SEC Western Division Preview: Early Thoughts Of The Season

For me, its too early to start divvying out who will go where this season.  Its too early as well cause I have not had time to buy every single pre-season magazine yet that has become available.  So with that in mind, here is some thoughts for the Western Division of the SEC.

Alabama

Nick Saban is definitely bringing in the talent to Alabama, which is nothing but a complement to his reputation as a recruiter.  What is interesting is that fans seem to be thinking more about the future than what will happen this season.  John Parker Wilson will have his hands full again, playing with a depleted Wide Receiver corps and under new offensive coordinator Jim McElwain.  The defense has lost a lot of key players, and the leadership roles will most likely come from FS Rashad Johnson, DE Bobby Greenwood, and ILB Rolando McClain.  Alabama may look at another teeth grinding season ahead.

Arkansas

Arkansas has been flipped upside down.  Not only is there a new sheriff in town with Bobby Petrino, but RBs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones are gone as well.  This will be a team trying to identify itself all season long, but QB Casey Dick may have found his groove with Petrino.  Arkansas overall had a breakout spring, especially at the wide receiver position and for TE D.J. Williams.  The defense is completely depleted at linebacker and secondary.  The front four of Arkansas's defense will be its strong point.  This team is the definition of the dark horse, though SEC fans know it takes a defense to win in this conference.

Auburn

By far the team with the least number of questions is the team from the loveliest village on the Plains.  Auburn had a good spring, with an unexpected battle at QB between Kodi Burns and Chris Todd.  Both were good in their spring game (14-21 for 142 yards, TD and 18-27 for 190 yards, TD) and a lot has to be seen from Offensive Coordinator Tony Franklin.  WR Rod Smith is the hot target for the young QBs, who leads a plethora of receivers who are coming of age.  And let us not forget the four RBs (Ben Tate, Mario Fannin, Brad Lester, and Tristan Davis).  The defense boasts many returning starters at linebacker and the secondary.  The defensive line has some depth issues, but the starting four, lead by DE Antonio Coleman, will be solid.  If Auburn can take off on their new offense, they will be the team to beat.

LSU

Many have given LSU a pass since QB Ryan Perrilloux was kicked from the team, but LSU is a team to be looked at for sure.  LSU is still deep at running back with RB Richard Murphy looking to be the top back going into the start of the season.  QB will be a big time question mark until the season starts with redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee and Harvard transfer Andrew Hatch battling for the top job.  The defense will be interesting to watch.  They have lost six starters, including Glenn Dorsey, and will have a lot to prove in the secondary and the outside linebackers.  They will also be under two co-defensive coordinators (Doug Mallory and Bradley Dale Peveto) after Bo Pelini's departure to Nebraska.

Mississippi

This is another team that will try to find itself this season.  Houston Nutt, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated coaches in the country.  Nutt has some talent to use this season.  QB Jevan Snead and RB Cordero Eason came about in their spring game, which both are behind a mostly returning offensive line.  This alone should make Ole Miss move the ball more consistently this season.  The defensive line will be the Rebels strong point, with many holes in the LB and secondary.  Houston Nutt should have some success early in his first season, though it may not come to often.

Mississippi State

Sylvester Croom will have another run at a bowl bid this season with his team.  The spring game really did not showcase a lot, but QB Wes Carroll will be the main guy behind center.  TB Anthony Dixon will be getting plenty of carries this year, who is a big, tough, and bruising back that will help define the Bulldogs's play action play calling.  The defense return eight starters but lose a big play maker in DB Titus Brown.  The linebackers and secondary should be solid going into the season, as well as the middle of the defensive line, led by DTs Kyle Love and Jessie Bowman.

This is just food for thought right now.  Enjoy at your lesuire my fellow SEC and college football fans. Coming soon will be the SEC East Division Preview.

WAR EAGLE!