HogSportsTalk.com Releases 2009 SEC West Predictions

HogSportsTalk.com
By Christopher Anderson Owner/Publisher

Our staff at HogSportsTalk.com recently released our 2009 SEC West predictions. 

1. Alabama (10-2 overall and 7-1 SEC)–The Tide will have an early test in Atlanta against Virginia Tech, and, with an inexperienced quarterback, we believe the Tide will lose a close heart-breaker.

Hold on Tide faithful, it gets better. Arkansas comes to Tuscaloosa three weeks later (after the Tide win the Sun Belt of course) for the first SEC game of the year, and Bama should win a great match up.

The only road game that appears to be a problem is Ole Miss on Oct. 10th, and this game may very well decide who goes to Atlanta for the SEC championship. Home games against Tennessee and LSU are always tough for Bama, but Nick Saban has to breathe a sigh of relief because they are in Tuscaloosa. 

The season always ends with Auburn, and the Tide will hold up a second finger along side the middle one that has pointed toward the Plains since last year. Screw the THUMB!

Auburn better get ready to fear the fist of Saban for many years to come.

The Bottom Line–Alabama wins the West, and goes to Atlanta once again.

2. Mississippi (10-2 overall and 6-2 SEC)–The hype on Ole Miss for the 2009 season is amazing. The Right Reverend has his congregation drinking something there in Oxford, and it must be working...for now. 

OK, we will try to be nice!

The Rebels have a very winnable schedule this year, with an unbelievable two games against the lesser division one teams (formerly 1-AA). Yes, two games!

That means Houston Nutt will have to win at least seven games to attend a bowl this year, but with this cupcake schedule the 173 ineligible players he signed in the Spring could field a team and win.

Hey, we said we would try! 

We believe Ole Miss will beat Alabama, but lose two other games in the SEC and not make the trip to Atlanta. 

The Bottom Line–Ole Miss will have a great season, but lose two SEC games they should win.

3. LSU (9-3 overall and 5-3 SEC)–The Tigers are an interesting team to try and predict this year. They have found a running back in Charles Scott, who rushed for 1,174 yards and 18 touchdowns, but the big question is at quarterback. 

Jarrett Lee threw 16 interceptions last season and is still around, but the man to keep an eye on is Jordan Jefferson. He had streaks of brilliance in 2008, and we believe he will continue doing well for the Tigers. 

The defense looks tough, but the front line has to be replaced. Road games at Georgia, Alabama, and Ole Miss are brutal. Tough home games include Florida and rival Arkansas to close the season for the Golden Boot. 

The Bottom Line–Les Miles will have his team improved, but not enough to contend for the West title.

4. Arkansas (8-4 overall and 4-4 SEC)–Bobby Petrino returns a host of starters from a very young team last year. The Razorbacks have two very fine SEC caliber quarterbacks in Ryan Mallett and Tyler Wilson. After sitting out last year after transferring from Michigan, Mallett will get the nod and start for the Hogs. 

Let it be known though that Wilson could start for the majority of SEC teams tomorrow.  So what does that say about Mallett then? It says Bobby Petrino is back in business and his "FEED the STUDS" philosophy is high on the Hog. 

As always, Arkansas is loaded at running back with the ALL-SEC senior Michael Smith returning, and Southern California transfer Broderick Green (if he is eligible).

The Hogs return a plethora of talent at receiver, and have All-American tight end candidate DJ Williams returning. 

The defense is the biggest question mark for the Razorbacks, but will be better than last season after giving up a lot of yards.

Once again Arkansas has one of the toughest schedules in the country with road games at Florida, Alabama, Ole Miss, and LSU. They have Georgia, Auburn, South Carolina, and an always tough Troy at home. The Hogs take on Texas A&M in Dallas at the Cowboys new stadium as well. 

The Bottom Line–Arkansas will have an explosive offense, but the defense will be its weakness.The Hogs can, and will, have to put a lot of points on the board this season.

5. Auburn (6-6 overall and 3-5 SEC)–It was surprising to us that Tommy Tuberville was fired last season. It was even more surprising they hired Gene Chizik as the new head coach (although Chizik DID hire an unbelievable staff to help the Tigers win big).

It all starts with offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, who led Tulsa the previous year as the top offense in the country. It's no secret the run-happy fans at Auburn had a difficult time accepting Tony Franklin's offense last year before he was let go, so hopefully the "Gus Bus" will be in full motion this season. 

We believe it will, and Tiger fans will be shocked at the points on the scoreboard. Road games at Tennessee, Arkansas, LSU, and Georgia will prove to be tough for the Tigers this year. They will struggle in the SEC, and it's a toss up whether they will go bowling. 

The Bottom Line–Coach Chizik needs to gain the confidence of the fans. In addition, he is taking a gamble by hiring a young, innovative offensive mind to get him there. It's always tough to predict a season with a new coach, but we believe the Auburn Tigers have just as good of a chance as any team to play in a bowl.

6. Mississippi State (4-8 overall and 2-6 SEC)–Dan Mullen is the new head coach for the Bulldogs, and he brings a lot of energy to Stark-Vegas. Just like Gene Chizik was a surprise hire at Auburn for us, Mullen was a surprise hire at Mississippi State... except this one was positive. 

The Bulldogs should be proud to have a young coach with an offensive mind and an impressive resume such as Mullen's. The season starts with a probable win against Jackson State, but two SEC road games shortly follow versus Vanderbilt and Auburn.  Then it gets interesting with LSU, Georgia Tech, and a tough Houston team at home. 

It doesn't get any easier with Florida, Alabama, and Arkansas up next. MSU finishes out the year at home against rival Ole Miss, and you never know... not every one in the state of Mississippi is drinking the Kool-Aid. 

Sorry, had to get that last jab in. 

The Bottom Line–The Bulldogs are on the right track with hiring Dan Mullen, but we believe it's going to take a couple of years to get there. Coach Mullen had a fine recruiting class in 2009, and the future is bright for the Bulldogs.

Link To Original Article...

http://www.hogsportstalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=21791.0

Tomorrow we will submit the East.