SEC Football 2011: How High Should the Bar Be Set Next Season for Each Team?
It's never NOT football season in the SEC. Am I right SEC fans?
Well with Auburn's 22-19 victory of Oregon in the National Championship, that made it five straight for the SEC.
So with the best conference in college football looking to repeat for another National Championship, how will each team fare in 2011?
There's only one way to find out.
Vanderbilt Commodores
1 of 12
2010 RECORD: 2-10 (1-7)
2011 RECRUITING CLASS RANKS: Scout.com: No. 48, Rivals.com Top 50: NA
2011 OUTLOOK: You can't really blame the Commodores for their record since they're in the SEC right? However, only two seasons ago they won the Music City Bowl over Boston College.
Offensively Vandy returns Larry Smith who threw for just over 1,200 yards with six TDs and five picks.
Yes the numbers aren't up there, but nothing comes easy on a team that averaged only 17 points per game.
The diamond in the rough? CB Casey Hayward comes off a year where he picked off six passes (second in the SEC) on defense that allowed 31 points per game.
2011 RECORD: 4-8 Wait Until Next Year (2012)
Next year has the potential to be better, but with a dismal recruiting class coming in, don't expect much more.
Ole Miss Rebels
2 of 12
2010 RECORD: 4-8 (1-7)
2011 RECRUITING CLASS RANKS: Scout.com: No. 24, Rivals.com Top 50: No.19
2011 OUTLOOK: Despite having only one in-conference win, Ole Miss has managed a really good recruiting class considering their disappointing 2010 campaign.
Offensively RB Brandon Bolden returns after a rather decent year. He totaled 976 yard rushing for 14 TDs and caught 32 balls for 344 yards and three TDs.
Defensively Sophomore LB D.T. Shackelford led the team with five sacks. Look for him to play the "Patrick Willis" role as the next great Ole Miss linebacker.
2011 RECORD: 5-7 .500 at best
Ole Miss is a year or two away from a great season. And even with a respectable recruiting class coming in, let's not kid ourselves. This is the SEC.
If Ole Miss were to switch conferences they'd be bowl bound at the very least each season.
Kentucky Wildcats
3 of 12
2010 RECORD: 6-7 (2-6)
2011 RECRUITING CLASS RANKS: Scout.com: No. 32, Rivals.com Top 50: NA
2011 OUTLOOK: The next step for the Wildcats? Win the close games. They got the eventual National Champion Auburn Tigers at home but failed to close the deal losing 37-34.
Three weeks later they fell to then-ranked No. 21 in-state rival Mississippi State 24-17.
Two games may not seem like a lot but that's the difference between 6-7 and 8-5. Which would you want?
Offensively, the Wildcats lose standout WR Randall Cobb who amassed over a 1,000 yards on 84 catches with seven TDs.
Not to mention he ran the rock for 424 yards and five TDs.
Defensively, Kentucky should be elated to have LB Danny Trevathan and safety Winston Guy coming back.
Both combined for 250 tackles, five pass break-ups and eight pass deflects. Yikes!
2011 RECORD: 6-6 Bowl Bound
With Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina bringing in much better recruiting classes it's going to be tough in 2011.
However, a favorable schedule keeps bowl season alive.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Tennessee Volunteers
4 of 12
2010 RECORD: 6-7 (3-5)
2011 RECRUITING CLASS RANKS: Scout.com: No. 12, Rivals.com Top 50: No. 13
2011 OUTLOOK: An 0-5 record versus Top 25 opponents needs to change if the Vols want to regain some national prominence. Not to mention only one of those games was close (16-14 loss at LSU).
However Vols fans, there is also a QB controversy heading into 2011.
Tyler Bray and Matt Simms played well in 2010, as both threw for over 1,400 yards and combined for 26 TD passes.
The Vols also return RB Tauren Poole who totaled over 1,100 yards on the ground including 11 TDs.
On defense, Sophomores Janzen Jackson and Prentiss Waggner return from a solid 2010 campaign.
Both had five picks, and combined for 20 pass deflects as well as 10 pass break-ups.
2011 RECORD: 5-7 .500 at Best
You would think have a Top 15 recruiting class helps. Yea, anywhere except the SEC.
Georgia Bulldogs
5 of 12
2010 RECORD: 6-7 (3-5)
2011 RECRUITING CLASS RANKS: Scout.com: No. 5, Rivals.com Top 50: No. 5
2011 OUTLOOK: Much like the Vols, the Bulldogs need to win against the top competition. In 2010 Georgia went 0-4 versus ranked teams and the 1-4 start didn't help.
Fear not Bulldog fans, because after a successful freshman season QB Aaron Murray has Heisman Trophy potential.
In 2010 he threw for over 3,000 yards with 24 TDs and only eight picks, AS A FRESHMAN.
With the loss of Senior LB Akeen Dent and Junior LB Justin Houston, the Georgia D has some hole to fill. However, look for five-star DE recruit Ray Drew and four-star LB recruit Amarlo Herrera to pick up the slack.
2011 RECORD: 8-4 Bowl Bound
The hardest part of the year for the Bulldogs will be the first two weeks. Versus Boise State and South Carolina.
Florida Gators
6 of 12
2010 RECORD: 8-5 (4-4)
2011 RECRUITING CLASS RANKS: Scout.com: No. 18, Rivals.com Top 50: No. 12
2011 OUTLOOK: After the Tim Tebow era at least one rebuilding season was bound to happen in Gainesville.
In his first year as a starter, QB John Brantley displayed signs of potential but also was rather flaky at times.
However, don't be surprised if Brantley has a breakout year since he has RB Jeffrey Demps with him in the backfield.
As for the defense, The Swamp loses safety Ahmad Black to the NFL Draft. Black who led the team in tackles (108), interceptions (five), and forced fumbles (three) will be extremely difficult to replace.
So to give a boost to the D, first year head coach Will Muschamp brought in four-star defensive recruits Marcus Roberson (Safety), Valdez Showers (CB), Graham Stewart (OLB), and Jabari Gorman (Safety).
2011 RECORD: 10-2 Bowl Bound
Being in the same division as South Carolina (and traveling to South Carolina in 2011) Florida is back on the rise but one step behind.
Not to mention they play Alabama, LSU, Auburn and Georgia in consecutive weeks.
Mississippi State Bulldogs
7 of 12
2010 RECORD: 9-4 (4-4)
2011 RECRUITING CLASS RANKS: Scout.com: No. 44, Rivals.com Top 50: No. 44
2011 OUTLOOK: After the 2010 season, the Senior class of Mississippi State had the luxury of two bowl wins (2007 and 2010).
Now although the recruiting class isn't as up to par as their SEC brethren, the Bulldogs bring back dual threat QB Chris Relf (1,789 pass yards and 713 rush yards with 18 total TDs) and RB Vick Ballard (968 rush yards, 5.2 yards per carry with 19 TDs).
On the defensive side, the secondary will be the strength as Sophomore CBs Johnathan Banks and Corey Broomfield combined for six picks, 13 pass break-ups and 19 pass deflects.
Also, Junior CB Charles Mitchell will be the leader coming off a 93 tackle season (third on the team).
2011 RECORD: 6-6 Bowl Bound
After a 9-4 season you would expect a better recruiting class. Also what hurts them is being in the SEC West with the likes of Alabama, LSU, Auburn and Arkansas.
South Carolina Gamecocks
8 of 12
2010 RECORD: 9-5 (5-4)
2011 RECRUITING CLASS RANKS: Scout.com: No. 11, Rivals.com Top 50: No. 18
2011 OUTLOOK: South Carolina fans, there's no shame in losing to the eventual National Champion twice in a season.
With that being said, the Gamecocks are loaded heading into next season.
Stephen Garcia returns after throwing for over 3,000 yards and 20 TDs. However he was sacked 24 times and picked off 14 times.
The run-game again features Marcus Lattimore who rushed for almost 1,200 yards and scored 17 TDs.
Defensively for the Gamecocks you better look out.
Coach Steve Spurrier brings in the top recruit in the country, DE Jadeveon Clowney.
To compliment him Spurrier also has Sophomore CB Stephon Gilmore who led the team with 79 tackles and three picks.
Also coming back are sack masters Junior DT Melvin Ingram (9.5) and Sophomore DE Devin Harris (7.5).
2011 RECORD: 11-1 SEC Championship/National Championship contender
They return a lot, and recruited well. The toughest stretch of the year will be when the Gamecocks travel to Mississippi State, Tennessee, and Arkansas in consecutive weeks.
Alabama Crimson Tide
9 of 12
2010 RECORD: 10-3 (5-3)
2011 RECRUITING CLASS RANKS: Scout.com: No. 7, Rivals.com Top 50: No. 1
2011 OUTLOOK: Two tough road losses and one tough home loss and 'Bama rolls Sparty in the Capital One Bowl.
So will 2011 be a rebuilding year? Sort of.
Yes it's vague, but as expected a ridiculous recruiting class is brought in even with the losses of Greg McElroy, Mark Ingram, Julio Jones, and Marcel Dareus to the NFL Draft.
A.J. McCarron takes over the QB duties. Wait, who? Hey he did receive action in nine games as a freshman.
And RB Trent Richardson looks to be the feature back after gaining 700 yards on the ground with six TDs.
Defensively Alabama is expected to "Roll Tide." They return CB Mark Barron (led team with 75 tackles) and CB Robert Lester (led SEC with eight picks), and LB Courtney Upshaw (led team with seven sacks).
2011 RECORD: 10-2 Conference Championship Contender
With road games at Florida, Mississippi State, and Auburn chances are against the Tide winning all three of those games, especially with their losses offensively.
Arkansas Razorbacks
10 of 12
2010 RECORD: 10-3 (6-2)
2011 RECRUITING CLASS RANKS: Scout.com: No. 17, Rivals.com Top 50: No. 24
2011 OUTLOOK: The Razorbacks take a big hit in losing 18 Seniors to the NFL Draft and one Junior in QB Ryan Mallet.
As for next year Sophomore QB Tyler Wilson takes over the duties and he does have some experience. Last season he received most of his playing time versus Auburn where he was 25 of 34 for 332 yards and four TDs (ZERO picks).
In the backfield the main Brahma Bull is Knile Davis who ran for over 1,300 yards and 13 TDs.
On the defense, Junior LB Jerry Franklin returns after leading the team with 100 tackles and 6.5 sacks.
Also, Junior safety Tramain Thomas come back after leading the team with four picks in 2010.
2011 RECORD: 9-3 Bowl Bound
With road games at Alabama and LSU, Arkansas will have a tough time within their own division of the SEC.
LSU Tigers
11 of 12
2010 RECORD: 11-2 (6-2)
2011 RECRUITING CLASS RANKS: Scout.com: No. 10, Rivals.com Top 50: No. 6
2011 OUTLOOK: With the losses of CB Patrick Peterson, DT Drake Nevis, LB Kelvin Sheppard, RB Stevan Ridley, and WR Terrence Toliver the Tigers have some big holes to fill.
However, on offense head coach Les Miles sees the return of double threat QB Jordan Jefferson.
Jefferson threw for over 1,400 yards and rushed for 450 yards which combined for 14 TDs.
Defensively LSU brings back LB Ryan Baker who was second on the team in tackles (87), and first in sacks (seven).
Also Sophomore CB Morris Claiborne returns after leading the team with five picks and 11 pass deflects.
2011 RECORD: 9-3 Bowl Bound
The November 11th, 2011 game at Alabama could determine the SEC West representative in the SEC Championship game.
Auburn Tigers
12 of 12
2010 RECORD: 14-0 (9-0)
2011 RECRUITING CLASS RANKS: Scout.com: No. 2, Rivals.com Top 50: No. 7
2011 OUTLOOK: It's going to be extremely tough repeating as SEC Champs after losing 21 Seniors and two Juniors to the NFL Draft.
So with that being said Auburn fans, you have to (at some point) begin life after Cam Newton.
Look for the Tigers to run a versatile two-back system with Michael Dyer and Onterio McCalebb.
In 2010 they combined for 1,900 rush yards and 14 TDs.
On the defense, head coach Gene Chizik has some big holes to fill. He lost LB Josh Bynes (led team in tackles), DT Nick Fairley (led team with 11.5 sacks), CB Demond Washington and safety Zac Etheridge (both led team with three picks).
However, Auburn brings in eight four-star defensive recruits (four DBs, two LBs, and two d-linemen).
2011 RECORD: 7-5 Bowl Bound
In addition to all they've lost, road games at South Carolina, Georgia, LSU, Arkansas, and Clemson, 2011 will be a rebuilding season.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
