re: Who will be the next elite team in the SEC?

Not reading this whole damn thread, but for all those saying UT, I don't think so. They have a rich tradition, but the truth is that UT has to recruit well out of the Carolinas in order to have the talent level. There just isn't that many quality recruits in Tennessee. That won't happen as long as USCe and Clempson are good.

Arky had a couple of good years, but it was all a mirage. Even with Petrino, they weren't going to be a real threat to win the SEC this year. Their recruiting has suffered. And like UT, they don't produce a wealth of talent in Arky.

The top three candidates to emerge as threats to the Bama-LSU dominance are easily Florida, aTm and UGA. All have talent rich recruiting bases, top-flight facilities and plenty of money. I have doubts that Richt can ever get UGA there, however. The juries are still out on Muschamp and Sumlin, but both appear to be headed in the right direction.