Just personal thoughts and observations guys. I follow the SEC closely and clearly that has been amped up some with Missouri now being part of the league. But, frankly have been a fan of Alabama since I was a kid. As my clients know I have zero issues taking off the fan hat when it comes to sports wagering. These are just some random thoughts and not meant to step on anyones toes. People get a little thin skinned when it comes to their programs. I assure you I have no agenda or axe to grind at any program. I love college football and simply want to share some thoughts.
I will start with the East and then follow up with the West as I do believe in saving the best for last. And the SEC West is loaded to the gills. I will review the clubs in the order I see them finishing in the season standings. During the season I will also continue to do weekly reviews and previews for each team.
TENNESSEE: Well is this the year the Volunteers achieve and meet expectations. Sky seems to be the limit with many fans but I do see them winning the east. Tennessee needs to beat the teams expected and then step it up and win a huge game against a heavyweight. I remember last season I was on Oklahoma against them and worried sick, looked bleak. But the Sooner's got up off the deck and rallied for a big road win. That is the kind of thing this years Vol's need to avoid. What I see first and foremost is a defense that could be special. That defensive line is salty. Everybody talks year in and year out about Bama and their defense, with good reason I might add. But this year Tennessee has the chops to dig in and stuff anyone. Derek Barnett has all the potential to play on sundays. We all know it all starts up front in the trenches and the Vol's have it covered. On the offensive side of the ball they are in steady hands hopefully with Dobb's back for another year under center. He has a veteran line to work behind, something we a Mizzou are envious of. It comes down to Dobbs making the throws. From what I see and heat they should be pretty balanced on offense, easier to do with a line like they have this season. Dobbs has the weapons at his disposal, receivers are deep and the running game is in good hands with Jalen Hurd. The bottom line is I do believe this is the year Tennessee clears a hurdle and win the east. Barring some critical injuries everything seems to be in place. If they don't there will be considerable unrest in Knoxville. And with valid reasons. This team is built for success, all that remains is to get it done. I see a key battle for this Vol's club coming in early october when they travel to Athens to battle Georgia. That could be where the rubber meets the road. They get both the Gators and Tide at home which is a break. The time has arrived for Tennessee to prove they are not all hat and no cattle. I DO think they win the east guys. Do I think they knock off the west rep in the title game. No. I don't. But, a very, very good football team with tremendous upside. They look like a beautiful car all shined up and ready to roll, let's just hope they don't throw a rod.
GEORGIA: I admit, I like and respect Mark Richt. Not so sure letting him go was the right call but time will tell. Expectations are always high in Athens and now Kirby Smart gets his opportunity behind the wheel. We all know the running back situation with the injuries. I hear Chubb will be ready to roll in the opener. Hope so. Lambert is a capable guy and experienced but he needs the ground game badly. Most do. The Bulldogs have some new faces stepping in on the offensive line which is always a concern, oh brother can we relate here at Mizzou, but from all accounts studs abound and no real concerns. Time will tell. Biggest question going into the opener seems to be actually on the defensive side of the ball. Sounds kind of weird when talking about Georgia football. Lot of holes to be filled. Lot of question marks. Strength of that unit seems to be in the secondary once again and S Sanders seems to be the leader of that group. I'm told by one of my contacts he reminds him of former Mizzou stand out William Moore who has been a top flight NFL safety for a number of years. That's high praise. Here is the deal with the Bulldogs in my view. Anytime, regardless of how talented you have a new staff coming in there will be a time of adjustment. The talent IS there, nobody with half a football brain seems to be disputing that. Kirby Smart is a helluva football coach and he is a brilliant defensive mind. How he can transition to the top seat at the table remains to be seen. Some make that progression more smoothly than others. Being a DC is not the same thing as head coach. Frankly not even close. He has a high paying gig with the Tide and likely a job for life, I respect his taking on the challenge at Georgia of trying to shove this program over the hump. He didn't have to do this. The SEC east is just not nearly as strong as the west so he could make some noise his first year. I see them coming up just behind Tennessee but having a solid season. But he will have to be ready to advance on that, Richt can testify to that fact.
FLORIDA: I will be the first to admit the Gators surpassed my expectations last season. Good thing as the league is more fun when the Gators are relevant. Gators fans expect a lot. A friend of mine who used to coach at Mizzou was the DC there for a year and said it was quite the scene. He said the fans were amazing and the swamp was a fantastic home field advantage. I don't frankly though expect Florida to repeat this year. Somebody had to win the east last year and props to the Gators for getting it done but a juggernaut they were not, or will be this season. One thing I did like watching, a lot, last year was the defense. Much like Mizzou they were expected to carry just too much of the load. Get's frustrating for units to carry that load saturday after saturday. McElwain is a helluva motivator and head coach but he must get some offense going. I have some concerns under center and frankly as to who is going to be the featured back. If they have one. Be a big help if they got the Vol's in the swamp but the stubborn fact is they don't. I see a solid season upcoming but expectations in Florida far exceed solid. Bowl appearance but that just does not cut it in Gainesville. Sorry Gators but I see a third place finish in the east. Any sparks coming from the offense and with the D that could change. But I am not betting on it.
MISSOURI: Well if it could go wrong last season for the Tigers it did. They stormed into the SEC and captured a couple of division crowns but last season was a cluster, you know what. No other way to put it. It all came to a head when that idiot, professional protest expert duped the entire football team and they went to Pinkel with their demands. Pinkel handled the thing poorly and we all know the rest. I could elaborate much, much more on this whole deal but choose not to. Let's just leave it at that. Public perception and reality do not always coincide. Barry Odom steps in to take over the program and I can tell you this is not just a promotion for Odom. He loves the program. He played in it and built up a stellar defense as DC. Everybody last year could see how good this Tigers team was on the defensive end. Problem was the offense stunk at an epic level and the defense as as abused as a rented mule. It was sad to see. The offensive line, which figured to be a strength was a mess, a total mess. Many are concerned they are replacing so many parts. I rejoice in it. The QB situations was a mess last year as well. Maty started the year under center but had all kinds of off the field issues to Pinkle turned to young Drew Locke. It was painful to watch. The kid, who has the raw talent to play in the NFL, was thrust into playing behind a deplorable line and spent much of his freshman year scrambling for his life. The whole season was, well, a night mare. Now we have Odom trying to restore pride and order. I see from spring and the practices I have observed to date and much improved offense and another stout defense. In another league this Tigers team would be formidable. Tough to retool and rebuild in this league. Big test right out of the gate with West Virginia on the road. I can tell you the Tigers will be mentally sky high and prepared for that battle. If that is enough remains to be seen. Odds makers have tagged them as a double digit dog and that does not set well with them. Key will be down in the trenches. Given time Locke can do damage. All comes down to the offensive line.
KENTUCKY: The Wildcats were hoping for a bowl bid last year and it looked like it might happen. They suffered some tough losses to Vanderbilt, Auburn and Florida. They frankly had opportunities to win each of those games. So here we go again as the Cat's strain to reach the tape and make that bowl appearance. Once again, that is the tough thing about playing in the SEC. Place this team in most other conferences and they roll into a bowl The death march that is SEC football makes that a tough road to plow. Frankly as I look at the Cat's schedule for this fall I see another year of close but no cigar. I hope I am wrong. Kentucky fans deserve the shot to make that bowl trip. It's all about the hoops in Lexington and that makes it sweet for opposing teams to keep the football team down.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Turbulent season last year for the Game Cocks. Spurrier had his fill and said adios. They got the season off a rolling with a winner over rival North Carolina and things seemed to be on course. Oh how quickly things can and often do change. The defense really seemed to struggle, which kind of surprised me, Jon Hoke is a helluva DC, and the offense did much the same. Now here comes new head coach Will Muschamp and he will no doubt infuse some energy and intensity to this club, much needed apparently. I suspect fans will get used to seeing the fiery Muschamp bordering on going on full tilt more than once. Might be the most entertaining part of the whole deal. As far as schedules go they are not in bad shape at all. Can they take advantage? Well, that is another story altogether. I look at the schedule and I see five wins max. Will Muschamp lead them back to the level Spurrier had gotten them to, I personally am skeptical. Time will tell.
VANDERBILT: I do apologize if I have limited things to say about Vandy football this year. I don't rub salt in wounds as a rule. No, I do not have much in the way of expectations this fall. Much like Mizzou, the defense was a very, very formidable unit last year. Actually fun to watch that unit. Most the nation just did not realize how good that defense really was. Also, much like the Tigers, the offense stunk. Sometimes you just have to speak plainly. When they played Missouri last year it was weird, just weird. Both offenses were made to look totally inept. Kyle Shurmur has tools, he is a capable QB. I hear a lot about improvements but residing and being a born and bred Missouri guy, we go by the slogan we are the show me state. I've got to see it awhile first. By all accounts Webb is a special back that just needs a little help. Might be one of the better backs in the league but I'm not sure Barry Sanders could be am impact player behind that line Once again, I know I sound redundant, but if the offense can just step up it's game to help the defense this team could be salty. We shall see
That concludes my early glance at the East. Yes, I am saving the best for last. The SEC west is the ultimate in big boy college football. I will be back either later today or tomorrow with my preseason thoughts on the west.
>>> SEC West Vegas Preview