2008 SEC Outlook: Tebow's Gators poised for another championship run

As the summer days heat up, so does the anticipation for the upcoming college football season.  And, down south, that excitement is more akin to a religious-like passion.  As usual, the Southeastern Conference is stocked with several teams that are not only legitimate threats to win the conference title, but the league is also filled with multiple teams that will be major players on the national scene.  Despite the glut of contenders, come early December, we will likely see familiar faces roaming the sidelines in Atlanta.  

In the SEC West, the bottom of the conference should be much improved.  Although Arkansas loses a lot of talent, including star running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, the addition of head coach Bobby Petrino has excited a fan base that is hungry for an SEC title.  Nevertheless, the Hogs remain a couple of years away from serious contention as Petrino will need time to fully implement his pass-happy offense. 

While Mississippi State proved to be ahead of schedule last season with an 8-5 record that included a Liberty Bowl victory over Central Florida, the momentum may not last.  Mississippi State's strength may prove to be a senior laden defense, led by free safety Derek Pegues and linebacker Jamar Chaney.  However, the 2008 Bulldogs will likely struggle to become bowl eligible, especially when you consider that they must travel to LSU, Tennessee, Alabama and Ole Miss.  With the Bulldogs falling, rival Ole Miss has a realistic opportunity to take a step up the ladder.  Granted, it will not take much to improve from last year's 3-9 campaign, but new head coach Houston Nutt inherits a quality talent base.  Former head coach Ed Orgeron may not have produced wins, but his recruiting prowess has left the Rebels in a favorable situation, of which Nutt will surely capitalize on in the upcoming seasons.

The top of the SEC West is represented by both Auburn and LSU, who will again compete for division supremacy, with the Alabama Crimson Tide making a little noise as well.  The Tide will be well-served with senior quarterback John Parker Wilson under center and leading the way.  Wilson, the school's all-time leader in single-season passing yardage, has been largely unappreciated by the Bama faithful.  His leadership and toughness has been underrated, and those skills will surely be called upon this season.  Alabama returns 13 total starters, with 10 of 11 offensive starters returning.  So, needless to say, defensive-minded head coach Nick Saban will largely rely upon an experienced offense led by Wilson and rising sophomore running back Terry Grant, who is coming off a super freshman year in which he averaged five yards per carry and rushed for nearly 900 yards in only 11 games.  The x-factor will be the development of Saban's defensive unit.  The Tide's hopes and dreams of an SEC title will be determined on the road, as they travel to Fayetteville, Athens, Knoxville and Baton Rouge - a road schedule that will prove to be too much for Bama.

That leaves LSU and Auburn.  These two programs have firmly established themselves as the best in the West.  The talent assembled in Baton Rouge will once again give the LSU Tigers a chance to not only be in the mix for another SEC crown, but Les Miles and his troops will also be in position to compete for, and defend, the BCS title.  Defensive linemen Ricky Jean-Francois and Tyson Jackson, along with linebacker Darry Beckwith, will lead a talent-rich defense that returns five starters and is virtually two-deep at every position.  On offense, the unexpected loss of highly-touted quarterback Ryan Perrilloux may be the difference in LSU simply competing for a conference championship and them actually winning a championship.  The projected starter is redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee, who has potential, but his inexperience and unproven ability may hamper an otherwise experienced and deep offensive team that returns seven starters.  Look for the Tigers to rely heavily on the ground game with junior running back Keiland Williams leading the charge.  In 2007, Williams rushed for 478 yards on only 70 attempts, averaging nearly seven yards per carry and scoring seven touchdowns.  Versatile speedster Trindon Holliday also will provide a boost as a running back, wide receiver and kick returner.  Senior wideout Demetrius Byrd will lead a skilled receiving corps and provide a reliable downfield threat.  In the end, LSU will be right in the mix for an SEC West title, with their championship hopes riding on their ability to get it done away from Baton Rouge.  The Tigers face challenging road tests at Auburn, Florida and South Carolina, with the September 20th match-up on the Plains likely being the deciding factor as to who makes reservations in Hotlanta.

Tommy Tuberville, arguably the best coach in the SEC, made a decision to shake up his coaching staff this off-season, bringing in new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin from Troy State and new defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads from Pittsburgh.  Franklin introduces the spread offense to the Tigers, which appears to be a perfect fit for athletic sophomore Kodi Burns, who possesses the ability to run and throw.  Junior college transfer, and former Texas Tech Red Raider, Chris Todd, who played for Franklin in high school, is familiar with the spread offense and is expected to compete for the starting job.  Junior running back Ben Tate is a proven asset in the backfield, coming off a season in which tallied 903 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.  Brad Lester and Mario Fannin add depth and production to the ground game.  This team returns 16 total starters and should be vastly improved on the offensive line.  Defensively, tackles Sen'Derrick Marks and Antonio Coleman should lead the way for an experienced defense.  The War Eagles face a typically tough SEC schedule, however, their most challenging conference battles will be played at Jordan-Hare Stadium, as they host LSU, Tennessee and Georgia.  This home-friendly schedule will catapult the Tigers to the SEC West title, and ensure that Toomer's Corner is appropriately "rolled."

The SEC East race is headlined by the usual suspects, with Florida and Georgia as the early frontrunners.  The traditional cellar dwellers in the SEC East have made progress over the past few seasons, with Vanderbilt flirting with bowl eligibility in each of the past three seasons under head coach Bobby Johnson.  Vandy returns only three offensive starters and will have to replace their leading rusher and receiver.  A quarterback controversy between Chris Nickson and Mackenzie Adams will only compound the Dores' problems, resulting in yet another year at the bottom of the East. 

The Kentucky Wildcats are coming off a season to remember, that included a win over eventual BCS champion LSU, an 8-5 record and a bowl victory over Florida State.  Capable junior quarterback Curtis Pulley will take the reigns following the departure of All-SEC performer Andre Woodson.  Pulley will be surrounded by offensive weapons such as Dicky Lyons, Jr. and Derrick Locke.  The Cats return eight defensive starters, including talented defenders such as Micah Johnson and Trevard Lindsey.  The experienced defense will not be enough to overcome a schedule that includes traditional East division contests with Florida, Georgia and Tennessee.  The Cats will likely assume their usual position - one notch above lowly Dores.

The old ball coach returns 17 total starters and is fortunate to have a schedule that requires the majority of South Carolina's toughest conference opponents to travel to Williams-Brice Stadium.  The Gamecocks return 10 of 11 defensive starters, led by star linebacker Jasper Brinkely, who will be coached up by new defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson, a former head coach at the Citadel.  The offense will be anchored by top-notch receiver Kenny McKinley, who reeled in 77 catches last season, totaling 968 yards and nine touchdowns.  South Carolina's success will depend on the consistency and stability of the quarterback position, with rising redshirt sophomore Chris Smelley being given the keys to the car.  Spurrier's son, Steve Jr., will be taking over the playing calling duties in 2008 - but, don't expect any major differences, as the visor throwing Spurrier remains USC's offensive coordinator.  The Gamecocks' experienced defense will be their strength, however, the lack of overall balance will dash any hopes of contending for a division title.

The Tennessee Volunteers are coming off of a somewhat surprising 10-win season that included an unexpected trip to the SEC Championship Game.  UT returns 14 starters, but loses leadership and production on both sides of the ball in quarterback Erik Ainge and linebacker Jerod Mayo.  Defensive coordinator John Chavis is excited about his 2008 unit; in particular, freshman all-american Eric Berry and junior Demetrice Morley could very easily develop into the best safety combo in the nation.  Also, junior linebacker Rico McCoy has the talent to be an All-SEC first teamer after recording 106 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss in 2007.  However, the Vols are unproven up front and must develop on the defensive line if they want to defend their East division title.  Lack of a consistent pass rush has been a major issue for the Vols in recent years.  Defensive linemen Demonte Bolden, Dan Williams and sophomore Ben Martin must rise to the occasion for the Big Orange.  Despite questions on defense, the most intriguing questions surrounding the 2008 Vols revolve around new offensive coordinator Dave Clawson, the former head coach at the University of Richmond.  Tennessee returns proven talent on offense, and will surely rely on senior running back Arian Foster, who needs only 685 yards to become UT's all-time leading rusher.  Junior quarterback Jonathan Cromptom performed well in the spring scrimmage, answering looming questions about the quarterback position.  Despite winning the SEC East in 2007, the Vols are only three years removed from a 5-6 record and they have not won an SEC title since 1998, with no BCS appearance since 1999.  Clearly, this is a critical season for head coach Phillip Fulmer.  As usual, the Vols have a very challenging schedule - that said, road trips to Auburn and Georgia may be enough to knock the Vols out of the SEC East race.

The Georgia Bulldogs finished last season with a number two national ranking and they return 17 starters from that 11-2 Sugar Bowl champion team.  Mark Richt's Dawgs were as hot as any team in America down the stretch of 2007 and look to ride that wave of momentum into the 2008 season.  Georgia running back Knoshon Moreno is a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender entering 2008, as he is coming off a spectacular freshman year in which he rushed for 1,334 yards and 14 touchdowns.  Junior quarterback Matthew Stafford, one of the SEC's most talented signal callers, has exhibited signs of greatness, but has yet to live up to lofty expectations.  Defensively, Geno Atkins and Jeff Owens provide strength up front and will be the anchors on what could be the best defensive line in the conference.  Linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and cornerback Asher Allen both have All-SEC talent and are expected to have big years in 2008.  Georgia's talent and depth is extraordinary at nearly every position.  However, this team, who may very well be improved from last season's team, may not enjoy as much success due to a brutal conference road schedule.  The Dawgs will travel to South Carolina, LSU and Auburn in conference play, not to mention home games with Tennessee and Alabama, and, of course, that yearly neutral field battle with the Gators in Jacksonville.  On paper, it looks like this Georgia team should be the team to beat.  While this team is talented enough to beat any team in America, the high expectations and the unbelievably difficult schedule will be too tall of a task for UGA. 

That brings us to the mighty Gators.  Urban Meyer's squad is athletic, fast, versatile and deep.  Oh, and they also a have pretty decent guy under center.  In fact, junior quarterback Tim Tebow is truly one of the most special athletes the college football world has seen in decades.  The defending Heisman Trophy winner has a great chance to win a second Heisman, as he plays in a system that will allow him to compile impressive statistics and he plays for a national title contender in the highly exposed SEC, which will enable him to showcase his skills in several nationally televised games that will undoubtedly involve national title implications.  The Gators also return sensational receiver/running back Percy Harvin, who rushed for 764 yards and also hauled in 858 receiving yards in 2007.  Plus, Tebow will reap the benefits of a more traditional running game this year, allowing him to be more rested and healthier down the stretch in 2008, as the Gators' ground game will add sophomore transfer from Southern Cal, Emmanuel Moody and speedy redshirt freshman Chris Rainey, who was spectacular in Florida's spring scrimmage.   

Overall, the Gators return 16 starters, thus, the inexperience that limited the Gators on defense last season will not be as big of a factor in 2008.  Junior linebacker Brandon Spikes recorded 131 tackles and 14.5 tackles for loss last year and will be the catalyst for a young and fast defensive unit that will be greatly improved.  Defensive ends Carlos Dunlap and Jermaine Cunningham will ensure that Florida's pass rush returns to form, but depth at tackle may be a legitimate concern.  This season, the x-factor will be the combination of an improved defensive unit and the fact that the Gators have all-world quarterback Tim Tebow running the show.  Pressure will be taken off Tebow in the ground game, which will result in a more complete and dangerous offensive gameplan.  The Gators get both LSU and South Carolina in the Swamp, and will play the Dawgs in neutral territory.  Additionally, the Gators have a favorable West division schedule, as both Auburn and Alabama are off the board this season.  For these reasons, Tebow and a lightning fast defense will guide the Gators to Atlanta, and, in turn, position themselves for a potential return to the BCS title game.

The SEC has once again distinguished itself as the best conference in college football.  The coaches, athletes, traditions and gameday environments are unmatched.  Florida, Auburn, LSU and Georgia are all legitimate BCS title contenders.  But, at the end of the day, Florida and Auburn look to be the cream of the crop.  Both teams return a high number of proven, experienced talent, and, most importantly, both teams will enjoy a home-field advantage over the LSU Tigers - which could be the deciding factor in pushing both to the Georgia Dome.  The edge goes to Urban Meyer and the supremely talented Florida Gators.  With Auburn and Florida appearing to be evenly matched, one must look at the the playmakers - of which Florida has more.  The impact of a more seasoned Tim Tebow cannot be understated.  The Florida Gators will win the SEC title and have an excellent chance to make it to Miami to play for the BCS title.