2012 SEC Football Schedule: 5 Bold Predictions for Next Season's Conference Play

With only the bowl games left, the college football season is rapidly coming to a close.

The SEC has just released its schedule, and there are quite a few great matchups to look forward to.

There is no conference that is more appealing than the SEC. It's already considered the best conference in the sport by many, but it should be an even better next year with the additions of Texas A&M and Missouri.

This conference continues to get even stronger.

While we still have a few games left, it's never too early to make predictions for next season. But anybody can make plain and boring predictions.

Here are five early bold predictions for next seasons SEC conference play.

Vanderbilt Will Win at Least Five Games in the SEC

Although Vanderbilt only won six games this season, that's a two-game improvement for the last two seasons combined. The Commodores are playing much better under head coach James Franklin and look to build off that success. 

The defense was solid, giving up less than 21 points per game and forcing 27 turnovers. The running game also got going as they averaged over 150 yards a game on the ground.

The schedule isn't that difficult either as they finish up with Kentucky, Tennessee and Ole Miss. I also think they'll be able to steal a couple of early games too.

Vanderbilt is no longer the doormat of the SEC, and it will prove that this season.

Missouri Will Only Win Two Games in the SEC at the Most

Missouri has been a solid team in the Big 12 and is always a challenge in big games. It has a ton of upsets over the years. But it's also only managed only three double-digit winning seasons since 1960.

The Tigers have a great program, but it will take them a while to compete in college football's toughest conference. Especially with a schedule that includes Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Florida and Texas A&M.

Welcome to the SEC!

Arkansas Will Knock off Alabama

If you thought the Razorbacks had a good offense, averaging 37 points per game this season. Imagine just how explosive they're going to be with nearly everybody returning and a healthy Knile Davis at running back.

That's really one of the reasons they lost to the Crimson Tide this season, as you can't have a one-demonsional offense against a great defense like Alabama.

Expect Arkansas to be healthy this time and give Alabama its first loss of the season.

Kentucky Will Beat Florida

Kentucky will lose a lot of players, especially on defense but it has a solid recruiting class coming in that has a lot of depth. They're also going up against a Florida team that nearly lost to Furman this season. So, anything can happen, right?

Okay, maybe this may be pushing it a little bit.

But Kentucky hasn't beaten Florida since 1986, the streak has to end soon. Why not next season?

Georgia Will Run the Table in the SEC

The Bulldogs are a very young team, but at the same time is loaded on both sides of the ball. The defense is stacked and quarterback Aaron Murray may be the best in the conference. Running back Isaiah Crowell should also improve on a somewhat disappointing freshman season.

Georgia lucked out with an easy SEC schedule as the toughest game will likely be at South Carolina. They don't have to play Alabama or LSU this year.

It won't be that easy, but I like the Bulldogs running the table in the SEC and winning the East again.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]