SEC Preview

SEC PREVIEW

Now that my team previews are complete, it's time to tie it all together with an overall SEC preview.  Below is a quick recap of the strengths and concerns for each team heading into the season.  You'll notice that LSU is not on the list, and I hope to have a bit of a preview of the Tigers by the middle of this week. 

FLORIDA
Concerns:  New offensive coordinator; experience at WR position
Strengths:  Everything Else

GEORGIA
Concerns: Quarterback; Defensive Coaching; Nonconference schedule
Strengths:  Offensive line, defensive tackles, star wide receiver

TENNESSEE:
Concerns: Quarterback; Maturity of Head Coach
Strengths:  Top safety in nation

SOUTH CAROLINA:
Concerns:  Running back experience; Line play
Strengths:  Linebackers

VANDERBILT
Concerns: Playmakers on offense
Strengths: Secondary; Returning experience on defense

KENTUCKY
Concerns:  Quarterback; Playmakers on offense
Strengths: 3 stars on defense (Lindley, LB Micah Johnson, DE Jeremy Jarmon)

ALABAMA
Concerns:  New Quarterback; Replacements on offensive line
Strengths:  Defense; Running Backs; Star Wide Receiver

OLE MISS
Concerns: Replacements of All-Americans on lines
Strengths:  Defensive Line; Quarterback;

ARKANSAS
Concerns: Defense
Strengths:  Quarterback made for offensive system; Tight-end

AUBURN
Concerns:  Stability at Quarterback; Offensive Line
Strengths:  Running Backs; Secondary

MISSISSIPPI STATE
Concerns:  Line play
Strengths:  Star Running Back; Linebackers

Below are my predictions for how I think the season will play out.  Clicking on the links for the teams takes you to each team's preview; however, I've updated the schedule at the bottom of each to include my predictions on each game. 

SEC East
Florida 12-0 (8-0)
Georgia 8-4 (5-3)
Tennessee 7-5 (3-5)
Kentucky  7-5 (3-5)
South Carolina 5-7 (2-6)
Vanderbilt 4-8 (1-7)

SEC West
Alabama  10-2 (7-1)
LSU  10-2 (6-2)
Ole Miss  10-2 (6-2)
Arkansas  8-4 (4-4)
Auburn  7-5 (3-5)
Mississippi State 3-9 (0-8)

Note:  Florida defeats Alabama in the SEC Championship Game

Below is my version of the 2009 All-SEC Team.  Different from most pre-season All-conference teams, mine is more of a prediction as to who will be on the post-season All-SEC team.  If a player is a new starter but I think they're going to be one of the best in the league at their position, then I put them on my team.  Other all conference team voters seem reluctant to include anyone who doesn't have a ton of experience. 

1ST TEAM

QB - Tim Tebow UF
RB - Charles Scott LSU
RB - Michael Smith ARK
WR - Julio Jones  BAMA
WR - AJ Green  UGA
WR - Brandon Lafell LSU
TE - DJ Williams ARK
OL - Ciron Black LSU
OL - Mike Johnson BAMA
OL - Mike Pouncey UF
OL - Trindon Sturdivant UGA
C - Josh McNeil TEN

DE - Greg Hardy OM
DE - Carlos Dunlap UF
DT - Terrance Cody  BAMA
DT - Geno Atkins  UGA
LB - Rolondo McClain BAMA
LB - Brandon Spikes UF
LB - Rennie Curran UGA
S - Eric Berry TEN
S - Reshad Jones UGA
CB - Trevard Lindley UK
CB - Joe Haden  UF

2ND TEAM

QB - Jevan Snead  OM
RB - Anthony Dixon MSU
RB - Bryce Brown TEN
WR - Dexter McCluster OM
WR - Gerald Jones TEN
WR - Joe Adams ARK
TE - Aaron Hernandez UF
OL - Clint Boling UGA
OL - Mitch Petrus ARK
OL - John Jerry OM
OL - Joseph Barksdale LSU
C - Maurkice Pouncey UF

DE - Antonio Coleman AUB
DE - Rahim Alem LSU
DT - Malcolm Shephard ARK
DT - Jeff Owens UGA
LB - Eric Norwood USC
LB - Rico McCoy TEN
LB - Donta Hightower BAMA
S - Chad Jones LSU
S - Major Wright UF
CB - Janoris Jenkins UF
CB - Patrick Peterson LSU