Breaking Down the SEC East

[Po Monkey Lounger]

My predictions: (I am really going out on a limb here )

1. Florida
2. UT and GA tied
4. USC
5. Vandy
6. Kentucky

Florida: The Gators have the best QB in the SEC, hands down, and the best overall offensive talent in the East. Defense is a little more iffy, but it will be interesting to see if there is any improvement under a new coach ---the Gators still have C. Strong at D Coordinator so the scheme should remain the same.

Vols: While I would not totally count the Vols out, they seem to have lost some of their swagger. And all the off season troubles will likely have some effect. Another season like last year is probably in store. Not bad, but not great.

UGA: QB situation is too iffy to plug GA into the top spot. I'm not sold on DJ Shockley. Also, to rise to the top, GA will have to beat their nemesis Florida, and travel to Knoxville to play the Vols. Those are two likely losses that will send them to the middle of the pack.

USC: Visor boy will have the Cocks fired up and improved. But, I would not expect a miracle in one off season.

Vandy: Cutler puts them a rung over Kentucky.

Kentucky: Bad ----very bad. When does basketball season start?

[rebelduckaholic]

I think the Vols edge Florida, Georgia goes back to their home in third, Spurrier is better than Vandy in fourth, with Kentucky firing their coach before the season is out.

[bigwater]

yyyaaaaawwwnnnn!!!! sec east

[nomsduckhunter]

Again my .02. and that's about all it's worth

1. Tn Vols
2. Ga. Dawgs
3. Fla Gators
4. USC / Vandy
6. Kentucky

I think the Dawgs could be the best team this year. But they do play us at Neyland.

Florida will find out just how good Chris Leak is this year. He could surprise a bunch of folks. New head coach will hurt them early.

I think overall the east will be weaker than the west this year.

We'll see!

[GordonGekko]

Well, UF has no problem at QB...but I don't think their line (offensive or defensive) is strong enough to win the division...add to that a whole new system...I'm not sure they'll beat USC and the ol' ballcoach....and only having 77 scholarship players doesn't make it easy....

As for UT, they will return one of the most complete teams in the SEC...Ainge is a leader, and see's the field really well...and well, there aren't any glaring faults on this team.... Except for the legal problems...

UGA is going to be in an easy position compared to last year...expectations aren't as high, and they've managed to stay fairly focused on the "rebuilding" efforts...however, they have 3 running backs that could start for most teams in the SEC...Ware, Lumpkin, Brown...maybe just maybe DJ will make like Tee Martin and the Vols a few years back...well, I can dream anyway

USC may well challenge UF for 3rd...but Spurrier doesn't have the talent he needs to be a real contender....

[Po Monkey Lounger]

Gordon, if Shockley turns out to be really good, then obviously my analysis would change. But, as you know, in a division dominated by 3 good teams FL, UGA and UT --- the margin of error to win the title can be very slim. Great QB play is a must.

With respect to UT, I agree that, on paper, they do not seem to have any weaknesses ---other than a little less depth due to some players being dismissed, suspended, etc. My less than enthusiastic evaluation is just a feeling that I have from watching and following this program over the years, and from seeing that they were not much better than the Rebs last year when we played them in Oxford. One play goes the other way in that game, and the Rebs win. As bad as we were last year at times, and as poorly coached, one would have thought that UT would have wiped the field with us with all their talent. Who knows, Phil may feel the heat and come out swinging this season. I think we will know pretty early when the Vols meet FL.

FL could be scary good on offense this season with a new offensive minded coach who knows how to best utilize a talented QB. FL made a huge upgrade with their new coach.

[Po Monkey Lounger]

After 2 to 3 games into the season, it is time to review some of the pre-season predictions.

I clearly underestimated Vandy. Cutler has become a great QB and will help Vandy beat a lot of other teams before this season is over. Vandy should be penciled in at the 3rd or 4th spot in the East in an adjustment, with the Cocks dropping to 5th.

Otherwise, my assessment is looking fairly accurate. UGA looks like they may overtake UT this season. IT could come down to UGA and Florida, with Vandy as the dark horse.

[GordonGekko]

If we keep gettin' better it may come down to UF v. UGA...we've still got a lot of work to do...

Only thing I see you missed PoMonkey, is that thus far UF doesn't look like they've upgraded offensively over Zook's team...I know it's early but I'm not that impressed with Meyer's offense yet (this is not to say it's not better than ours...then again 2.3 yards per carry, hard to see them getting it done all year averaging that....)...they played a close one against UT with the advantage of a home crowd...there is a lot of parity among these three programs.... Anybody's race....

[mudsucker]

Vandy all the way to #1 in SEC east?