2009-2010 Conference Outlook: SEC

The 2009-2010 Conference Outlook will be a small preview of every conference in NCAA Division 1 Football. It will go over different categories regarding this season. 

First up, SEC. 

Best Team: Florida Gators. This is of course the obvious pick, the Gators are already ranked #1 in the Nation so I don't see why they wouldn't be #1 in the SEC. The Gators season will ride on the shoulder of none other then their Sr. QB Tim Tebow, with him playing well not many teams can stop them.

Worst Team: It is very difficult to pick the "worst team" in the SEC, I don't really think there are any bad teams, every week is a struggle especially on the road. But since I have to pick somebody, it's got to be Kentucky. They will make it tough for opponents, but they don't have the same talent as a Florida or a LSU. The biggest concern with the Wildcats is that they have not one Senior on the roster this year, a lack of experience and talent won't get it done for Kentucky this year. 

Surprise/Sleeper Team: For me this is a toss-up between Ole Miss and Georgia. Both teams are ranked in the top 15 of the pre-season polls, but the SEC being as difficult as it is it will be one of these teams to have a surprising year. Georgia without Stafford or Moreno will have some work to do and starting off in Stillwater against Oklahoma St. will be extremely difficult, but I do believe despite a tough schedule Georgia will have a big year. Ole Miss on the other hand has Jevan Snead returning, now with two years of college football experience will help the Rebels chances. The Rebels do not have a terribly tough schedule also, and the best part they don't have to play Florida again. 

Disappointing Team: With all the hype this off-season it seems like Tennessee is just setting themselves up for a disappointing year. Many distractions, a tough schedule (@Florida, @Alabama, @Ole-Miss), and not a very good running game the Vols will not get it done this year. 

Shocking Upset: Who will be the Ole-Miss of this year. You can call me crazy, but I am going to have to go with South Carolina over Florida on November 14, the craziest part about this pick is how late in the season this, and how good Florida is late. But I believe that Spurrier's Gamecocks will upset the Gators. Stephen Garcia is going to have to have a big game, and South Carolina's defense will have to prevail.

Best Player Offense: QB Tim Tebow Sr. Florida Gators-The obvious pick, the biggest pass-run threat in the NCAA, he is just the toughest player to stop. With a 172.37 Passer Rating, 2,746 passing yards, and 27 touchdowns last year the former Heisman winner (a candidate again this year) is not only the best QB in the SEC, but the best player 

Best Player Defense: LB Brandon Spikes Sr. Florida Gators-It is difficult to give every category to Florida, but when you are as good as the Gators you deserve it. Spikes led the Gator defense last year with 4 interceptions and 93 total tackles, 8 of them for loss. I look for Spikes to give opposing quarterbacks fits this year.

Surprise/Sleeper Player Offense: QB Jevan Snead Jr. Ole-Miss Rebels-Snead who did have a solid year in 2008, he is still my pick for this category. Despite throwing for over 2,700 yards and 27 touchdowns, I think he will surprise people by putting up even bigger numbers in 2009. 

Surprise/Sleeper Player Defense: DB Eric Berry Jr. Tennessee Volunteers-Berry, who has already surprised the college football world by being named to the National Player of the year list, led the SEC with 7 interceptions last season. He needs to do the same in order to help the Vols win close games this year. 

SEC East Champion: Florida Gators-In order for this pick to be true, the Gators will have to beat the Georgia Bulldogs, if not I think it will be the Dogs atop the east. But that being said I don't believe the Gators can be stopped this year (except by the Gamecocks of course) but if they do lose an SEC game that will be the only loss, Gators will go 7-1 and make it to the SEC Title game.

SEC West Champion: Ole-Miss Rebels-No not LSU, not Auburn, and not Alabama. Jevan Snead and the Rebels will win the SEC West with no worse than a 6-2 record and will be in the SEC Title game.

SEC Championship Game: Florida Gators vs. Ole-Miss Rebels. A rematch of 2008's biggest upset where the Rebels stunned the Gators by two. I think a little of the same will happen in 2009 but this time in the SEC Title game. Ole-Miss, who does not play the Gators in the regular season, will take them down again for the SEC Championship.

It should be another wild and crazy year in the SEC, and of course in the NCAA. I look forward to seeing how my predictions play out and how the 2009-2010 season plays out. Next up on Conference Outlook, the Big 12.