SEC Preview from Gatorsfirst

Written by Chris Canada, Gatorsfirst.com Co-Founder

This is the second in the gatorsfirst.com series of season previews & interviews for the upcoming 2009 college football season from around the nation. Check back every day to see more previews from other blogs around the country, with a much more in-depth preview of other conferences and teams than we could ever provide.

Today’s SEC preview is with Florida Gator fan Chris Canada. Chris held an interview yesterday.

Conference Championship Florida over Ole Miss

Projected Conference Finish

East

Florida 12-0 (8-0)

Georgia 10-2 (7-1)

Tennessee 8-4 (4-4)

Kentucky 6-6 (2-6)

South Carolina 5-7 (2-6)

Vanderbilt 3-9 (0-8)

West

Ole Miss 11-1 (7-1)

Alabama 10-2 (7-1)

LSU 9-3 (5-3)

Arkansas 7-5 (3-5)

Auburn 5-7 (2-6)

Mississippi State 4-8 (1-7)

I really don't see the Gators losing this season. Yes, that's probably some small percentage of homerism showing, but it's mostly based on what I've already seen of this team. As Einstein said ''The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.'' This team is poised to repeat, and I don't think complacency will be an issue as Urban Meyer, Tim Tebow, and Brandon Spikes won't allow it.

As for the rest of the Eastern division, Georgia is clearly the next best team, and should be very good. They will definitely be an extremely tough opponent for the Gators is Jacksonville, but I think the Gators will have just enough for the W.

I see Tennessee having a bounce-back season, even though they have a buffoon as a coach. They have a lot of talent coming in, as well as a bunch of good assistant coaches to keep Kiffin in line, including his dad. Kentucky should have an average season, but good enough for a bowl berth. I think South Carolina will fall off a bit, and Vanderbilt will be dreadful.

In the West, it's hard to deny the claim that Ole Miss is going to win the division. If you look at their schedule, they have both Alabama AND LSU at home, and they don't have to play Florida or Georgia from the East. Both Alabama and LSU will definitely challenge, but Jevan Snead, Dexter McCluster and Co. should lead Ole Miss to the championship game.

Top Five Freshmen/Newcomers

1. Andre Debose, WR, Florida

2. Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

3. Omar Hunter, DT, Florida

4. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

5. Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

I think many people are excited to see if Andre Debose can fill the large shoes of Percy Harvin. Gator fans are just hoping that at the very least he can make a few game-changing plays.

Rueben Randle was a big-time receiving recruit, and should be a good replacement for Demetrius Byrd. As I've said in my D-Line preview, I'm really excited to see Omar Hunter's impact on the Gator defensive front. Also, Alabama has a two newsters Trent Richardson and Dre Kirkpatrick that could make an immediate impact.

Top Five Breakout Players

1. Jordan Jefferson, QB, LSU

2. Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

3. Michael Smith, RB, Arkansas

4. Caleb King, RB, UGA

5. Emmanuel Moody, RB, UF

I expect Jordan Jefferson to make a name for himself this season. He played great in last year's bowl game and he has a cupboard full of speedy playmakers out their ready to make a difference. I think some people will underestimate LSU due to their rough showing last year, so look out for him.

Second year Arkansas Razorback coach Bobby Petrino is very happy he'll have the talents of former Michigan starter Ryan Mallett. Petrino has a good track record of building college quarterbacks, and Mallett should thrive. Luckily he'll have a beast at running back in Michael Smith. Smith surprised a lot of people last season by being able to get so much out of his small frame, including Florida, whom he ran wild on.

Caleb King has the difficult task of taking over for Knowshon Moreno. As with the 264 Georgia running backs before him, Bulldog fans will think he's the next coming of Hershel Walker. Fortunately for them, I think King will be a pretty good player.

I discussed the prospects for Gator running back Emmanuel Moody in my RB preview. If Demps and Rainey are lightening, Moody is most definitely thunder. This bruising tailback is coming of what some can perceive as a disappointing year after transferring from USC. However, when you look at it, it’s not really his fault that coaching staff was reluctant to put him in after Demps and Rainey started scorching everyone. He has a few bright spots, including great showings in the Tennessee and Georgia games, as well as topping 100 yards against the Citadel. He’s been the most impressive back this spring and I expect him to be a force in our backfield for the next two years.

Player of the Year Tim Tebow, QB, Florida

Offensive POTY Jevan Snead, QB, Ole Miss

Defensive POTY Eric Berry, S, UT

Overrated POTY Terrance Cody, DT, Alabama

Underrated POTY Michael Smith, RB, Arkansas

Tim Tebow is the best player in the SEC, if not the nation. Pure and simple. I think we all know that. However, former Florida recruit and Texas transfer Jevan Snead is not too shabby. He led a high powered offense last year that had it's way with Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl.

Although I'm obviously a big fan of Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes, I think the best defensive player in the SEC, and probably all of college football for that matter, is Tennessee safety Eric Berry. He's strong, fast, and has a knack for the big play. He has 12 career interceptions, and he's really close to setting the NCAA record for interception return yards, and he's only been playing for two years.

I think the most overrated player in the SEC is Alabama defensive tackle Terrance Cody. Yes, he's big and is able to move people around. But from the small sample of videos I've watched on him, I don't see him changing the game as much as every one claims that he does. As for the most underrated player, I'll bring up Arkansas's Michael Smith. You'll probably see him rush for well over 1000 yards this season.

SEC Bowl Projections

BCS Championship Game: Florida v. Texas

Sugar Bowl: Ole Miss v. TCU

Cotton Bowl: Alabama v. Oklahoma State

Capitol One: Georgia v. Illinois

Outback Bowl: LSU v. Penn State

Chick-Fil-A Bowl: Tennessee v. Georgia Tech

Liberty Bowl: Arkansas v. Memphis

Music City Bowl: Kentucky v. Bowling Green

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