[FreakNasty]

http://www.getsportsinfo.com/index.asp?p...ege/080107

Nothing says football quite like the SEC East. The defending national champion Florida Gators lose nine starters on defense, but shouldn’t lose any skill on offense with an enhanced role for Tim Tebow and do everything Percy Harvin. Tennessee should contend for the title with a senior quarterback, and Georgia looks to bounce back from a modest 2006 campaign with a more experienced Matthew Stafford under center. The basement of the SEC East should be improved this season as well, as Kentucky bring back a talented offense from an eight win season in 2006 and Vanderbilt returns an amazing 18 starters. Four teams have legitimate opportunities to win the division, and all six have a real chance to play in a bowl game.

[B][SIZE=4]SEC East Preview[/SIZE][/B]

[B]Offensive Rankings
[/B]1. Kentucky (7 returning starters)
2. Tennessee (6 returning starters)
3. Florida (6 returning starters)
4. South Carolina (7 returning starters)
5. Georgia (7 returning starters)
6. Vanderbilt (10 returning starters)
65 percent return

[B]Defense Rankings
[/B]1. Vanderbilt (8 returning starters)
2. Georgia (4 returning starters)
3. South Carolina (10 returning starters)
4. Tennessee (5 returning starters)
5. Florida (2 returning starters)
6. Kentucky (8 returning starters)
56 percent return

[B]1st team All-SEC East Offense
[/B]QB Andre Woodson (Kentucky)
RB LaMarcus Coker (Tennessee)
RB Cory Boyd (South Carolina)
WR Keenan Burton (Kentucky)
WR Andre Caldwell (Florida)
TE Jacob Tamme (Kentucky)
C Josh McNeil (Tennessee)
G Jim Tartt (Florida)
G Jacques McClendon (Tennessee)
T Chris Williams (Vanderbilt)
T Phil Tratwein (Florida)
1st team All-SEC East Defense
DL Derrick Harvey (Florida)
DL Theo Harrocks (Vanderbilt)
DL Myron Pryor (Kentucky)
DL Curtis Gatewood (Vanderbilt)
LB Jonathan Goff (Vanderbilt)
LB Jasper Brinkley (Vanderbilt)
LB Jerod Mayo (Tennessee)
CB Bryan Evans (Georgia)
CB Trevard Lindley (Kentucky)
S Jonathan Hefney (Tennessee)
S Reshard Langford (Vanderbilt)

[B]Breakdown by team
[/B]Tennessee 5
Vanderbilt 5
Kentucky 5
Florida 4
South Carolina 2
Georgia 1
Projected Order of Finish

[B][SIZE=4]Florida
[/SIZE][/B]Last Season: 13-1 (won national championship_
Head Coach: Urban Meyer (3rd season)

[B]Returning Leaders:[/B]
Passing: Tim Tebow (22-33 358 yards, 5 TD, 1 INT)
Rushing: Tim Tebow (89 att, 478 att, 8 TD)
Receiving: Andre Caldwell (57 rec, 577 yards, 6 TD)
Tackles: Tony Joiner (59)
Sacks: Derrick Harvey (11)
Interceptions: Tony Joiner (2)

[B]Schedule/Projected Results
[/B]Sept. 1 Western Kentucky (W)
Sept. 8 Troy (W)
Sept. 15 Tennessee (W)
Sept. 22 at Mississippi (W)
Sept. 29 Auburn (W)
Oct. 6 at LSU (L)
Oct. 20 at Kentucky (W)
Oct. 27 Georgia (W)
Nov. 3 Vanderbilt (W)
Nov. 10 at South Carolina (L)
Nov. 17 Florida Atlantic (W)
Nov. 24 Florida State (W)

[B]Projected Record[/B]:10-2 overall (6-2 SEC)
6 “swing” games
Notes: UF only returns two starters on defense, but so did Ohio State last season… Tim Tebow has to be more than a one trick pony this season, and he should be…. While relatively young, they are very athletic and this is the first year Meyer’s offense will be completely utilized…

[B][SIZE=4]Tennessee
[/SIZE][/B]Last Season: 9-4 (lost to Penn State in Outback Bowl)
Head Coach: Phillip Fulmer (16th season)

[B]Returning Leaders[/B]:
Passing: Erik Ainge (233-348, 2989 yards, 19 TD, 9 INT)
Rushing: LaMarcus Coker (108 att, 717 yards, 5 TD)
Receiving: Chris Brown (31 rec, 239 yards, 1 TD)
Tackles: Jonathan Hefney (96)
Sacks: Jerod Mayo (5)
Interceptions: Jonathan Hefney (5)

[B]Schedule/Projected Results
[/B]Sept. 1 at Cal (W)
Sept. 8 Southern Mississippi (W)
Sept. 15 at Florida (L)
Sept. 22 Arkansas State (W)
Oct. 6 Georgia (W)
Oct. 13 at Mississippi State (W)
Oct. 20 at Alabama (L)
Oct. 27 South Carolina (W)
Nov. 3 ULL (W)
Nov. 10 Arkansas (W)
Nov. 17 Vandy (W)
Nov. 24 Kentucky (W)

Projected Record: 10-2 overall (6-2 SEC)
6 “swing” games
Notes: Personally a huge fan of Lamarcus Coker, averaged over six yards a carry last season… Tennessee has perhaps the best safety in football with Hefney, had nearly 100 tackles last season…. The 10 win prediction is based on Ainge’s health, if he isn’t 100 percent, Crompton will be solid but they will not play as well…

[B][SIZE=4]Georgia
[/SIZE][/B]Last season: 9-4 (beat Virginia Tech in Peach Bowl)
Head Coach: Mark Richt (7th season)

[B]Returning Leaders[/B]:
Passing: Matthew Stafford (135-256 1749 yards, 7 TD, 13 INT)
Rushing: Kregg Lumpkin (162 att, 853 yards, 6 TD)
Receiving: Mohammed Massaquoi (30 rec, 366 yards, 2 TD)
Tackles: Kelin Johnson (60)
Sacks: Kelin Johnson (2.5)
Interceptions: Kelin Johnson (2)

[B]Schedule/Projected Results
[/B]Sept. 1 Oklahoma State (W)
Sept. 8 South Carolina (W)
Sept. 15 Western Carolina (W)
Sept. 22 at Alabama (L)
Sept. 29 Mississippi (W)
Oct. 6 at Tennessee (L)
Oct. 13 at Vandy (W)
Oct. 27 Florida (L)
Nov. 3 Troy (W)
Nov. 10 Auburn (L)
Nov. 17 Kentucky (W)
Nov. 24 at Georgia Tech (W)

[B]Projected Record[/B]: 8-4 overall (4-4 SEC)
6 “swing” games
Notes: A lot of people are calling for Georgia to win the SEC East,, but I don’t it this season… talented, but probably another year away (Stafford will continue to improve… Stafford vs. Tebow can be a fun little rivalry if they stay in school for three years, both very talented… Georgia can win up to 10 games, but I see them winning eight, which should be their basement level…

[B]South Carolina
[/B]Last season: 8-5 (beat Houston in Liberty Bowl)
Head Coach: Steve Spurrier (3rd season)

[B]Returning Leaders:[/B]
Passing: Blake Mitchell (135-202, 1789 yards, 10 TD, 6 INT)
Rushing: Cory Boyd (164 att, 846 yards, 8 TD)
Receiving: Kenny McKinley (51 rec, 880 yards, 5 TD)
Tackles: Jasper Brinkley (107)
Sacks: Casper Brinkley (7)
Interceptions: Stoney Woodson (3)

[B]Schedule/Projected Results
[/B]Sept. 1 ULL (W)
Sept. 8 at Georgia (L)
Sept. 15 South Carolina State (W)
Sept. 22 at LSU (L)
Sept. 29 Mississippi State (W)
Oct. 4 Kentucky (W)
Oct. 13 at North Carolina (W)
Oct. 20 Vanderbilt (W)
Oct. 27 at Tennessee (L)
Nov. 3 at Arkansas (L)
Nov. 10 Florida (W)
Nov. 24 Clemson (W)

Projected Record: 8-4 overall (4-4 SEC)
6 “swing” games
Notes: South Carolina has officially made it a four horse race in the SEC East, however they will annually have the highest “bust” factor because of the expectations that Spurrier brings… Boyd should have a huge year rushing and receiving….

[B][SIZE=4]Kentucky
[/SIZE][/B]Last Season: 8-5 (beat Clemson in Music City Bowl)
Head Coach: Rich Brooks (5th season)

[B]Returning Leaders[/B]:
Passing: Andre Woodson (264-419, 3515 yards, 31 TD, 7 INT)
Rushing: Rafael Little (140 att, 709 yards, 3 TD)
Receiving: Keenan Burton (77 rec, 1036 yards, 12 TD)
Tackles: Wesley Woodyard (117)
Sacks: Jeremy Jarmon (4)
Interceptions: Marcus McClinton (4)

[B]Schedule/Projected Results
[/B]Sept. 1 Eastern Michigan (W)
Sept. 8 Kent. State(W)
Sept. 15 Louisville (L)
Sept. 22 at Arkansas (L)
Sept. 29 Florida Atlantic (W)
Oct. 4 at South Carolina (L)
Oct. 13 LSU (L)
Oct. 20 Florida (L)
Oct. 27 Mississippi State (W)
Nov. 10 Vanderbilt (W)
Nov. 17 at Georgia (L)
Nov. 24 Tennessee (L)

[B]Projected Record[/B]: 5-7 overall (2-6 SEC)
4 “swing” games
Notes: UK had the best season in recent memory in 2006, but were still out gained by a hefty total in conference play… UK would be a stout contender to possibly win the east if the O-Line was better… they could sneak into a bowl, but wont win 8 again this season…

[B][SIZE=4]Vanderbilt
[/SIZE][/B]Last Season: 4-8 (no bowl)
Head Coach: Bobby Johnson (6th season)

[B]Returning Leaders[/B]:
Passing: Chris Nickson (160-292, 2085 yards, 15 TD, 13 INT)
Rushing: Chris Nickson (146 att, 827 yards)
Receiving: Earl Bennett (82 rec, 1146 yards, 6 TD)
Tackles: Jonathan Goff (93)
Sacks: Curtis Gatewood (7)
Interceptions: Langford/Spread (3)

[B]Schedule/Projected Results
[/B]Sept. 1 Richmond (W)
Sept. 8 Alabama (L)
Sept. 15 Mississippi (W)
Sept. 29 E Michigan (W)
Oct. 6 at Auburn (L)
Oct. 13 Georgia (L)
Oct. 20 at South Carolina (L)
Oct. 27 Miami OH (W)
Nov. 3 at Florida (L)
Nov. 10 Kentucky (L)
Nov. 17 at Tennessee (L)
Nov. 24 Wake Forest (W)

[B]Projected Record[/B]: 5-7 overall (1-7 SEC)
4 “swing” games
[B]Notes: [/B]It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if Vandy becomes bowl eligible for the first time since 1982... They have big play threats with Nickson at QB, Bennett at WR and Goff at LB… If they played in the ACC, I’d call for them to have 7 or 8 wins….

[TidesHoss32]

I agree with all of your picks. I believe UK will be the best 5th place conference team in America, and still will be lucky to win 6 games. Or they will be the best team in the country with a losing record. I agree that Vandy's defense will be very tough, but not enough to get out of the cellar. I dont disagree with anything. I think that with Tebow maturing this year, and being the type of quarterback that Meyer loves (and uses), Florida will be a load this year, and possibly the favorites to win the national championship next year. Still, they'll be the favorites to win the East. I just wish that Tennessee would bottom out. Georgia was whipping the snot out of them last year at halftime (up 17 if I remember right) and UT came back to beat them 51-33, and Georgia began a downward spiral after that (losing to Vandy and UK)..but the East will be extremely competitive this year. UK HAS to find a way to beat Carolina though, or you can say bye bye to bowling..but another great read Freak! Keep em coming!!

[FreakNasty]

I agree with all of your picks. I believe UK will be the best 5th place conference team in America, and still will be lucky to win 6 games. Or they will be the best team in the country with a losing record. I agree that Vandy's defense will be very tough, but not enough to get out of the cellar. I dont disagree with anything. I think that with Tebow maturing this year, and being the type of quarterback that Meyer loves (and uses), Florida will be a load this year, and possibly the favorites to win the national championship next year. Still, they'll be the favorites to win the East. I just wish that Tennessee would bottom out. Georgia was whipping the snot out of them last year at halftime (up 17 if I remember right) and UT came back to beat them 51-33, and Georgia began a downward spiral after that (losing to Vandy and UK)..but the East will be extremely competitive this year. UK HAS to find a way to beat Carolina though, or you can say bye bye to bowling..but another great read Freak! Keep em coming!!

Glad your enjoy them.... Tennessee is a very very interesting team.... should be a good team to watch....

The UK-South Carolina game is a must for UK no doubt.... being on Thursday Night on the road will make it a very hard one to get....

[More Cowbell]

I agree with most of your predictions, but I do think UK will get that all-important 6th win, at the expense of South Carolina. I also think you should have listed Tennessee as a 'swing' game for UK, since the Cats should have a pretty good chance to knock off the Vols this year. Remember, UK outplayed Tennessee last year and should've won the game, but their inexperience in big games bit them and they couldn't close the deal. The experience of playing in the bowl game will only help them, plus the game is at Commonwealth. Not predicting a UK win, mind you (I don't think they will), just saying that the game is a possibilty for the Cats. I think they have just as much chance to win that one as to beat Louisville.

[FreakNasty]

I agree with most of your predictions, but I do think UK will get that all-important 6th win, at the expense of South Carolina. I also think you should have listed Tennessee as a 'swing' game for UK, since the Cats should have a pretty good chance to knock off the Vols this year. Remember, UK outplayed Tennessee last year and should've won the game, but their inexperience in big games bit them and they couldn't close the deal. The experience of playing in the bowl game will only help them, plus the game is at Commonwealth. Not predicting a UK win, mind you (I don't think they will), just saying that the game is a possibilty for the Cats. I think they have just as much chance to win that one as to beat Louisville.

The reason I didn't put Tennessee as a swinger was because of the long losing streak against them (I believe they haven't beat them since 84...)

I look at last year's stats against that opponent as well as past history....

Tennessee could be vunerable, but I have the Vols projected highly in the SEC and they could go into that game with a chance to win the SEC East...

[Scotty doesn't know]

Glad your enjoy them.... Tennessee is a very very interesting team.... should be a good team to watch....

The UK-South Carolina game is a must for UK no doubt.... being on Thursday Night on the road will make it a very hard one to get....

Like you said it is a very important game for UK. We always play SC close so I believe this year we will surprise them with a even better team than last year. Can you say upset in Columbia? That should most likely be our marquee win.

[More Cowbell]

The reason I didn't put Tennessee as a swinger was because of the long losing streak against them (I believe they haven't beat them since 84...)

I look at last year's stats against that opponent as well as past history....

Tennessee could be vunerable, but I have the Vols projected highly in the SEC and they could go into that game with a chance to win the SEC East...

The reason why Florida and Tennessee both have such long winning streaks against the Cats is because they have always been the better team, not because of some 'mental hold' they have on Kentucky's players. I don't think past history means anything when it comes to this year's games.

Florida and Tennessee will likely beat UK this year, but it will be because they have better players. However, in the case of Tennessee, I don't believe the gap is as big as it has been most years, leaving the Vols ripe for the upset. Again, I'm not predicting a win for Kentucky, just saying that it is a game that could swing the Cats' way if they bring their "A" game and the Vols don't.

[FreakNasty]

The reason why Florida and Tennessee both have such long winning streaks against the Cats is because they have always been the better team, not because of some 'mental hold' they have on Kentucky's players. I don't think past history means anything when it comes to this year's games.

Florida and Tennessee will likely beat UK this year, but it will be because they have better players. However, in the case of Tennessee, I don't believe the gap is as big as it has been most years, leaving the Vols ripe for the upset. Again, I'm not predicting a win for Kentucky, just saying that it is a game that could swing the Cats' way if they bring their "A" game and the Vols don't.

I'm a huge believer in trends and angles because it usually represents a talent gap....

After hearing clips of Ainge talking at media day, I dont think Tennessee will not be ready for Kentucky, but you never know....

[More Cowbell]

I'm a huge believer in trends and angles because it usually represents a talent gap....

After hearing clips of Ainge talking at media day, I dont think Tennessee will not be ready for Kentucky, but you never know....

That's exactly what I said, that Florida and Tennessee always have had better players than Kentucky. That talent gap is the reason they win these games, not because of some enormous winning streak. If the talent gap shrinks, then it stands to reason that there is more chance of an upset...

I will agree that Tennessee's "A" game would likely beat Kentucky's, but we all know that no team brings their "A" game every week. If the Vols are a little off when they play the Cats, UK will have a chance of winning.

[Scotty doesn't know]

That's exactly what I said, that Florida and Tennessee always have had better players than Kentucky. That talent gap is the reason they win these games, not because of some enormous winning streak. If the talent gap shrinks, then it stands to reason that there is more chance of an upset...

I will agree that Tennessee's "A" game would likely beat Kentucky's, but we all know that no team brings their "A" game every week. If the Vols are a little off when they play the Cats, UK will have a chance of winning.

I believe that this season's team will have a good chance to beat Tennesse. It is at home, the fans will be pumped, Tennesse may have a off day, and UK has the better QB and offensive firepower. If we can not cash in this year I don't know when UK could put a win upagainist Tennesse.

[More Cowbell]

I believe that this season's team will have a good chance to beat Tennesse. It is at home, the fans will be pumped, Tennesse may have a off day, and UK has the better QB and offensive firepower. If we can not cash in this year I don't know when UK could put a win upagainist Tennesse.

It's true that most years UK doesn't have a snowball's chance of beating the Vols. If they want to break the streak, this is as good a chance as they've had in a while.

[Scotty doesn't know]

It's true that most years UK doesn't have a snowball's chance of beating the Vols. If they want to break the streak, this is as good a chance as they've had in a while.

They've had in a while and will have for a while. lol I am anxious to see how this season works out.

[Fenix]

They've had in a while and will have for a while. lol I am anxious to see how this season works out.

I really can't wait for the season. I'm already dreaming about Saturdays at Commonwealth.

[calQlate]

I think the we go bowling this year. Freak, I agree with your predictions. However, I do think Kentucky has enough talent returning that they will win one those games they are not suppose to win.. UK offense could be explosive if the Oline matures and gels.

[rallo316]

this is our year SEC championship comes home to the Commonwealth GO BIG BLUE.

[corndog23]

5-7 for the Cats....hmmmm....

[-STAT-]

Seeing they are already one win away from win #5, lol I think they will get plenty more.

5-7 for the Cats....hmmmm....