LSU vs. Alabama: Projecting the SEC All-Conference Team

Looking forward to today’s showdown, there are a number of players in the SEC that have played as expected, while others have appeared from far off the radar this season to become all-stars. Now that the season is turning the corner to the final stretch, it is time to look at who will make the All-SEC squad for 2011.

There has been every bit of pageantry and surprise that comes with every season with more sure to come all across the college football landscape. There has also been consistency in all the right places. Early-season predictions for All-SEC selection are difficult at best, but most have panned out as expected.

Offense

Marcus Lattimore was on his way to being a first-team back this season on the All-SEC list but fell to a knee injury during midseason and now is out for the season. Conversely, Trent Richardson has been every bit as good as advertised to start the season.

Michael Dyer has made his case to be the second All-SEC back with his performances for the Auburn Tigers this season. With Lattimore down to injury, Dyer is the likely second-half back on the first team.

Alshon Jeffery started the season strong and reached a season high against Kentucky with six catches, 95 yards and two touchdowns. In the past two games, he has eight catches for 41 yards. He isn’t likely to finish the season on the first team if his slump continues.

Greg Childs was expected to be a difference maker coming back from injury this season for Arkansas; instead, Jarius Wright has become the go-to receiver for the Razorbacks, and the conference leader in receiving yards.

As for the quarterbacks, Tyler Wilson leads the most proficient passing offense in the SEC today. With a 321.1 yards-a-game average, the Wilson-led Razorbacks are throwing for nearly 74 more yards a game than Tennessee, the second-best passing offense in the conference.

There is a lot of football left, but as it stands today, some of the picks in the preseason will end up as flops.

Defense

On the defensive side of the ball the SEC has been insanely good. You could likely hand out the majority of the first-team positions to the Tigers and Tide that play in Tuscaloosa today. That being said, there has been some talented difference makers that have shown up this season across the league.

Tyrann Mathieu is a player that was picked to the initial second-team All-SEC but has clearly made a huge difference for the LSU Tigers this season as well as earning conference level respect.

Melvin Ingram has been a stud on the defensive line for the South Carolina Gamecocks. His ability to make it into the backfield and force turnovers has been a huge boost for the Gamecocks and assisted in a ton of their success this season.

A big surprise on the defensive line across the conference has been Corey Lemonier. I know, it’s an Auburn defensive lineman and their defense has been sketchy at best. Lemonier, however, is fourth in the conference in tackles for loss with 10.5, and second in the conference in sacks with 6.5. Add in being fifth in forced fumbles and you have a playmaker.

Casey Hayward has led a Vanderbilt defense this season to some victories and close calls. The Commodores are a team that can be competitive in any game this year and having a shutdown corner like Hayward is a big reason for their success.

With numerous playmakers scattered throughout the conference, a single team of All-SEC performers is tough to whittle down. Despite that, the top performers will be easy to spot by season's end. Looking ahead, here are the projections for the 2011 All-SEC team.

Offense

QB: Tyler Wilson—Arkansas Razorbacks

RB: Trent Richardson—Alabama Crimson Tide

RB: Michael Dyer—Auburn Tigers

WR: Jarius Wright—Arkansas Razorbacks

WR: Reuben Randle—LSU Tigers

WR: Da’Rick Rodgers—Tennessee Volunteers

TE: Orson Charles—Georgia Bulldogs

OL: Barrett Jones—Alabama Crimson Tide

OL: T-Bob Hebert—LSU Tigers

C: William Vlachos—Alabama Crimson Tide

OL: Alex Hurst—LSU Tigers

OL: Bobbie Massie—Ole Miss Rebels

Defense

DL: Tim Fugger—Vanderbilt Commodores

DL: Melvin Ingram—South Carolina Gamecocks

DL: Sam Montgomery—LSU Tigers

DL: Corey Lemonier—Auburn Tigers

LB: Courtney Upshaw—Alabama Crimson Tide

LB: Cameron Lawrence—Mississippi State Bulldogs

LB: Danny Trevathan—Kentucky Wildcats

DB: Morris Claiborne—LSU Tigers

DB: Casey Hayward—Vanderbilt Commodores

DB: Tyrann Mathieu—LSU Tigers

DB: Jonathan Banks—Mississippi State Bulldogs

Specialists

K: Caleb Sturgis—Florida Gators

P: Brad Wing—LSU Tigers

PR: Joe Adams—Arkansas Razorbacks

KR: Andre Hal—Vanderbilt Commodores