Kendra Woodruff

Staff Writer

kmwoodr@uab.edu

The SEC has a reputation as the best of the best when it comes to football, some may argue. And in the past three years, no conference has been able to match the SEC’s athleticism. So, a top down of the best conference in the nation begins.

1.       Florida: The best team in the SEC. Hands down. For the four seasons that Urban Meyer has been the ball coach for that school, he has two national championships and a 44-9 record. Meaning not one true losing season. In 2008, the Gators hit a fork in the road messing up what would have been a perfect season with a loss to Ole Miss. But the Gators turned around there season going undefeated at 10-0 and winning the national title. So, what’s in store for the Gators in 2009? First things first, Tim Tebow has returned “the swamp” for his senior season. Tebow took over the signal calling three seasons ago and going into his fourth he has been a finalist and won the Heisman Trophy.  His return to the collegiate football stage makes it seem almost unfair for the rest of the conference and NCAA football. Last season, Tebow finished the season with 2746 passing yards and 64.4% completion rate with 30 passing touchdowns. Now, add on 673 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. So, how can Tebow be stopped. Good question, maybe the rest of collegiate defenses should answer that question which means that they could actually stop him. Aside from Tebow, the Gators have 5 more returning starters to offense. These five are talented, but the great Percy Harvin will be missed. But the Florida offense has the depth chart to help fill that void. But Florida’s defense will be a true testament to greatest. All eleven starters are returning including senior linebacker Brandon Spikes. He started all 13 games last season recording 93 tackles, 8 for lost. He also had four interceptions, 2 which resulted in touchdowns. The Gators defense also has junior defensive end Carlos Dunlap who was the Defensive Player of the Year, and he is projected to start over Justin Trattou. What makes this defensive scary is the depth at every position. If not a starter, an experienced player that has made some impact for the defensive side of the ball. Senior Brandon James will be the go to guy for kick and punt returns. This Gator team is a favorite for a third national title, but they make it seem as though someone should polish the trophy and just hand it to Urban Meyer. The talent of this team is remarkable and poised for excellence.

2.       Ole Miss: Ole Miss will be a true testament to the talent of the Sec because a team said to be an underdog in this conference defeated the 2008 national champions. In 2009, Ole Miss is poised to be the team to beat in the SEC West. The best quarterback to roll through since Eli Manning, Jevan Snead has brought attention back to the Rebels. In his sophomore season, Snead posted 2762 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2008. This numbers put him behind household names Tim Tebow, a Heisman trophy winner, and Matthew Stafford, the 1st overall draft pick of the 2009 NFL draft. With Stafford gone, Snead can be moved to the second place slot. He can only get better and that means great things for Houston Nutt, the head ball coach. Aside from Snead, five more offensive starters returning. That means the “Wild Rebel”, Dexter McCluster returns to add versatility. A key loss for the rebel offense is big man Michael Oher.  Though Nutt has over 2000 pounds to choose from, filling that tackle position will be a big task. As for the Rebel defense, there are 8 returning starters but no real playmakers. The most well known of the bunch is defensive end Greg Hardy who was third in the SEC with sacks at 8.5.  Moreover, going into the 2009 season, Ole Miss’ strength is the offense. They are coming off a big win over Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl and are favored to beat Alabama to gain the SEC West first place. If the mediocre defense can continue to compliment the stellar offense, then Ole Miss will have a great season.

3.       Alabama: For Sabanation, the 2009 season slogan is offense scores points, but defensive wins games. Well, a good defensive campaign in 2009 will be the only way Alabama could have another undefeated regular season. The backbone of the Crimson tide will be the nine returning starters to the defense. Including all-conference selections Terence Cody, Rolando McCain, and Javier Arenas. This trio along with the departed Rashad Johnson had the Tide defense first in the SEC in total defense and second nationally in run defense. But Johnson is gone, and with him went the leadership and anchor of the defensive. But the stars that are returning will add balance and one of those nine returning starters will have to step into that leadership position. But the Tide has an Achilles heel, which is it offense. The Crimson Tide offense has one star. And that shining star is Julio Jones. He had a stand out freshman year. He made 58 receptions for 924 yards and four touchdowns in 2008 and was chosen as the SEC Freshman of the Year. Everyone knows that if the ball is thrown his way, he’ll catch it. But, the problem plaguing the Tide is at the quarterback position. Saban has placed Greg McElroy as the starting quarterback for the 2009 season, but the sophomore only played in four games last season. His career stats include one touchdown on the year (against a struggling Auburn team) and 123 yards.  His lack of experience at quarterback for the Tide puts him into the question of his consistency. But for the Tide, a favorable recruiting class and a relatively easy non-conference schedule with the exception of their first game against Virginia Tech. If they win that game, the Tide could gain the SEC west, if they can get past week 6 and Ole Miss.  It also helps that their two rivals are restructuring their programs with new coaches. If the Tide could cope with the tremendous losses on offensive (Glenn Coffee and John Parker Wilson) and continue with strong defensive stands, then another winning season could be coming toward Saban.

4.       Georgia: The Dawgs have marked their territory year after year in the SEC, and 2008 proved no different.  Well hold on, it did. Projected number one in preseason 2008 hype, the Dawgs will enter 2009 at a projected number fifteen. With key losses including quarterback Matthew Stafford and running back Knowshon Moreno, the Georgia offense has some big shoes to fill. At quarterback, Richt will put senior Joe Cox. He only played in three games last season, and threw for 151 yards and 2 touchdowns. However, since he has been at Georgia, he posted 5 touchdowns and 432 total yards. Not flashy or competent as Matthew Stafford, but his age and relative experience at the position could lead the Georgia offense which favors and precision over bravado and power. Aside from the quarterback position, AJ Green will be returning as the starting wide receiver in 2009. As a true freshman, his 56 receptions lead to 963 yards and 8 touchdowns. The Dawgs offensive line had some problems due to injury last year and did allow 14 sacks on Stafford; however, Trinton Sturvidant returns to left tackle adding stability along with center Ben Jones and right tackle Clint Boling. On the other side of the ball, Georgia struggled last year. They have five returning starters including Reggie Curran leading the linebacking corps.  But a lack of depth and consistency at the other positions, except for the big man Jeff Owens, senior defensive tackle who is projected to boost the defensive front, will again plague to Dawgs. And last year it seemed as though this defense could not stop the run or register sacks (with the worst in the SEC). Many true Dawg fans called for the dismissal of their defensive coordinator, Willie Martinez, but the good Southern gentleman in Richt has him returning in 2009. The Dawgs also have a tough schedule playing non-conference teams like Oklahoma State and Arizona State. So, the Dawgs have to match the caliber that Stafford and Moreno brought to the camp in order finish at a close second behind the Gators in the SEC East.

5.       LSU: The Bayou Bangals lost five of their last six conference contest in 2008. But they manage to salvage their season and head to a bowl game and defeat Georgia Tech. However, what a fall from grace this program had since their 2007 national championship. And the same problem the Tigers had going into 2008, they will have going into 2009. They do not have a competent player to fill the quarterback position. Last season, Jarrett Lee filled in after Perriloux had to split. He finished 2008 completing a little over 50% for 1873 yards and 13 touchdowns. But he had 16 interceptions. And the backup quarterback Jefferson was able to post 413 yards and four touchdowns, but inconsistency plagued him and he finished with less than 50% on completions. The only true star returning to the Bayou is Ciron Black. This 6ft 5in 322 pounds muscle man will be the key to protecting Lee/Jefferson. He is also the only true star coming back to LSU this year. The key loss on the offense will be Demetrius Byrd at wide receiver, whether Miles has the depth to replace him at this position is unlikely.  The Tiger defense wasn’t much in 2008 either ranking 36th in total defense which is the worst in recent LSU history. They have seven returning starters, but none great enough to bring the defense back to the glory days when Glenn Dorsey was around. But the Bayou Bangals have a relatively easy schedule with the exception of the back-to-back games against Florida and Alabama. And if Les Miles doesn’t answer those much needed questions on the offense and the defense, his throne in the bayou will start to get a little hot.

6.       Tennessee:  Philip Fulmer ended his seventeen year tenure at Tennessee with a losing season. A 5-7 losing season. So with Fulmer gone and new head Vol coach Lane Kiffin replacing him. The forecast for in 2009 looks cloudy. Kiffin will introduce his pro-style offensive and defensive scheme which will shake things up, but his best decision was bringing his father, Monte Kiffin, on board as defensive coordinator. The older Kiffin helped out with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for many years and adds much needed wisdom to the defense. On the offense, eight starters will return including Jonathan Crompton under center. He was not a true successor to Erik Ainge, and his inconsistencies in 2008 will still be prominent unless during the offseason he was able to train and work harder. But with the shift in coaching, the entire offensive line will be restricting. The offense also lost senior wide receivers like Josh Briscoe and Lucas Taylor. And with them left Arian Foster. With the departure of this trio the Vol offensive dynasty established by them and their predecessors (Bret Smith, Robert Meacham, and Jayson Swain) will be lost. But remnants will remain with Gerald Jones, junior wide receiver, who had a breakout season in 2008 with 714 all-purpose and five touchdowns. Hopefully, like Crompton, the offseason gave him some time to truly develop. As for the defensive, the Vols can breathe a sigh of relief. Strong safety, Eric Berry, will return for his junior season. Berry was the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year (SEC), an All-America, and the only player in the country to have an interception in seven different games in 2008. Joining Berry will be senior Rico McCoy; he will anchor the linebackers and add the leadership needed on the defense. Though the Vols schedule isn’t easy, non conference foes like Western Kentucky and Memphis will be surefire wins, but heading into Tuscaloosa, Gainesville, and Oxford may turn Kiffin’s first season a little ugly.

7.       Vanderbilt: The Commodores started off 2008 on fire. Winning their first five games made it seem as though the commodores were poised to have a winning season. However, after a win against Auburn, Vandy lost momentum losing six of their last seven regular season games. They had a chance to head to a bowl game and won, but 2009 will be a make-or-break point in head coach Bobby Johnson’s tenure. With nine returning starters to offense, the key returner is senior running back Jared Hawkins. In 2008, he led the team in rushing with 593 yards and four touchdowns and will have to carry the load of this 118th ranked offense. To help Hawkins is sophomore Brandon Barden. He led the team with four touchdown passes and 209 yards and will be essential as the Commodores rebuild their passing attack. But if Vandy expects a winning season, their defense will have to be as good as or better than it was last year. Ranked 30th in total defense, the leader of the defense will be senior Broderick Stewart. Before injury made him sit out much of 2008, he was able to post five sacks, 9.5 tackles for lost, and three forced fumbles. Alongside him will be sophomore linebacker Chris Marve. Marve led the SEC with four forced fumbles and 105 tackles. The only question mark in this defense will be at the cornerback position since DJ Moore headed to the NFL. But hopefully the returning standout at the same position, Myron Lewis, will fill those big shoes. As for the Commodore schedule, playing in the Swamp, Knoxville, and the Bayou might prove tough. But their nonconference schedule will be manageable and they could post at least six wins.

8.       South Carolina: Spurrier has been in some negative spotlight since he didn’t vote Tebow as the unanimous first team SEC quarterback, but he’ll just wash his hands of it going into 2009. Spurrier has one experienced quarterback left, redshirt sophomore Stephen Garcia. This troubled youth was able to post 832 yards and six touchdowns, but had no beneficial impact of the offense. Garcia completed over 50% of his passing, but his eight interceptions didn’t help. And the offense, coached by Spurrier himself, will have even more trouble with only four returning starters—three of which are on the line. But the breakout performance of running back Brian Maddox might help lighten the gray cloud hovering over the Gamecocks running game. In his 36 carries, Maddox accumulated 135 yards and a touchdown. But for South Carolina, defense will be the silver lining. With the backfield ranked number two in the nation, two starters return—junior free safety Chris Culliver and senior strong safety Darian Stewart.  Anchoring the defensive line is senior Nathan Pepper; he has the most experience of all the returnees. He had 23 tackles, five for lost. Leading the linebackers will be senior Eric Norwood; he was able to post the SEC’s second best at sacks with nine. He along with the other defensive returners will have to deliver every week in order for South Carolina not to deteriorate to the one of the worst teams in the SEC. As for scheduling, Spurrier has comprised a mediocre schedule. But the nonconference schedule will ensure that the rumored last season for the 64-year-old Spurrier to have a few wins.

9.       Auburn: Auburn made a big mistake. They fired Tommy Tuberville. The same coach that had an undefeated season in 2004, three winning seasons after that, one loss to Saban, and one losing season in his ten year tenure got the boot. For who, Gene Chizik whose record at Iowa State was 5-19. He was defensive coordinator on that 2004 Auburn team, so maybe just maybe he could offer some guidance to the 29th ranked defense in the nation. And the only shining light for the Tigers is the defense. Leading the defense will be senior defensive end Antonio Coleman, who passed over the NFL draft in order to play a senior year. His career 29 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks will highlight the defense. Also, junior linebacker Craig Stevens had a break-out season in 2008. He had 54 tackles last season. As for offense, War Eagle faced shouldn’t waste their time crossing their fingers. Kodi Burns returns as the quarterback. He had only two touchdowns in 2008, but managed to throw seven interceptions. So those 1000+ yards he accumulated means nothing when he lacks inconsistency. But Chizik has changed his mind; midways through fall camp, Chris Todd replaced Kodi Burns at the starting quarterback. Whether or not the change will impact the Tigers offense will be interesting to watch unfold. Leaning away from the spread offense this season, the leader for the Tiger offense will be senior running back Ben Tate. He posted only 662 rushing yards last year and three touchdowns. Once again, he will be overshadowed by the fact that the offense in ranked 104th in the nation. So new coach, struggling offense, and mediocre defense means one thing for Auburn University—pure unadulterated regret.

10.   Arkansas: Offensively, Bobby Petrino yielded the 49th (2nd in SEC) total offense. Impressive considering sixteen true freshmen played last season. Ryan Mallet will take over the quarterback position, he comes out of Michigan and will help stabilize and continue the passing efficiency of Razorback offense. To help Mallet will be sophomore wide receiver, Joe Adams. He had 31 receptions and a touchdown as a true freshman and will bring big numbers if he practiced and improved in the offense. But the running game saw the much anticipated demise after “wonder boy” Darren McFadden jetted in the 2008 NFL draft. And for 2009, no players on the depth chart are poised to fill his position. Defensively, the poor Razorbacks were worst in the conference. They allowed on average 31.2 points per game. But now sophomore All-America Jerry Franklin will again benefit the defense if he improves his 87 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions. Franklin adds the bravado, senior defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard brings the experience. Last season Sheppard had six sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss, and will have to anchor the line. Scheduling wise, the Razorbacks will get no help. In six of the  first seven games, the Razorbacks will face five conference teams and Big-12 powerhouse Texas A&M. Not to mention within that time span, they head to Sabanation, Rebel country, and the Swamp. Unless the Backs can win three of those games, there will be no post season play for Petrino.

11.   Kentucky: The Kentucky Wildcats started 2008, 4-0. Then, finished 2-8, but headed to a bowl game. They lost against a C-USA team (East Carolina) in the Liberty Bowl. But the 2009 season might not be much to anticipate. They have only four starters returning to the 106th ranked offense, and will be led by junior quarterback Mark Hartline. He had 1666 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2008, but threw 8 interceptions. Hartline’s favorite target should be sophomore wide receiver Randall Cobb. Cobb spent much of 2008 under center, but made the move to the receiving end during the off season. In 2008, he had 21 receptions for 197 yards and two touchdowns. To help Cobb and Hartline is running back Alfonso Smith and Derrick Locke. As for defense, Kentucky doesn’t have a plethora of talent. The most influential player will be senior cornerback Trevard Lindley who led the SEC with 15 passes defended. To hold down the defensive line will be senior defensive tackle Corey Peters. He has to step up with Myron Pryor and Jeremy Jarmon gone. In 2009, Kentucky will feel the pain especially having to play 2008 SEC/national champions Florida and SEC runner-up Alabama in back-to-back games early in the season. Well, at least both are in Lexington, right? As for the rest of the Wildcats’ 2009 schedule, a bowl game would not be a far-fetched goal.

12.   Mississippi State:  Sylvester Croom has left Starkville, for good. Feeling the heat after his fourth losing season in his five year stint, Croom resigned less than 24 hours after losing 45-0 to in-state rival Ole Miss. Unexpected considering in 2007, Mississippi State won eight games. So, now the head coaching spot goes to Dan Mullen. Mullen comes in with the Gator spell having coached the offense that won the 2006 and 2008 national championships. The Bulldogs started the 2008 season with a loss and continue with their four wins spread four and wide. Offensively, returning senior Tyson Lee will be under center. He threw for more than 1500 yards and seven passing touchdowns, but with his offensive line unable to do much protecting—he was sacked 25 times. As for implementing the favorite spread offense, Lee has two important targets senior Brandon McRae and sophomore Delmon Robinson. Though McRae had injury and not nearly as influential year as in 2007, preseason discussions have him healthy going into 2009. Also, senior running back Anthony Dixon will try to overshadow the disaster of 2008 with his 1000-yard rushing effort of 2007.  Defensively, Mississippi State does not have much depth. The leader of the pack will be Jamar Chaney, but he hasn’t seen any action since 2007. A juco transfer, Darnell McPhee should help stabilize the defensive line. On top of all the uncertainty, Mississippi State has managed to compile a tough schedule. They play his former team late in the season, which could be very embarrassing. But aside from Florida, the Bulldogs will face six 2008 BCS teams. With the fog of despair looming over Starkville, maybe Mullen can sprinkle some Gator championship dust over this Bulldog program.