Started By
Message
A&M predicted to win SEC, UT win East
Posted on 8/10/15 at 10:37 am
Posted on 8/10/15 at 10:37 am
LINK
LINK
Stewart Mandel
quote:
True story: When I submitted an SEC Media Days preseason ballot with Texas A&M listed as champ, the conference office checked to make sure some imposter hadn't sent it in my place.
Apparently I was that extreme an outlier.
First of all, Kevin Sumlin is a great coach whose offense can always be counted on to be highly productive. Last year saw a dip as the Aggies struggled to replace standouts Johnny Manziel, Mike Evans and Jake Matthews. A year later, sophomore Kyle Allen has established himself at quarterback.
Defensively, A&M has been awful the past two years, but Sumlin hired one of the sport's finest coordinators in John Chavis.
And the talent is there. Freakish defensive end Myles Garrett is the most obvious standout, but plenty of others are already emerging from Sumlin's consecutive Top 7 recruiting classes of 2013 and '14.
But perhaps the most important factor is this: In an SEC West race that figures to be insanely competitive, A&M's schedule sets up more favorably than any other contender. With Arkansas a neutral-site game (in Arlington, Texas), A&M plays just three conference road games -- and one of those is Vanderbilt. It has a bye week before hosting Alabama (whereas the Tide will play physical Arkansas a week earlier) and also hosts Auburn.
So A&M is my pick to win the West. And whoever wins the West is going to win in Atlanta.
quote:
A few other thoughts:
--I'm not buying Tennessee as much as some (as you'll see, I have them losing at home to Oklahoma), but I still see the Vols winning a mediocre East. Georgia and Tennessee both play Alabama as a crossover foe, but the Dawgs also have to visit Auburn while Tennessee hosts Arkansas.
--I fear I may have Ole Miss too low, because the Rebels are loaded with top-line NFL talent and should field another elite defense. But right now I have little faith in their options at quarterback.
--LSU is the hardest team to predict. Some people may be surprised to see LSU so low, but first of all, someone has to finish sixth in the West, and while the Tigers are loaded at several positions, quarterback is not one of them.
--I see Kentucky breaking through and reaching a bowl in Mark Stoops' third season. Conversely, I foresee rough years for Steve Spurrier (whose talent level is slipping) and Jim McElwain (who inherits a horrid O-line).
LINK
Stewart Mandel
This post was edited on 8/10/15 at 10:51 am
Posted on 8/10/15 at 10:39 am to Farmer1906
quote:
First of all, Kevin Sumlin is a great coach whose offense can always be counted on to be highly productive
wut
Posted on 8/10/15 at 10:40 am to Farmer1906
And Bobby Jindal will be the next POTUS.
Posted on 8/10/15 at 10:44 am to Farmer1906
THE SHIRTS!!! WE NEED THEM NOW!!!!
Posted on 8/10/15 at 10:45 am to Farmer1906
Posted on 8/10/15 at 10:46 am to piggilicious
I think everyone has been predicted to win the SEC this year but Vanderbilt and Sewanee.
Posted on 8/10/15 at 11:00 am to Farmer1906
quote:
First of all, Kevin Sumlin is a great coach
ruh roe. major fallacy right off the bat.
quote:
Defensively, A&M has been awful the past two years,
and will probably vault all the way to "improved" but not dominating
quote:
SEC West race that figures to be insanely competitive
so what's new. the aggies go to Tuscaloosa and baton rouge. and they really haven't won that much at home either.
this guys proof statements suck. the aggies might get fortunate and win some close games this year, but i'd bet on bama, auburn, lsu and ole miss to win over the ags.
Posted on 8/10/15 at 11:02 am to Farmer1906
is this the thread where we posts articles stating our team will win their division?
Posted on 8/10/15 at 11:04 am to betweenthebara
I approve of the OP.
Posted on 8/10/15 at 11:06 am to LSU GrandDad
quote:
the aggies go to Tuscaloosa
Nope.
Posted on 8/10/15 at 11:12 am to Farmer1906
I've awakened to an alternate universe.
Posted on 8/10/15 at 11:24 am to Farmer1906
I need to try to get into sports writing. I'll just make ridiculous predictions and post them on the internet. Will get tons of people disagreeing with me, and that will lead to site visits.
Posted on 8/10/15 at 11:37 am to Farmer1906
quote:
So A&M is my pick to win the West. And whoever wins the West is going to win in Atlanta
So UGA/Mizzou shouldn't even show up. Print 'dem shirts!
Posted on 8/10/15 at 11:50 am to Farmer1906
Even the conference office thinks he's an idiot
Posted on 8/10/15 at 11:54 am to Ed Osteen
Stewart Mandel was picked last in P.E..........you think I'm gonna talk football with that guy.
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News