2010 College Football Preview: Alabama To be Dethroned in SEC Shocking Season
The SEC is always one of the best conferences in college football. In 2010 the SEC offers more than one team that can win the national championship. The SEC is stocked with talent from top to bottom and always provides some of the best games of the season.
The Top Ten Online Sportsbooks have posted the odds on each team to win the SEC conference. These odds are placed on each team to win the division and the conference.
Here are my predictions for the SEC in 2010 and where the teams will finish the in the standings and who will be the eventual champion of the conference.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
SEC West Predictions:
1. Arkansas Razorbacks
The Hogs return nine starters on the highest scoring offense in the SEC last year. Bobby Petrino will run his high octane offense with the help of quarterback Ryan Mallett who is considered to be in the running for the Heisman trophy . His weapons will be back in place and the Hogs will be able to score with anyone in the country. But the problem may lie in the defense. The Hogs struggled on defense last year, but if the seven returning starters have improved, the Hogs can fight for the West title. They host Alabama early in the season in what could be the most important game of the season. The Hogs will win that game and that will lead to the SEC West title.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
The National Champions are ready to defend their title. They return eight players on offense and that includes a devastating backfield combination of Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram and sophomore Trent Richardson, along with quarterback Greg McElroy. On defense, the Tide bring back just two starters from one of the best defenses in the country. But that won’t stop Nick Saban from reloading. Dre Kirkpatrick will emerge as a defensive stopper and make plays from day one. The tide has a very tough schedule and will have a huge target on their back. They fall just short of returning to the title game.
3. Auburn Tigers
Head coach Gene Chizik will have the Auburn Tigers ready to play and challenge for the SEC West title in 2010. Auburn will return 16 starters in all, including four out of five offensive linemen and the talented backfield of Mario Fannin and Onterrio McCalebb. Cameron Newton transfers in at quarterback and the Auburn offense will be tough to deal with in the West. The defense could be in trouble, as they allowed the most points per game in the SEC last year. That will be the only thing that will keep them from contending for the title this year.
4. LSU Tigers
LSU is a powerhouse in the SEC but as the competition gets tougher in the West, they will find it harder to keep up. Jordan Jefferson returns at quarterback, but if the Tigers are going to succeed they need to have him play consistent and mistake-free. Last year, mental lapses cost the Tigers a few wins, and with a tougher schedule this year they can’t afford those types of mistakes. The schedule is a brutal one for LSU, as they go on the road to face Auburn, Florida, Arkansas and North Carolina. LSU returns just four starters on defense, but have enough depth and talent to compete.
5. Mississippi Rebels
Houston Nutt is a good coach, but he will have to be a miracle worker to make Ole Miss a winner this year. Dexter McCluster and Jevan Snead are gone and this team returns just 11 starters from last year’s squad. Jerrell Powe returns at nose tackle to lead a defense that ranked in the top 25 in defense. This team still has room to grow, and will unfortunately spend this year at the bottom of the SEC West.
6. Mississippi St Bulldogs
It will be another long season for the Bulldogs of Mississippi St. They are just not talented enough to compete in the SEC West. Dan Mullen is doing his best at head coach, but it will take some time to find the right pieces that fit. They will have a better team than in recent years but are still not ready to make a move in the SEC.
SEC East Predictions:
1. Florida Gators
The big story in Florida this year will be the loss of Tim Tebow to the NFL and how his replacement, John Brantley , will fare in his place. Brantley is a precision passer that will be able to extend the field and score often with his deadly accuracy. The Gators offense will be fine but the defense will have to reload from a season ago. DE Carlos Dunlap, LB Brandon Spikes, and big-play CB Joe Haden are all gone and those are some big shoes to fill. Urban Meyer has never had a problem recruiting and the Gators make take some time to gel on defense but they will still be one of the best in the SEC.
2. South Carolina Gamecocks
Steve Spurrier returns eight starters on offense to include talented quarterback Stephen Garcia. For Garcia to have a great season, he will need help upfront from an offensive line that surrendered the most sacks in the SEC. The Gamecocks return seven starters on a defense that ranked in the top 20 nationally in total defense. The key game will be at Florida and this could be the game that makes or breaks the season for the Gamecocks.
3. Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia returns 18 starters to the 2010 team and will be ready to compete for the SEC title. Mark Richt brings in a new defensive scheme as the Dawgs will play a 3-4 this year and he has assembled a coaching staff to make the transition easier. The only question mark may be at the quarterback position. Redshirt freshman Aaron Murray will get the nod and if he can excel, the Dawgs will be a team to fear in 2010. They finished last year winning four out of five. That momentum will bring some high expectations to Georgia for this year.
4. Kentucky Wildcats
Joker Phillips takes over as head coach in Lexington and he will have some work to do to make the Wildcats contenders. Kentucky returns just five starters on offensive and will have to replace four offensive linemen. The Wildcats struggled on offense and defense and not much should change in 2010. The Wildcats will have their streak of four straight bowl games snapped this year.
5. Tennessee Volunteers
Derek Dooley takes over at Tennessee for a team that is in serious transition. The Vols lost a ton of talent in the off-season and bring back just four players from a lackluster offense. Lane Kiffin bolted for USC and the Vols will need a few years before they can realistically challenge for the SEC title. The Vols were given one of the tougher schedules in the SEC and will struggle to finish above .500.
6. Vanderbilt Commodores
Vanderbilt returns just 11 starters from a team that stumbled in conference play last year. The good news is they should improve on offense as they were ranked 110th in the country last year. Jordan Rogers comes in at quarterback as a JUCO transfer, and running back Warren Norman returns as the biggest playmaker on offense. Vanderbilt will have some good games throughout the year, but will battle for the bottom of the SEC East.
SEC Championship Prediction: Arkansas beats Florida for the SEC Title
The SEC should provide some entertaining football for this season and it will be interesting to see how the season unfolds.
Here are some other college football previews and predictions for the 2010 season.
Here are some other college football previews and predictions for the 2010 season.
2010 BCS Championship College Football Predictions
2010 College football Pac-10 Preview and Predictions
2010 College Football Big East Preview and Predictions
2010 College Football Big Ten Preview and Predictions
2010 College Football Big 12 Preview and Predictions
Handicapping the Heisman Race in 2010
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
