Ole Miss and Alabama Won't Surprise Anyone This Year

This time last year many thought LSU and Auburn would battle for the SEC Western Division Championship.  Alabama was a very dark horse and Ole Miss was was an afterthought at best.

What a difference a year makes.

This year many have picked Ole Miss to win the West and battle Alabama for that crown.

Both had breakout years last year and showed what they were capable of doing.  With each team returning the bulk of those teams this year, it is easy to see why much is expected of these teams this year.

However, this year, neither team will be taken lightly as they were for much of last year.  They won't be sneaking up on anyone this season. In fact, everybody on their schedule knows they better bring their A game or lose.

For both these teams, this could make 2009 a harder season.

Houston Nutt and Ole Miss have one historical trait in common.  Both do well as an underdog and have failed to live up to expectations when the lights upon them are the brightest. This is one of those of those years for both of them.

Nick Saban and Alabama also do well as an underdog but both have come through when the lights were the brightest.  Forget about Utah's win at the Sugar Bowl for a second and think of all the other times both have been held in the spotlight.

Alabama is not as uncomfortable in the harsh lights as Ole Miss and you can bet that this year's game at Oxford, Mississippi will draw all the national attention it deserves.

It shouldn't go without saying that LSU justifiably feels that it will have a say in the SEC Western Division race as well, but clearly the winner of the Tide-Rebel game will have the inside track.

Questions that will help answer whether either will make it to the SEC Championship Game are:

1. Can Ole Miss QB Jevan Snead avoid the "sophomore slump"?

2. Can Tide QB McElroy fill John Parker Wilson's shoes?

3. Can either overcome losses on the offensive line?

4. Can a Nutt led team finally excel under the pressure of "Top Dog" status and go wire to wire?

5. Is there another sleeper out there that can steal it from both of these teams?

This coming season will provide the answers and it will be a lot of fun to watch it all unfold.