georgia, the coach-in-waiting at Texas accepted the Gator gig and is now building a pro-style offense and bringing big name coaches to his staff.

John Brantley has decided not to transfer, and the Gators have incoming freshman Jeff Driskel ready to compete for the starting job. 

What the Gators do to better their 2010 debacle of a season should be interesting.

2010: 8-5 overall, 4-4 SEC

2011: 9-4 overall, 5-3 SEC

SEC East: Georgia Bulldogs

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Mark Richt and Hairy, mascot of the Georgia Bulldogs, celebrate their 42-34 win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Sanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Let me be very clear: if Mark Richt has another mediocre season, i.e. fails to get into a bowl game, then his career in Athens will be over. 

Some think that if Will Muschamp defeats him in 2011 that alone could cost him his gig.

The Georgia Bulldogs have a very talented team returning, albeit without their talented wide receiver A.J. Green. 

If Georgia doesn't compete to win the SEC East, then there is something seriously wrong with the Georgia Bulldog football program.

2010: 6-7 overall, 3-5 SEC

2011: 10-2 overall, 6-2 SEC

SEC East: South Carolina Gamecocks

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 13: South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier greets his players after winning a game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. The Gamecocks beat the Gators 3

Some question that the Ole Ball Coach's opportunity for winning the SEC title has come and gone. 

By losing to Auburn this past season in Atlanta, it may have been Spurrier's last and only chance to win the coveted title.

However, Stephen Garcia will return for his senior season, and with a very good defense, Steve Spurrier may get his Gamecocks back in Atlanta in 2011.

2010: 9-5 overall, 5-3 SEC

2011: 10-4 overall, 6-2 SEC