2009 College Football Preview: SEC

I will be doing my 2009 College Football Preview conference by conference, starting with the SEC. The format will be: Returning Starters/Top Returning Players/Recruiting Class-Impact Newcomer/Quick Fact/Toughest Non-Conference Game

East:
1. Florida - The defending champion Gators return 8 players on offense and 11 players on defense led by Senior QB Tim Tebow and Senior LB Brandon Spikes. Their impact newcomer will be 5-star freshman WR Andre Debose (part of a very small class that was ranked 21st). Florida's defense was the fastest in the country and this season won't be any different as they return 22/22 players from their 2-deep defense. Their toughest non-conference game will be in the finale vs Florida State.

2. Georgia - The Bulldogs had high hopes last season only to succumb to the pressure of being the top 'Dawg'. UGA brings back 7 on offense and 7 on defense as well as the #4 recruiting class. They will be led by Sophomore WR AJ Jones and Junior LB Rennie Curran. Impact newcomer (from the #4 recruiting class) will be in the form of freshman DB Branden Smith who could look to fill the role of departed CB Asher Allen. The Bulldogs bring back their entire starting offensive line which will be huge for first time starter Joe Cox. Georgia will be tested very early in the season with a trip to Stillwater to square off with the rising spread attack of Oklahoma State.

3. Tennessee - A disappointing 2008 campaign led to the resignation of long-time Vol coach Philip Fullmer. To replace him they bring in former USC and Oakland Raider coach Lane Kiffin. Kiffin's reign has been off to a 'rocky' beginning with numerous violations and mis-accusations. However, Kiffin will have a very experienced team bringing back 9 players on both sides of the ball led by QB Jonathan Crompton and SS Eric Berry, one of the best safety's in the nation. Kiffin was able to get #1 RB Bryce Brown (a part of the #8 ranked recruiting class) to forget about playing in the CFL and got him down to Knoxville. Though Crompton started last season he was very shaky and I expect Kiffin to rely on his experienced defense led by two All-SEC performers (Berry and LB Rico McCoy). After getting shocked in Los Angeles this past season, Tennessee gets a chance to exact their revenge back on Rocky Top vs UCLA.

4. Vanderbilt - The Commodores begin last season as one of the best in school history only to fizzle down the stretch dropping 6 of 7. Almost all of those players are back in Nashville next season (9 offense, 9 defense) and are looking to build on their first bowl game in decades. Jared Hawkins is a punishing running back and Senior LB Patrick Benoist was an All-SEC performer last season. The 'Dores will continue to lean on their tough defense, who returns every player of their front 7, to keep them in games while QB McKenzie Adams continues to make strides behind center. Adams should be well protected though with all 5 offensive lineman returning for Vandy. Just the #72 recruiting class but Freshman WR Brady Brown is a big target (6'5 205) who can be a bailout when things get tough. Vanderbilt will be tested early to see just where they are when they travel to Atlanta to face Paul Johnson's option attack at Georgia Tech.

5. Kentucky - The Wildcats defense is what kept them in most games last season, however with the loss of 6 starters the offense will be counted on to carry UK this season. 9 players return on offense including game breaking QB/WR Randall Cobb. The 5 players returning on defense will be led by All-SEC DB Trevard Lindley. Kentucky had a nice recruiting class at #27 and freshman DE DeQuin Evans could fill a hole on the defensive line. In addition to Cobb, the 'Cats bring back 8 of 10 skill players including starting QB Mike Hartline. Kentucky will open their season with their annual rivalry game vs Louisville in Lexington. It should be nice early test to see how far along they are coming into '09.

6. South Carolina - Though not terrible since his arrival, Steve Spurrier can't exactly be pleased with the effort put forth so far by his team. The 2009 Gamecocks bring back only 13 starters (7 on offense, 6 on defense) led by QB Stephen Garcia and All-SEC LB Eric Norwood. The 'Cocks always have a very fast, skilled defense and though they lost some starters they should be solid again. Spurrier was able to conjure the #13 recruiting class and DB Stephon Gilmore could step in to help bolster a secondary who lost its star to the NFL in Captain Munnerlyn. Though USC plays Clemson every year in the Textile Bowl, they start the season with the very hot NC State Wolfpack and rising star QB Russell Wilson. This should be a very good early season game to gauge where they're at.


West:
1. Alabama - The defending SEC West champs begin the season 11-0 before losing their final to contests (SEC Champ. to Florida and Sugar Bowl to Utah). Nick Saban is probably the best recruiter in the country and one of the best coaches but the Crimson Tide lost a lot on offense and I'm not sure if freshmen can come in and immediately produce. Only 4 starters comeback on offense, including the loss of QB John Parker Wilson. However, the staut defense brings back 9 including 3 All-SEC players led by DT Terrence "Mt." Cody. One of the bright spots offensively will be the return of Freshman Phenom WR Julio Jones. They lose a lot of talent on the offensive line but with the #2 recruiting class brings replacements and freshman OT DJ Fluker (6'8 300) could be just the man to do it. The defense returns 6 of the front 7 and should keep 'Bama in every game. The young players will need to grow up quickly as Alabama opens the season in the Georgia Dome vs ACC power Virginia Tech.

2. Ole Miss - Most people but LSU here or even competing for the top spot but I really like Ole Miss. Houston Nutt's has 9 returning on offense and 8 returning on defense for a team they beat Florida in the Swamp last season. Texas transfer QB Jevan Sneed was able to establish himself as a primetime player last season and should only be better this year. Defensively DE Greg Hardy pulled out of the NFL Draft to return to school and should be one of the best pass-rushers in America. Another top 20 SEC recruiting class saw Ole Miss get #17 led by 5-star WR Pat Patterson who should make an immediate impact. Ole Miss returns All-SEC K Josh Shene as well as All-SEC WR Dexter McCluster who did just about everything for the Rebels. A pretty weak non-conference schedule should leave plenty of effort for their SEC foes but a trip to Memphis could prove to be tricky.

3. LSU - A lot of people are high on LSU's youth and recruiting class but in a conference like the SEC you need experience at the QB position. The Tigers do not have a proven QB as they had to juggle between 2 or 3 last season. Other than that they bring back 9 players on O led by WR Brandon LaFell who decided to return to school. Defensively they lose nearly all of their front 7 including 3/4 of their D-line, which has been a staple. DE Rahim Alen received All-SEC honors last season and will hopefully be able to lead a very young defense. The strength of that D though will be the secondary with all 4 starters coming back. Now back to that recruiting class. #3 in the nation and led by QB/ATH Russell Sheppard who many expect to come in and win the QB job. Not a pure passer but a very athletic player who will make many plays with his legs. Like I said though, a young QB can prove costly in a conference like the SEC. However, they should get a chance to get used to things with a very easy non-conference schedule with their toughest game coming in Seattle, @ Washington.

4. Arkansas - Bobby Petrino is an offensive coach but the Razorbacks return 11 starters on the defensive side of the ball. 8 players return on offense but Michigan transfer Ryan Mallet will be the starting QB coming into camp. All-SEC RB Michael Smith should be a workhorse in the backfield with DT Malcolm Sheppard leading the experienced Hogs' D. Arkansas lost a little upfront but return all their skill players. Yet another top 20 SEC recruiting class, #20 for Arkansas. The Razorbacks will get a test early when they travel to the Cotton Bowl in Dallas for a date with Texas A&M.

5. Auburn - A season of turmoil led to the firing of head coach Tommy Tuberville. They brought in the "inventor" of the spread offense to try to change things up on the Plains but things where disastrous and Auburn suffered one of their worst seasons in a long time. The 2009 Tigers return 14 starters (6 offense, 8 defense) and 4/5 offensive linemen. QB Kodi Burns is an athletic young player who has the ability to make plays defensively. On defense, the normal staple of Auburn teams, especially this season with the return of Gene Chizik (this time as head coach, defensive coordinator in 2004). Antonio Coleman was an All-SEC player last season and should anchor their defense. The #16 recruiting class brings in LB Eltoro Freeman who could see early playing time. Last season Auburn got an early lead before getting embarrassed @ WVU. This season the Mountaineers come down to the Plains where War Eagle looks for revenge.

6. Mississippi State - Starkville will get a makeover offensively with the addition of former Florida offensive coordinator Dan Mullen as head coach. Miss. State returns 7 players on each side of the ball and Mullen will have talented RB Anthony Dixon to lead his offense. On defense one of the top JUCO players in the country in DT Pernell McPhee should make an immediate impact while FR early enrollee WR O'Nean Wilder (4 catches 104 yards in Spring Game) should be a big part of Mullen's new attack. Like Vanderbilt, Mississippi State's toughest non-conference opponent will be Georgia Tech.