2009 SEC Football Outlook

Florida enters 2009 as the heavy favorite to repeat as SEC champs, and most think Alabama will be their to play them again in Atlanta.

There is some real intrigue with teams like Ole Miss, LSU, and Georgia. Can those teams step up and knock off the favorite in their divisions?

Then you have teams like Tennessee, South Carolina, Auburn, and Arkansas, who have the potential to be very good teams, but there are big question marks that need answering.

Here's a 2009 schedule breakdown, wins, losses, and toss up games for the conference. Now nothing is a sure thing in the SEC, but these are games each team should win, combined with games that could go either way.

FLORIDA: '09 Outlook, 8-0-4

Wins: Charleston Southern, Troy, Tennessee, at Kentucky, Arkansas, at Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Florida International

Losses: None

Toss Up: at LSU, vs. Georgia, at South Carolina, Florida State

The Gators should beat the Gamecocks and the Seminoles, but I think those games are just hard enough to not give them a win given the South Carolina game is on the road and the Noles are a rivalry game.

The games against LSU and Georgia are truly toss up games. There's no throwing your national championship ring in the stadium and getting a win there. Those two should be battles.

GEORGIA: '09 Outlook, 8-0-4

Wins: South Carolina, at Arkansas, Arizona State, at Tennessee, at Vanderbilt, Tennessee Tech, Auburn, Kentucky

Losses: None

Toss Up: at Oklahoma State, LSU, vs. Florida, at Georgia Tech

The Dawgs first six games are very tough, with it all beginning with a trip to Stillwater. Games against LSU at home and Florida in Jacksonville follow, then the trip to Georgia Tech at the end of the season. The Jackets upset the Dawgs in Athens last season.

It should be very interesting to see how Georgia comes out of the first six games. They really need a 4-2 start with Florida and Georgia Tech looming later in the season.

ALABAMA: '09 Outlook, 8-0-4

Wins: Florida International, North Texas, Arkansas, at Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, at Mississippi State, Chattanooga

Losses: None

Toss Up: vs. Virginia Tech, at Ole Miss, LSU, at Auburn

The Crimson Tide have a very favorable schedule to break in a new QB in 2009. The Hokies in game one should provide a stiffer test than Clemson did a year ago, and then the first huge SEC west showdown with Ole Miss in the middle of the season.

The Tide host LSU in early November which could be for the division title, then a trip to Auburn to end the year. Alabama will be a better team than Auburn, but the Tide hasn't won in Auburn since 2001, and rivalry games are always up for grabs.

LSU: '09 Outlook, 8-0-4

Wins: at Washington, Vanderbilt, UL Lafayette, at Mississippi State, Auburn, Tulane, Louisiana Tech, Arkansas

Losses: None

Toss Up: at Georgia, Florida, at Alabama, at Ole Miss

LSU is for the first time in years, flying under the radar in the western division. If they find a solid QB in Jordan Jefferson, watch out.

Those four toss up games could all be losses, I think a 2-2 split for the Tigers would be great considering the rest of their schedule. Three very tough road games should be a huge test this season.

OLE MISS: '09 Outlook, 8-0-4

Wins: at Memphis, SE Louisiana, at Vanderbilt, UAB, Arkansas, Northern Arizona, Tennessee, at Mississippi State

Losses: None

Toss Up: at South Carolina, Alabama, at Auburn, LSU

Maybe the biggest question in the SEC in 2009 is can the Rebels handle the hype? Much is expected from Jevan Snead this year, and they have the schedule and the talent to deliver.

Assuming they don't slip up in the should be wins, they face four big toss up games. An early season game at South Carolina could set the tone for the whole season, then the huge division rival game with Alabama, a tricky road trip to Auburn that could be trouble, and then a potential division deciding title game with LSU.

TENNESSEE: '09 Outlook, 6-4-2

Wins: Western Kentucky, UCLA, Ohio, Memphis, Vanderbilt, at Kentucky

Losses: at Florida, Georgia, at Alabama, at Ole Miss

Toss Up: Auburn, South Carolina

It's simple for the Vols, find a quarterback. They have enough talent in other places to win eight games, but they need a quarterback to run the offense and not mistakes. That looks like it will be Jonathan Crompton.

Some tough road games await the Vols, and it will take some big upsets for them not to lose four games this year. Now if they beat Auburn and Carolina at home, the Vols are looking at a very good bowl game, maybe even New Year's Day.

AUBURN: '09 Outlook, 5-2-5

Wins:Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State, Ball State, Kentucky, Furman

Losses: at LSU, at Georgia

Toss Up: West Virginia, at Tennessee, at Arkansas, Ole Miss, Alabama

The Tigers have the defense to win a division title in this league, what they don't have is a quarterback to do that. Auburn, much like Tennessee has to find that before they can do anything else.

A very tough schedule awaits Auburn in 2009 as well. Games at LSU and Georgia will be huge upsets if they win, which leaves a big group of toss up games. If you are an Auburn fan, a 3-2 record in those games would be a big success, but a 1-4 record in those games isn't out of the question at all.

ARKANSAS: '09 Outlook, 5-5-2

Wins: Missouri State, Texas A&M, Eastern Michigan, Troy, Mississippi State

Losses: Georgia, at Alabama, at Florida, at Ole Miss, at LSU

Toss Up: Auburn, South Carolina

The Hogs are a sexy pick as the sleeper team in the entire league this year. An improved offense thanks to new quarterback Ryan Mallett is the main reason, as well as lots of returning starters on defense.

The Hogs have maybe the toughest road schedule in the league however, with road games to Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss, and LSU, four of the best five teams in the league. The Auburn and South Carolina games at home could very well decide whether this team goes bowling or not.

SOUTH CAROLINA: '09 Outlook, 4-3-5

Wins: Florida Atlantic, South Carolina State, Kentucky, Vanderbilt

Losses: at Georgia, at Alabama, Florida

Toss Up: at NC State, Ole Miss, at Tennessee, at Arkansas, Clemson

Once again, will Stephen Garcia step up and take the reigns at quarterback and take the Gamecocks to the next level?

Much like Auburn, the toss up games are a plenty, and can create a big swing in the season outcome. That opening game at NC State won't be easy at all, that could be a tone setter game for the season. The game in Knoxville starts a four game stretch with games against Arkansas, Florida, and Clemson to end the year.

KENTUCKY: '09 Outlook, 4-5-3

Wins: Miami (OH), Louisville, UL Monroe, Eastern Kentucky

Losses: Florida, Alabama, at South Carolina, at Auburn, at Georgia

Toss Up: Mississippi State, at Vanderbilt, Tennessee

The Wildcats are looking to continue to build on their recent success, including a couple of bowl wins in a row. Their schedule doesn't do them any favors though.

Last year they only won two conference games, and now they trade Arkansas at home for a game at Auburn. Games against Mississippi State and at Vanderbilt are must wins if the Wildcats want to go bowling again.

VANDERBILT: '09 Outlook, 3-6-3

Wins: Western Carolina, at Rice, at Army

Losses: at LSU, Ole Miss, Georgia, at South Carolina, Georgia Tech, at Florida

Toss Up: Mississippi State, Kentucky, at Tennessee

The Commodores won their first bowl game in over 25 years last season, but a little tougher schedule awaits the Dores in 2009.

Last year upsets of Auburn and South Carolina put the over the hump for a bowl game. This year Auburn is gone, and a game at LSU is on, as well as that close win over Carolina is now a road game.

The Dores have to beat Mississippi State and Kentucky, and then pull an upset to make another bowl game this season.

MISSISSIPPI STATE: '09 Outlook, 2-7-3

Wins: Jackson State, at Middle Tennessee State

Losses: at Auburn, LSU, Georgia Tech, Florida, Alabama, at Arkansas, Ole Miss

Toss Up: at Vanderbilt, Houston, at Kentucky

This looks like one of the only teams in the SEC this year that there just doesn't seem to be a way to get to a bowl game. State has too many holes to fill, and a complete change in offensive philosophy will take time.

The Bulldogs have a very slim chance, if some fast freshman come in and contribute early, and they win all three toss up games, an upset would be all they would need for six wins, but count this as a rebuilding year in Starkville.