Breaking Down the SEC WEST

[Po Monkey Lounger]

My Predictions for 2005:

1. 4 way tie: Auburn, Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss
5. Arkansas
6. MSU

I believe this season will be one of great parity in the West, with the winner having 2-3 league losses and having to share the title and win a tiebreaker to get to Atlanta.

Auburn: Other than LSU, probably the most talented overall team. Will have a solid defense. However, after losing 3 No. 1 draft choices on the offense ----- Cadillac, R. Brown, and J. Campbell, the Tigers will stuggle to score, especially on the road in the SEC. This lack of offense will keep the rest of the pack in the hunt.

Alabama: The Tide will probably have the best D in the West, with LSU a close second. However, the offense will be suspect and thin in depth. A healthy Croyle at QB is the key for Alabama finishing at or near the top. Otherwise, if Croyle goes down, its a distant 3rd or 4th place finish in the West for the Tide and a trip to the Weedeater or Music City Bowl, IF the Tide beats USM.

LSU: No team in the West will have as much overall talent (Auburn will be close). Defense will be solid. However, iffy QB play will continue to keep the Tigers from separating themselves from the pack, much like last season. New coach (a step down IMO) will probably play a role in this under-achieving season as well.

Ole Miss: The surprise team of the SEC this season. Last season, the Rebels played very close to the big boys (UT, LSU, Auburn), even with inconsistent QB play and a porous D that had trouble stopping teams on 3rd and long. Coach O, and some very talented defensive players, will produce one of the most improved defenses in the SEC this season. The key to the season will be improved QB play from 3 now experienced QBs and staying healthy on a good, but thin O line. If one of these QBs can take the reins and provide solid play and leadership, the Rebels could finish at or near the top of the SEC West. Otherwise, improved defense or not, the Rebs could slip to middle of the pack and contend only for a lowly bowl. The Rebels schedule this season is favorable to a good season --- as good as 8-3 or as bad as 6-5.

Arkansas: Without Jones and a dominating defense, and no experience at QB, it will be a long year for the Hogs, especially with their schedule ----@ defending national champs USC, @Alabama, @Georgia, @LSU, @Ole Miss, Auburn at home. That is 6 likely losses right there. And MSU in Little Rock will not be a gimme. Like I said, it will be a long year for the Hogs. H. Nutt will be on the hot seat during and after this 2nd straight losing season.

MSU: Still a year or two away from competing. Croom has cleaned house with Jackie's hold over players, and will have to rely upon too many freshman to provide needed depth on the O line and D line. Too many holes to fill to be in the mix. A winning season would be huge. Good QB. Very good RB in Norwood. But, O line is horrible and D line not much better. Decent skill position players at other positions, but not really SEC championship quality. Like I said, still at least a year or two away. But, moving in the right direction.

[webbmaster]

Auburn had 4 first round draft choices. They also have the best WR's in the league, IMO. I think they's start off slow, but enough to get by. They want have a problem scoring after the 3rd or 4th game.

I agree with Alabama assesment. Although, I am more worried about the OL. Bama just can't count on Croyle anymore. If that OL is weak, he will get hurt. That also poses problems for the backup. the only bright spot is Pennington is no longer on the team and we'll hopefully have a legit backup. Bama has a tough schedule this year.

LSU: agree on talent. Not sold on Miles. It's very hard to come in the SEC as a first year coach and get more than 8 wins.

OM: Oregron will show first year coach characterisitics that will result in early season losses. They may win one or two they are not supposed to, but they'll also lose a few too. I see them being who they are: Ole Miss.

Arkansas: Obvous rebuilding year. But Nutt can pull out a few big wins. I dont see them being any better or worse than last year.

M$U: I think the Dawgs will suprise some folks this year. they are lacking depth, but the schedule is favorable. A bowl birth is definitely possible.


1. AU - 15 wins in a row. SEC Champs. Momentum. It's hard to bump them down.
2. Tie LSU/Alabama
4. Arkansas -
5. Mississppi State
6. Ole Miss

I dont see the bottom 3 teams winning more than 6 games each. One team may win 7.

[Greenhead22]

Write this down: MSU will win more games that UM. UM does not have a QB.....Spurlock is still Spurlock, hasn't changed any. He'll be benched before the first game is over. LSU will more than likely win the west with talent, look for bama to come in a #2. Auburn has too much offense to replace while Arkie will get caught in the middle.

[bigwater]

um will suck msu will suck..

weedmaster how do you figure that states schedule is favorable???

[RebelYelp]

i agree with that for the most part....

and gh22, hell, we didn't have a qb last year and still won more games than you, and beat you in a game that wasnt' really even close......

i think bigwater has the right idea on the matter...

[RebelYelp]

Write this down: MSU will win more games that UM. UM does not have a QB.....Spurlock is still Spurlock, hasn't changed any. He'll be benched before the first game is over. LSU will more than likely win the west with talent, look for bama to come in a #2. Auburn has too much offense to replace while Arkie will get caught in the middle.

"Buckles will be a bulldog"

"UM will go 2 and out in the SEC tournament....."

"UM will go 2 and out in their regional......"

what will the crystal ball say next week jeff

[rebelduckaholic]

Here is a good one for gh22's crystal ball. Ole Miss basketball team won't be good.

[Po Monkey Lounger]

Yes, Auburn had 4 total 1st round draft choices, but, as I said, had 3 on the offensive side of the ball ---the 4th was on defense.

I like the Rebels schedule this year. I think we will beat Memphis, Vandy, Wyoming, The Citadel, Kentucky, and MSU. That is 6 wins right there. We also have Alabama, Arkansas, and LSU at home. We have won the last two against the Tide in Oxford. I think we will be better than the Hogs this year and should win that one. And for the last several years, we have played LSU close, regardless of the venue. If the Rebs win one or two of these swing games, then we are 7-4 or 8-3. Not unrealistic if there is improvement at QB position. I think Lane will be our QB.

MSU has to go to Auburn, Florida, and Arkansas (in Little Rock). Big home games with Georgia, LSU, Alabama, and Ole Miss. Non conference games at Tulane and Houston at home. I don't see the favorable schedule. The only gimmes are Murray State and Kentucky.

[rebelduckaholic]

1. LSU
2. Auburn
3. Alabama
4. Ole Miss
5. Mississippi State
6. Arkansas

[Po Monkey Lounger]

"Here is a good one for gh22's crystal ball. Ole Miss basketball team won't be good."

If good = NCAA tourney, then I would say that would be a safe prediction. UM will likely improve to an NIT bubble team this year. With what is left of MSU in its rear view mirror.

[rebelduckaholic]

I think a good season would be a vast improvement and a NIT bid. State fans will say however we had a bad year if we did not go to the NCAA. That is why I said it was asafe bet for the "Crystal Ball"

[nomsduckhunter]

My .02...
1. Auburn
2. LSU / Alabama
4. MSU
5. Ole Miss
6. Arky

I think MSU could surprise a few people. I hope Ole Miss makes a liar out of me.

[Greenhead22]

First off, I never said Buckles would be a Bulldog. Why would I say something like that when I know for a fact that he and Spencer both received $50K from Mister One Call That's All to attend UM?

UM will win 3 games tops, possibly 4 if they get one given to them. If you want I'll go through the archives and pull up my crystal ball so I won't have to resort to retyping the whole damn thing.

[GordonGekko]

LSU, is will probably win the west in a close race (may not have but 8 wins)...however, the west is in a bit of a transition phase...four of the highest profile programs have head coaches with less than three years at their current programs...so they aren't as strong as they will be.

I really don't buy the fact that Auburn has the coaching and leadership to overcome the loss of Campbell, Brown, and Williams. Yes their WR's had a good year last year but how effective will they be when defenses don't have Ronnie and Caddillac to worry about....

[rebelduckaholic]

I think with Ole Miss they have a very favorable schedule.

W Memphis away Not going to lose 3 straight
W Vandy away Vandy is Vandy and it will be a close game
Wyoming Home Surely not losing again
L Tennessee Away They are a complete football team this year
W Citadel Home Come on no explaining
L Alabama Home If Croyle stays healthy in the running for the West
W Kentucky Home Kentucky is terrible
L Auburn Away They were hurt by the NFL but not crippled
W Arkansas Home Losing Matt Jones is like they lost their whole team
L LSU Home It will be close but LSU should prevail
W M State Away I will never predict a loss to them

I have Ole Miss 7-4 hardly the 3-8 or 4-7 other people think