Revised 2010 SEC Predictions

A few days back i made my 2010 SEC Predictions on The Nelson Report.  Well I have a few Revisions since we learned a few things about eligibility of some key players. Here we go with the final Preseason version  of my predictions.  There are a lot of high expectations floating around some teams and now we are going to once and for all determine who is a pretender and who is a contender.  

Western Division #6 Ole Miss Rebels 6-6 (2-6)

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OXFORD, MS - OCTOBER 10: Coach Houston Nutt of the Mississippi Rebels yells instructions in their game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during their college football game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 10, 2009 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by

Houston Nutt has had back to back 9 win seasons at Ole Miss.  He will not reach 3 in a row.  I though it may be possible for the Rebels to go 8-4 and hit 9 with a bowl, but then Jeremiah Masoli was declared ineligible to play.  the Rebels will have to rely on the ground game and defense if they want to reach a 3rd consecutive winning season under the "Right Reverend."

H Jacksonville State 42-14 W

A Tulane 31-10 W

H Vanderbilt 28-7 W

H Fresno State 34-24 W

H Kentucky 21-27 L

A Alabama 20-34 L

A Arkansas 17-37 L

H Auburn 14-28 L

H UL-lafayette  45-10 W

A Tennessee 21-20 W

A LSU 17-28 L

H   Mississippi State 24-28 L

West #5 Mississippi State Bulldogs 7-5 (3-5)

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STARKVILLE, MS - OCTOBER 24: Head coach Dan Mullen of the Mississippi State Bulldogs, during pre game warm up against the Florida Gators, at Davis Wade Stadium on October 24, 2009 in Starkville, Mississippi (Photo by Rick Dole/Getty Images)

Dan mullen had a much improved state squad last year, and they will be much improved again this year.  The Bulldogs will reach a bowl game for the 1st time since 2007 and may be able to pull a shocking upset somewhere along the line against one of the better teams in the conference.

H Memphis 34-10 W

H Auburn 17-27 L

A LSU 20-28 L

H  Georgia 31-20 W

H  Alcorn State 49-9 W

A Houston 41-31 W

A Florida 23-31 L

H UAB 37-20 W

H Kentucky 27-17 W

A Alabama 14-27 L

H Arkansas 21-41 L

A Ole Miss 28-24 W

West #4 LSU Tigers 7-5 (4-4)

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BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 28: Head coach Les Miles of the LSU Tigers takes the field before the game against the Arkansa Razorbacks at Tiger Stadium on November 28, 2009 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers defeated the Razorbacks 33-30 in overtime.

Les Miles is on the hot seat after years of stupid decisions finally catching up to him. If Miles can't better his 8-8 SEC Record since he lost Nick Saban's star recruits he is toast and may be off to another unruly fan base up in Ann Arbor, Michigan before the start of the 2011 season.

N North Carolina 24-20 W

A Vanderbilt 31-10 W

H  Mississippi State 28-20 W

H West Virginia 24-31 L

H Tennessee 27-13 W

A Florida 17-38 L

H McNeese State 48-7 W

A Auburn 14-31 L

H Alabama 20-28 L

H UL Monroe 49-10

H Ole Miss 28-17 W

A Arkansas 20-35 L

West #3 Arkansas Razorbacks 10-2 (6-2)

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Texas A&M Aggies at Cowboys Stadium on October 3, 2009 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

With one of the best offensive coaches in the country and the best quarterback in the country Arkansas is a dark horse national Championship Contender in only Bobby Petrino's 3rd season.  If Arkansas can improve on defense the Razorback's may just find themselves in Glendale on January 10th.

H Tennessee Tech 55-17 W

H UL Monroe 52-13 W

A Georgia 41-21 W

H Alabama 35-31 W

N Texas A&M 37-34 W

A Auburn  27-34 L

H Ole Miss 37-17 W

H Vanderbilt 55-12

A South Carolina 24-28 L

H UTEP 66-17 W

A Mississippi State  41-21 W

H LSU 35-20 W

West #2 Auburn Tigers 11-1 (7-1)

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Coach Gene Chizik of the Auburn Tigers poses with the Outback trophy after defeating the Northwestern Wildcats in the Outback Bowl January 1, 2010 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Gene  Chizik's boy's started strong and were 5-0 and ranked #17 in 2009.  Then 3 straight losses (blowouts to Arkansas and LSU and a close home loss to Kentucky) knocked the Tigers back out of the public eye. They bounced back and Upset #24 ole Miss 33-21 and nearly crushed Alabama's National Title Bid.  The Tigers finished with a victory in the Outback Bowl.  A top 5 recruiting class has hopes high on the plains. Can Cheeze-Wiz pull off  a magical season?  Auburn gets most of their tougher opponents at home, well except for the toughest of them all.

H Arkansas State 49-14 W

A  Mississippi State 27-17 W

H Clemson 24-10 W

H South Carolina 28-23 W

H UL Monroe 41-13 W

A Kentucky 28-17 W

H Arkansas 34-27 W

A Ole Miss 28-14 W

H Chattanooga 52-6 W

H Georgia 34-21 W

A Alabama 23-24 L

West #1 Alabama Crimson Tide 11-1 (7-1)

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - APRIL 17: Coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide watches during the Alabama spring game at Bryant Denny Stadium on April 17, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Dave Martin/Getty Images)

The defending BCS champions return almost their entire offense and 3 key defensive starters to the 2010 team.  While there are 8 new starters on the defensive the guys just coming in at LB and on the D-Line already have playing experience in crucial situations from last year's National Championship season.  Allthough Ingram may miss a game or two early and marcel Dareus will miss a game, Alabama shouldn't have any trouble until thhose young corners have to face Ryan Mallet and the Arkansas recievers @ the Hogs playground.  If these talented young DBs arent prepared Ryan Mallet and the Hog's could put more points on Alabama than any team in regulation play since the early 1900's.  If the corners play well and Bama stays focused they will win it all again.

H San Jose State  52-7 W

H Penn State 34-13 W

A Duke 38-13 W

A Arkansas 31-35 L

H Florida 28-17 W

A South Carolina 24-20 W

H Ole Miss 34-20 W

A Tennessee 35-13 W

A LSU 28-20 W

H Mississippi State 27-14 W

H Georgia State 52-0

H Auburn 24-23 W

Eastern Division #6 Vanderbilt Commodores 2-10 (0-8)

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 31: Larry Smith #10 of the Vanderbilt Commodores celebrates against the Boston College Eagles during the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl at LP Field on December 31, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Vanderbilt didn't score more than 16 points in an SEC game last season.  Thats not a good sign as the Commodores backed up a 7-6 season with a 2-10 season.  Vandy will now have to deal with a new coach as well.  It looks like another bad season for Vanderbilt, but hey after the stretch of not so mediocre football from 2005-2008 I guess thats a little easier to deal with.

H Northwestern 12-31 L

H LSU  10-31 L

A Ole Miss 7-28 L

A UCONN 14-27 L

H Eastern Michigan 38-21 W

A Georgia 14-34 L

H South Carolina 12-28 L

A Arkansas 12-55 L 

H Florida 14-38 L

A Kentucky 17-28 L

H Tennessee 20-21 L

H Wake Forest 24-20 W 

East #5 Tennessee Volunteers 4-8 (1-7)

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MIAMI - 2006: Derek Dooley of the Miami Dolphins poses for his 2006 NFL headshot at photo day in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Getty Images)

Tennessee football has been everything but Tennessee 3 of the past 5 seasons.  With Fulmer's 2 losing seasons and the Lane Kiffin controversy.  This year it won't be Tennessee football either.  Take a coach with his 1st major job after 3 years at LA Tech, ( Dooley has one thing going for him; he comes from the Nick Saban coaching tree. ) A brutal schedule, and an inexperienced team.  It will be a tough year for UT.

H UT-Martin 31-13 W

H Oregon 14-31 L

H Florida 10-42 L

H UAB 37-12 W

A LSU 13-27 L

A Georgia 14-31 L

H Alabama 13-35 L

A South Carolina 24-27 L

A Memphis 31-10 W

H Ole Miss 20-21 L

A Vanderbilt 21-20 W

H Kentucky 20-27 L

East #4 Kentucky Wildcats 7-5 (3-5)

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LEXINGTON, KY - NOVEMBER 28: Randall Cobb #18 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs with the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the SEC game at Commonwealth Stadium on November 28, 2009 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

For the first time since Kentucky's rise from mediocrity under Rich Brooks, someone besides Rich will lead the Wildcats.  Joker Phillips was Rich Brook's offensive coordinator, and will now lead the team himself.  Kentucky has been through 4 consecutive winning seasons and there is a good chance that streak will continue.  This team may even be able to pull an upset September 25th in Gainsville the week before the Florida Gators get their rematch with Alabama. Last year Florida struggled against Kentucky after Tim Tebow was injured.  If there is a such thing as a trap game, thats it.

A Louisville  27-24  W

H Western Kentucky 49-7 W

H Akron 31-12 W

A Florida 27-31 L

A Ole Miss 27-21 W

H Auburn 17-28 L

H South Carolina 17-24 L

H Georgia 23-27 L

A Mississippi State 17-27 L

H Charleston Southern 47-9 W

H Vanderbilt 28-17 W

A Tennessee 27-20 W

East #3 Georgia Bulldogs 7-5 (3-5)

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ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Mark Richt of the Georgia Bulldogs against the Kentucky Wildcats at Sanford Stadium on November 21, 2009 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Last year was the worst season Mark Richt has had at Georgia.  They went 8-5.  People are calling for his head on a silver platter.  This is insane, and i have a bad feeling that if I'm right and UGA only wins 7 or 8 games then Mark will be out the door and Georgia will bring in Alabama DC Kirby Smart.  With a new QB and new defensive scheme I can't see georgia having a breakout year.

H UL Lafayette 42-20 W

A South Carolina 17-34 L

H Arkansas 21-41 L

A Mississippi State 20-31 L

A Colorado 42-13 W

H Tennessee 31-14 W

H Vanderbilt 34-14 W

A Kentucky 27-23 W

N Florida 23-31 L

H Idaho State 49-16 W

A Auburn 21-34 L

H Georgia Tech 34-17 W

East #2 Florida Gators 10-2 (6-2)

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GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback John Brantley #12 of the Florida Gators looks to pass against the Florida International University Golden Panthers, November 21, 2009 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmi

You must be think "Huh? What? How? Explain yourself now Christian you crazy (insert derogatory term here)!" Florida will lose twice this season. @ Alabama and they will lose a game to the old ball coach that will cost them the SEC East Title. Its not unheard of.  In 2005 Spurrier defeated Florida 30-22 in Columbia.  In 2006 he was a made FG at the end away from beating them in the swamp. The Gators better watch "The Real USC" closely.  The offense will be successful if they can find a ground game.  Brantley will be a great passer, but the Gators will truly miss Tebow when it comes to what he brought to the rushing attack.

H Miami Ohio 52-10 W

H USF 41-13 W

A  Tennessee 42-10 W

H Kentucky 31-27 W

A Alabama 17-28 L

H LSU 38-17 W

H Mississippi State 31-23 W

N Georgia 31-23 W

A Vanderbilt 38-14 W

H South Carolina 14-17 L

H Appalachian State 51-10 W

A Florida State 27-23 W

East #1 South Carolina Gamecocks 10-2 (6-2)

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COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 4: Head coach Steve Spurrier of the South Carolina Gamecocks watches on against the Kentucky Wildcats during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium October 4, 2007 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

This is it.  South Carolina has teased us at times over the first 5 years of Spurrier's tenure, now it all comes together.  The gamecocks will finally make it to Atlanta.  With Georgia and Tennessee down, and Florida not at that super power level the Gamecock's are 2 upsets away from going to the dome, IF Florida loses to Alabama.  If Florida does lose to Bama the Gamecocks win the 8 games they should win and then all they need to do is upset Florida and upset one of their SEC West opponents.  I like their chances.

H Southern Miss 31-10 W

H Georgia 34-17 W

H Furman 52-7 W

A Auburn 23-28 L

H Alabama 20-24 L

A Kentucky 24-17 W

A Vanderbilt 28-12 W

H Tennessee 27-24 W

H Arkansas 28-24 W

A Florida 17-14 W

H Troy 35-17 W

A Clemson 28-14 W

SEC Championship Game Alabama Vs. South Carolina

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 5: B.J. Scott #1 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates as confetti falls after their 32-13 win against the Florida Gators during the SEC Championship game at Georgia Dome on December 5, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Co

Alabama wins a close one against the Gamecocks for the 2nd time in the season.  Giving Bama a 2nd straight SEC Title and a spot against undefeated Iowa in the BCS Title Game.  The Gamecocks feel good about 10 wins, a division title, and a Capital One Bowl Berth.  

Alabama 31

South Carolina 24

SEC Bowl Projections

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 07: The BCS National Championship trophy which was won by the Alabama Crimson Tide after winning the Citi BCS National Championship game over the Texas Longhorns at the Rose Bowl on January 7, 2010 in Pasadena, California. The Crim

BCS National Championship Game

#1 Iowa (12-0) vs #2 Alabama (12-1)

Sugar Bowl

Auburn (11-1) Vs. TCU (12-0)

Capital One Bowl

South Carolina (10-3) Vs. Ohio State (9-3)

Cotton Bowl

Arkansas (10-2) Vs. Oklahoma (10-2)

Outback Bowl

Florida (10-2) vs. Penn State (9-3)

Gator Bowl

Georgia (7-5) Vs. Michigan State (9-3)

Chick Fil-A Bowl

LSU (7-5) Vs. Miami (10-2)

Music City Bowl

 Mississippi State (7-5) Vs. Boston College (8-4)

Liberty Bowl

Kentucky (7-5) Vs. Houston (10-3)

Birmingham Bowl

Ole Miss (6-6) vs. Louisville (6-6)