Share your projected final SEC standings for 2018 (football)

Regarding the teams you mentioned, if you look up total team talent according to past 5 years of recruiting, LSU is #6 and TexAM is number #15 in all of college football.

https://247sports.com/Season/2017-Football/CollegeTeamTalentComposite

LSU is still in the top group of teams in CFB regarding team talent, and that is most of what wins in CFB. They still have a top-5 DC in Aranda. If LSU can find a serviceable QB and get back to being strong along both lines, they could be really, really good. Their CEO Head Coach being a semi-weird Cajun doens't change the following - LSU has as much team talent as anybody in CFB.

Regarding TexAM, I agree that the 2018 version will not be "built by Jimbo." But that isn't very important if he inherits a pretty competitive squad, talent-wise, which he does. Their biggest stumbling block will be philosophy change and time to install new schemes on both sides, but they will instantly become a much, much tougher team physically and mentally. TexAM is not far away talent-wise, and that staff will get them ready. They should be a much tougher out as the season goes along, assuming one of their QB's pans out.

auburn has also up there in total team talent, but they have serious problems at the worst possible place given their conference affiliation: offensive line. They are returning only only 1 starter and by reports of some of my auburn buddies, the cupboard isn't exactly stocked with studs waiting in the wings. Their Oline could be really, really bad. Add to that the fact that they have 1 RB who fans know will be in the rotation, but it's anybody's guess after that. They have a QB, sure, but after that good news the best thing you can say about their offense is that they should have a serviceable WR corp. Their D may be legit, but their O could be pretty bad. And Legatron finally graduated.

MissSt is just a much better team on both sides of the ball than they get credit for. They have a bonafide QB, talent at the skill positions, and a very good, salty defense. This is not your daddy's MissSt. I'm not saying they are a juggernaut, but they are replacing their coach, not because he sucked, but because he did an amazing job and had them better and more talented each and every year. MissSt is a solid squad, and they should have the most talent assembled in Starkville in a long, long time.

And for those wondering how auburn could have these problems on offense, just think about Gus' system for a second. It's the speed spread, not the power spread. This system is a terrible system to play in if you play the positions of Oline or QB, as you are not only not prepared for the NFL, but you are taught things you must quickly unlearn to have success at the next level.

Did anybody see the article within the last year or so about that LT from auburn who was a first round pick a few years ago, and was completely out of the NFL within 3 years. In the article, the player himself said that he just couldn't unlearn what he was taught at auburn. That kind of shite crucifies your recruiting efforts at the position.

Did you ever wonder why Gus has never had a good QB that was recruited out of HS? No one worth a damn wants to go there and play in that scheme. They only QB talent they can get is a grad transfer or some other type of transfer where the guy in question just wants to be QB1 at a power 5 school.

The truth is, Gus is a washed up offensive coordinator masquerading as a head coach, and if that D - which he has absolutely zero say in - wasn't really good of late, he'd have already been fired.

If you remove the 3 cupcake wins from auburn's schedule each year, their last 4 years' record is:

2017: 7-4
2016: 5-5
2015: 4-6
2014: 5-5

Another interesting tidbit is that as au's head coach, malzhan's record is almost exactly .500 when not playing in jordan-hare.

Until auburn fixes their good ole boy athletic department and also hires a good coach, they will simply be an middling team 4 out of 5 years, and dangerous 1 out of 5.

'cuz that's what red-headed step-mules do.

I feel like Gus puts all of his energy into the Alabama game each year, because he knows that if he beats us then he will keep his job.


my rankings

West:
1-Alabama
2-auburn
3-LSU
4- MissSt
5-TexasAM
6-Arky
7-OleMiss

East:
1-Georgia
2- Florida
3- SoCar
4- Mizzou
5- Kentucky
6-Tenn
7-Vandy

quote:

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2. Auburn (NC contender)

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I'm not buying auburn. Massive Oline issues. Big issues at RB. Brutal schedule with most difficult SEC games on the road.

quote:

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6. Tennessee (least talented roster I can remember there)

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While I agree that Tenn needs to improve its roster through recruiting, the one thing Butch did well was recruit. That was never the problem. 247sports has them as the # 12th most talented roster in CFB.

Prevatt, I just wanted to apologize again to you. I should have made sure who you were talking to before I retaliated. I feel bad about it and I'm sorry.

West
1. Alabama 12-0 (8-0)
2. Auburn 9-3 (6-2)
3. LSU 9-3 (5-3)
4. Miss State 9-3 (5-3)
5. Texas A&M 6-6 (3-5)
6. Ole Miss 5-7 (2-6)
7. Arkansas 5-7 (1-7)

East
1. South Carolina 9-3 (6-2)
2. Georgia 10-2 (6-2)
3. Florida 8-4 (5-3)
4. Tennessee 7-5 (4-4)
5. Kentucky 6-6 (3-5)
6. Mizzou 5-7 (2-6)
7. Vanderbilt 3-9 (0-8)

@ cobrasize

No worries, boss. It's all good. I dish it out too much not to take it like a champ.

We're all on the same team in the end. Roll Tide.