Who wins the SEC West?

The SEC seems to be at an all-time high as far as talent is concerned this season. With Alabama coming off of a perfect regular season, LSU flying high from a great season ending bowl win and Ole Miss picking up steam as well it seems the race has solidified itself to those three.  But what about Auburn with the new headliners and “run first” spread offense? Or will Bobby Petrino get his razorbacks back into the winners circle that they found themselves in not so long ago when that “run first” spread was in Fayetteville?  Finally, can Dan Mullen turn his Bulldogs into contenders?  Who knows for certain?  Here is what I think, team by team.

Alabama is the early favorite coming out of the gates it seems. They did just have an undefeated regular season. They also are returning some solid big name players.  However they must bring in a quarterback that was very highly touted as the Chase Daniel backup, but so far that is about the extent of his success. I watched the nationally televised spring A-day game for Bama and I must say that I was not very impressed.  He was subpar at best as well was the running game.  To the defense of the Tide, the star of the show, Mark Ingram, was out with injury.  The defense seems to be set for the front seven but after that, the depth seems to fall of a bit.  My biggest question is whether Alabama will have the stable and bruising rushing attack that opened up the deep ball for John Parker Wilson and kept the pressure off.  However, with the losses that they took in the draft and to graduation on the starting O-line, questions remain.  Undefeated?  Hardly not.  SEC West winner, don’t think so either.  My prediction: 9-3. 

Next up is Arkansas. Arkansas may just be one of the sleepers in the SEC this year.  I know, strange.  But I think with the coaching mind of Bobby Petrino and what he was able to accomplish at Louisville, I think that success is just around the corner.  I believe that it all starts with the quarterback.  With Ryan Mallet taking the reins I believe they have a legitimate shot at some wins.  However, with games at Florida, at Ole Miss, and to end the season for the Golden Boot at LSU, I think that keeps the hogs from being a serious consideration in this year’s SEC race.  They do return the entire front seven on D which will help, but with a hodgepodge of O-linemen and a sophomore quarterback, the return of two solid receivers and Michael Smith at tailback may be overlooked by a lack of progression.  Who knows?  My prediction: 6-6

 Now for LSU.  LSU is talent heavy as usual and has a lot of senior leadership on the defense.  The biggest question they seemed to have throughout the season last year was at the quarterback position.  Jordan Jefferson seemed to lock that up with a huge win over Georgia Tech last year.  But with Russell Shepard showing up in the fall the position could really get shaken up.  With a talented defense and running game that will be carried on the back of bruiser Charles Scott, I believe that LSU has a very legitimate chance to win the West this year.  Consistency is key as turnovers on offense and big plays that were given up on the defensive side of the ball ruined the Bayou Bengals last year.  A big play or two in the SEC is the difference between conference dominance and bottom feeder.  My Prediction:  9-3

            Mississippi may have its year this year.  These boys showed up to play under Houston Nutt last year.  A slow start deflated aspirations but then a huge win over Florida led them to a solid season finish and a bowl win over Texas Tech that set Jevan Snead and the Rebels on a sprint for the West crown in 2009.  With big playmakers Dexter McCluster and Shay Hodge returning on offense and 8 defensive starters back, they seem to be the rising favorite to win the West. The schedule this year is quite favorable with all the big names coming to Oxford this year. The SEC road schedule won’t be a cake walk, but it shouldn’t be a killer either.  They possibly have the easiest road to Atlanta this year.  My Prediction:  11-1

            Dan Mullen took his offensive mind and hard work ethic to possibly the deepest abyss that the SEC has seen in a long time.  Mississippi State has been a on the rapid decline for some years now.  Croom did his best but it just didn’t seem to be enough.  With a senior starter back at quarterback in Tyson Lee and stud bruiser Anthony Dixon at tailback, the offense should have the ability to win some games and score some points.  The defense has only 5 returning starters and could be the biggest problem that these guys will face all year.  Can the offense be productive enough to win?  I think so.  But the defense I think will give up the most early and sink this ship quite quickly in 2009.  Maybe better luck in 10.  My Prediction:  4-8

            Last but not least the Auburn Tigers.  What can anyone expect from them this year?  The Tigers definitely have a lot to prove on the offensive side of the ball.  The spring did little to answer the quarterback questions that have plagued the Tiger’s honestly for the past 3 years and counting.  With the talent that is returing in the backfield with Ben Tate and Mario Fannin, and the edition of Onterrio McCalebb this spring, it seems that the run first spread attack that Gus Malzahn brings to the table should fit right in.  The biggest question offensively outside of the quarterback controversy is the O-line.  Can they get back to the 2007 hard nose mentality?  It all starts up front.  The defense seems always to be replenished with surprises.  The weakest link may be the linebacking corps but with time Auburn should prove that they can still play defense.  The offense should come out running and the defense should be very competitive.  Still, I think that Atlanta is one more solid recruiting class and year away for the Tigers.  My Prediction:  9-3

That’s how I think the SEC West will shake out this year.  I know, a little early but its all in fun.  Thanks for reading.  SEC East to come soon.

SEC West:

1.      Ole Miss

2.      LSU

3.      Auburn

4.      Alabama

5.      Arkansas

6.      Mississippi State