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Observations after reading the SEC previews
Posted on 7/11/14 at 4:49 pm
Posted on 7/11/14 at 4:49 pm
Got a chance to finally start looking into what teams have coming back. Here are my thoughts on the SEC.
Arkansas and Tennessee may not show much improvement this year, but they are both recruiting well and should be ready to take big steps forward in 2015.
Ole Miss and Miss. St. are similar on paper in that they each have their QB and most of the defense returning, PLUS the added advantage of weak SEC East opponents. I think 5-3 is very much within reach for both, if not better.
There's no reason to think Auburn won't score a billion points again, but they face the best two East teams and the defense may not be any better than last year. Despite returning many guys, they lost their biggest playmaker on that side of the ball.
Alabama and LSU both lost a ton of talent, but avoiding the best two East teams should help. Both will be relying on many freshmen and sophomores at key positions.
Florida's coaching staff has their back against the wall, and the last time an Eastern team was in that situation (Mizzou '13) they made it to Atlanta. The problem for Florida is lack of talent on offense and having to play Alabama and LSU from the West. But, one interesting story is Andre DeBose coming back from injury for his 6th year. Could he be their Henry Josey? Different position, but could be the offensive spark they need.
I think Kentucky and Vandy will struggle mightily, as neither has a wave of talent or returning players to get excited about. Kentucky did get one recruit over Alabama, but they look to be a year or two away at least.
South Carolina is going to be really good. Their QB won't be much dropoff from Garcia and they return many dudes on both sides of the ball including a 1,000-yard rusher.
Don't sleep on Mizzou. The new QB will be good and they draw two weaker West teams.
A&M has some great running backs returning and some good freshmen coming in at other positions. I think they will be a team you want to catch early.
I'm high on Georgia this year. They might be getting underestimated by some because they lost the QB, but with Gurley and 10 defensive starters back under a new DC they will be a better team than last year. The new QB was good in relief last year and will be fine.
Overall there is a lot of parity in the league this year. Expect many teams in the 4-4, 5-3 range.
Arkansas and Tennessee may not show much improvement this year, but they are both recruiting well and should be ready to take big steps forward in 2015.
Ole Miss and Miss. St. are similar on paper in that they each have their QB and most of the defense returning, PLUS the added advantage of weak SEC East opponents. I think 5-3 is very much within reach for both, if not better.
There's no reason to think Auburn won't score a billion points again, but they face the best two East teams and the defense may not be any better than last year. Despite returning many guys, they lost their biggest playmaker on that side of the ball.
Alabama and LSU both lost a ton of talent, but avoiding the best two East teams should help. Both will be relying on many freshmen and sophomores at key positions.
Florida's coaching staff has their back against the wall, and the last time an Eastern team was in that situation (Mizzou '13) they made it to Atlanta. The problem for Florida is lack of talent on offense and having to play Alabama and LSU from the West. But, one interesting story is Andre DeBose coming back from injury for his 6th year. Could he be their Henry Josey? Different position, but could be the offensive spark they need.
I think Kentucky and Vandy will struggle mightily, as neither has a wave of talent or returning players to get excited about. Kentucky did get one recruit over Alabama, but they look to be a year or two away at least.
South Carolina is going to be really good. Their QB won't be much dropoff from Garcia and they return many dudes on both sides of the ball including a 1,000-yard rusher.
Don't sleep on Mizzou. The new QB will be good and they draw two weaker West teams.
A&M has some great running backs returning and some good freshmen coming in at other positions. I think they will be a team you want to catch early.
I'm high on Georgia this year. They might be getting underestimated by some because they lost the QB, but with Gurley and 10 defensive starters back under a new DC they will be a better team than last year. The new QB was good in relief last year and will be fine.
Overall there is a lot of parity in the league this year. Expect many teams in the 4-4, 5-3 range.
This post was edited on 7/11/14 at 5:19 pm
Posted on 7/11/14 at 4:51 pm to RidiculousHype
quote:
Arkansas and Tennessee won't be as talented as they were last year
Huh? We hardly had any talent last year and most of them were freshmen lol
Posted on 7/11/14 at 4:52 pm to RidiculousHype
quote:
South Carolina is going to be really good. Their QB won't be much dropoff from Garcia
Damn guy was there for too long
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Posted on 7/11/14 at 4:54 pm to RidiculousHype
quote:
I think Kentucky and Vandy will struggle mightily, as neither has a wave of talent or returning players to get excited about. Kentucky did get one recruit over Alabama, but they look to be a year or two away at least.
Stoops has recruited better than any modern coach at UK. Both Bud Dupree and Za'Darius Smith passed on the NFL draft to return for senior seasons. Plenty to be excited about even if they're still some time away from making their maximum impact.
Posted on 7/11/14 at 5:02 pm to RidiculousHype
quote:
Arkansas and Tennessee won't be as talented as they were last year
Tennessee lost only 3-4 good players (all on the o-line) and added 21 4*s.
Posted on 7/11/14 at 5:20 pm to RidiculousHype
quote:
A&M has some great running backs returning and some good freshmen coming in at other positions. I think they will be a team you want to catch early.
That's fair, and I agree. I think we may struggle out the gate, but find our footing later in the season once all our freshman get used to the speed of the college game.
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