B/R Preseason Conference Poll Selections for the SEC

The 2012 college football season is less than 30 days away, and fans around the SEC are confident in their team's chances of taking the championship.

It's a good time to be a fan as every team is 0-0, and this could be the most competitive season yet in the conference. LSU, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia and South Carolina are thought to be the best of the bunch, but watch out for dark horses like Auburn and Florida, as they have enough talent and experience to make noise in their respective divisions.

And who could forget the SEC's newest additions, Texas A&M and Missouri? How will they stack up in an already crowded race for an SEC championship?

It's time put up or shut up, and it's time to predict each team's finish in the best conference college football has to offer.

SEC EAST: 7. Kentucky

It should be another long year for the Kentucky Wildcats.

They simply don't have enough weapons to compete with the elite defenses in the SEC. Senior wide receiver La'Rod King is the best offensive threat they have, and in order for him to be dangerous on the outside, someone has to get him the ball.

The brightside is that the Wildcats return two quarterbacks with experience in Max Smith and Morgan Newton. The downside, however, is that nobody knows how good Smith really is. He played well against Mississippi State and Ole Miss, had a sub-par performance against Vanderbilt and struggled against Georgia in the four games he saw action last season.

Add in the fact that Newton is still trying to bounce back from shoulder surgery and that Kentucky's potentially most-talented quarterback, freshman Patrick Towles, doesn't arrive on campus until August, and all signs point toward the Wildcats finishing last in the SEC East.

Predicted Record: 4-8

SEC East: 6. Vanderbilt

Head coach James Franklin got the ball rolling for his Vanderbilt Commodores in 2011, but can he avoid a drop off in 2012?

It's hard to turn a program from their losing ways in the hardest conference in football, but Franklin had his Commodores competing a year ago. In fact, the Commodores finished ahead of both Tennessee and Kentucky in the SEC East.

And though Vanderbilt is returning a nice triple-headed monster on offense in quarterback Jordan Rodgers, running back Zac Stacey and wide receiver Jordan Matthews, they lost two outstanding defensive players in linebacker Chris Marve and cornerback Casey Hayward.

They'll prove to be tough to replace even though the Commodores have plenty of experience returning on defense. Vanderbilt will pick up a few wins in conference, but they'll start the season 0-1 after meeting the Gamecocks in their season opener.

Predicted Record: 6-6

SEC East: 5. Missouri

James Franklin is the best dual-threat quarterback in the league, and that will help Missouri compete in the SEC East.

Missouri not only has a special quarterback, but they have a talented, charismatic receiver in T.J. Moe, an excellent cornerback in E.J. Gaines and a poised coach with Gary Pinkel.

So don't be mislead to think Missouri doesn't stand a chance in the SEC; that's just not the case. But with that said, the Tigers do travel to Florida, Tennessee and South Carolina this season, and not to mention, Missouri draws Alabama from the SEC West.

Missouri's inaugural season in the SEC will be much like a roller coaster ride. Expect plenty ups and downs.

Predicted Record: 6-6

SEC East: 4. Tennessee

It very well could be do or die for Derek Dooley.

After going 1-7 in the SEC East last season, Dooley's seat is getting rather warm. Lucky for him, he has his star players returning healthy and ready to go.

After both quarterback Tyler Bray and wide receiver Justin Hunter went down with an injury last season, the Vols season was as good as lost. Bray returned shaky and threw four interceptions in the last two games, but after a year of experience, he should be experienced enough to lead this team—that is if he's gotten over throwing beer bottles and golf balls at parked cars.

If Bray can get his act together, he has the 2011 league-leading receiver in Da'Rick Rogers returning alongside Hunter. And while the Vols do return a lot of experience in the secondary, most likely, the offense will have to carry this team. If Bray lives up to his potential, don't be surprised to see the Vols upset a team like Georgia or South Carolina this season. The Vols will get back on track.

Predicted Record: 8-4

SEC East: 3. Florida

Can "the stare of death" liven things up in The Swamp?

With this defense, Will Muschamp is guaranteed to have a better season than a year ago. How could he not? Muschamp lost his starting quarterback in 2011 with an ankle injury and after Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel were thrust into the fire as freshmen last season, they should be better off for it.

After serving as a defensive coordinator at Texas, LSU and Auburn, Muschamp is renown for his defensive mindedness. Combine that with the playmaking abilities of defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd, linebackers Jelani Jenkins and Jon Bostic, and safety Matt Elam, and the Gators could serve as a dark horse for the SEC crown.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Florida is still rebuilding—and rebuilding well I might add—but they're still absent of a game-changing quarterback, which is something Georgia and South Carolina both have. 

Predicted Record: 8-4

SEC East: 2. South Carolina

The schedule is what's separating the Gamecocks from winning the SEC East in 2012.

Steve Spurrier hasn't held back in expressing his discern for the schedule he received compared to the schedule Mark Richt and Georgia received. And to be honest, that's understandable.

South Carolina will travel to LSU and play at home against Arkansas, while Georgia plays at Auburn and at home against Ole Miss. That's not exactly fair, but hey, them's the breaks.

That gives Georgia the inside track for winning the division, but still, South Carolina will have a great season with Connor Shaw and Marcus Lattimore leading the offense and Jadeveon Clowney, Devin Taylor and D.J. Swearinger heading the defense.

Predicted Record: 10-2

SEC East: 1. Georgia

Can Aaron Murray and the Bulldogs put a smile on the face of the "original Gator hater" by bringing home an SEC championship?

In the sake of not unveiling the predicted SEC champion, we'll just leave them as SEC East champions for now. The race in the SEC East should come down to Georgia and South Carolina, which makes their game on Oct. 6 a can't miss matchup.

But before the Bulldogs get there, they'll have to face Missouri in the second game of the season with the possibility of not having Baccarri Rambo, Branden Smith or Sanders Commings in the defensive backfield. They should be able to manage that, but by the time they get everyone back, the Bulldogs could challenge LSU and Alabama as having the best defense in the conference.

Led by Jarvis Jones, the Bulldogs return nine starters from a defense that gave up 20.6 points per game last season. Though South Carolina will have an impressive defense as well, it will be inferior to the Bulldogs'.

Predicted Record: 11-1

SEC WEST: 7. Ole Miss

Poor Ole Miss.

When a friend can no longer talk trash because he's lost complete faith in his team, it just isn't fun to make fun of him anymore. This is the case for my Rebel friends.

But with a new head coach comes new beginnings. Despite Ole Miss losing one of their biggest playmakers due to being academically ineligible, they still return running back Jeff Scott, wide receiver Donte Moncrief and safety Charles Sawyer. All of which are exciting playmakers, so who knows?

Ole Miss may have an upset or two in them this year. But while it's important to remain positive, it's also important to be realistic. Hugh Freeze is going to have to put in a lot of time before lifting this program back up.

Predicted Record: 3-9

SEC West: 6. Texas A&M

Welcome to the SEC West, Texas A&M.

This division can make a good team borderline irrelevant, and that's what the Aggies will be battling in 2012. However, don't expect the Aggies to fold immediately.

The Aggies will have one of the better offensive lines in the league with Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews anchoring the tackle positions. They also have one of the best wide receivers in the league in Ryan Swope and a very talented running back in Christine Michael. And let us not forget about their outstanding linebacker, Sean Porter.

But Texas A&M will also have a new quarterback under center. Jameill Showers has to be thinking that he has the worst timing in the world. Becoming the new Texas A&M quarterback when they make the move to the SEC West isn't exactly auspicious.

Predicted Record: 6-6

SEC West: 5. Auburn

The 2012 Auburn team has something that the 2011 team was missing: experience.

The Tigers return offensive playmakers such as Phillip Lutzenkirchen, Onterio McCalebb and Emory Blake, but Auburn fans are stirring about the defense, as they should be.

With four returning starters on the defensive line and the secondary nearly returning intact, Auburn will be much, much better than they were a year ago.

That and the fact that the Tigers get LSU and Arkansas at home this year has Auburn fans excited about this season. However, Auburn won't return to the championship form in 2012, but they'll inch closer.

Predicted Record: 7-5

SEC West: 4. Mississippi State

Mississippi State will challenge LSU and Georgia for having the best secondary in the conference.

Led by Corey Broomfield, Nickoe Whitley and Jonathan Banks, the Bulldogs have a fierce defensive backfield, but unfortunately, they play in the SEC West.

If Mississippi State was in any other conference, they would be contending for a conference championship. That's how much potential is on this defense, especially with Cam Lawrence, who was second in the conference last year in tackles (123) returning.

But the schedule will most likely get the better of the Bulldogs. They could kick off the season with seven straight wins, but it's going to be tough to win after that when you play Alabama, Texas A&M, LSU, Arkansas and Ole Miss in a row without an open week.

Predicted Record: 7-5

SEC West: 3. Arkansas

Arkansas couldn't ask for a better leader to rely on than Tyler Wilson.

Not only is he one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, but Wilson has turned this negative offseason into something positive.

Wilson will miss Joe Adams, Jarius Wright and Greg Childs, but he still has Chris Gragg and Cobi Hamilton to throw to. As for the defense, there will be some new faces, but they return two outstanding linebackers in Alonzo Highsmith and Tenarius Wright.

But of course, the biggest question is if the Hogs can survive without Bobby Petrino calling the shots. The answer is yes. Wilson is good enough to still lead this team to another successful season, but Arkansas will still play in the shadows of LSU and Alabama.

Predicted Record: 9-3

SEC West: 2. Alabama

Let's be honest, the SEC West will come down to Alabama and LSU once again.

No matter how many great games are scheduled in the SEC this season, all eyes will be on the November 3 matchup between LSU and Alabama. So why is LSU picked to beat Alabama out in the SEC West?

The answer is simple. If you want a full breakdown of both teams, check out my comparison here if you missed it. With both teams having playmakers across the field, LSU will have the advantage this year because Alabama will be playing at LSU.

But more specifically, Alabama will be coming off of a game with Mississippi State, while LSU is coming off of an open week. That's an advantage that LSU should take advantage of, and furthermore, give them an edge over Alabama. Expect the Tigers to emerge from another classic between these two teams.

Predicted Record: 11-1

SEC West: 1. LSU

This was supposed to be the year for LSU, not last year.

This LSU team returns an experienced group that knows how to go through the regular season undefeated, and they're motivated after losing the national championship to Alabama. That's a lethal combination.

Add in the fact that this team is basically the 2011 version with a legit passing threat, and it's plain to see why 2012 has been pitted as LSU's season.

Zach Mettenberger lacks experience, but he won't have to be superman on this team. If he can manage the game and keep defenders from loading the box, the Tigers should have another magical year. He's more than capable of doing so.

Predicted Record: 12-0

SEC CHAMPIONS: LSU

So yes, the 2012 SEC Championship looks to be a rematch from last year.

Except this year, it should be more competitive. Georgia took it to LSU in the first half of the game last season, but LSU ran away with it in the second half en route to a 42-10 victory.

With Aaron Murray poised to have a breakout performance in 2012 and the defense looking to be one of the league's best, the Bulldogs could give LSU fits. Both teams match up well on offense and defense, but LSU's special teams should outplay everyone.

With Brad Wing's punting, Drew Alleman's kicking and Tyrann Mathieu's return abilities, special teams play should be the difference in this game and allow the Tigers to repeat as SEC champions. The Tigers will win a close one.

Predicted Score: 27-21