SEC-East Bowls outlook
The SEC-East was 2-1 SU and 2-1 ATS in last year Bowls, outscoring
their 3 opponents by only 12 points, and 23 points margin per win.
The lone loss (7-41) was Florida vs Michigan where the Gators
just called it quit.
For the last 5 years, the SEC Bowls record 35-16 SU and 32-19 ATS
FLORIDA (8-4/6-2)
No team wanted to face the Tide so the Gators had to accept
the invitation to a grilled-gator dinner, courtesy of N. Saban.
Sure enough the Gators were grilled to the tune of 16-54 loss.
As of now there is no way I am going to back the Gators in a
Bowl unless the Gators are getting points vs a Sun Belt team.
Despite one of the best defenses in the nation, the Gators seemed
to have no pride in them taking the field. This is the worst comment
I could give to a Bowl team. Cannot trust this team
Here comes a similar B1G team, Iowa. The Gators would have a good
chance to end the season with a Bowl win here, but will they show up?
I don't think they will lay that big an egg like last year vs Michigan.
Problem is the pattern is very similar with last year, where they were beat
up by Florida ST in a rivalry game, then blown out by the Tide in SEC
champ game, then promptly folded vs Michigan in the Bowl. Yikes.
TENNESSEE (8-4/4-4)
With an East title within reach, the Volunteers lost 2 games vs
2 worst teams in the SEC in S. Carolina and Vandy. There is
definitely something wrong with this coaching staff. The team
returned a ton of starters and key reserves from a good squad
last year, but could not capitalize. The offense is about the same
as last year, while the defense regressed significantly, giving up
29.3 ppg and 460 total yards (-9.3 ppg and nearly 100 ypg worse)
I am not sure DC Bob Shoop, first year with the Volunteers, is the
right guy for the job here.
LY they blew out a good North Western team to the tune of 45-6
and +159 total yards in the Outback Bowl. This year the Volunteers'
offense can score on any team not named Alabama, but the
question is how the defense will perform? With quite a home
field advantage, the Bowl is in Nashville, TN, and according to their
HC's desire to do well in the Bowl, the Vols' should have another
good Bowl win this year
GEORGIA (7-5/4-4)
New coach Smart has a lot of work to do to meet the high
expectation from Dawgs fans. Offense is about the same, and is
mediocre at best. The defense regressed after losing so much
talent from last year squad, giving up 24.1 ppg (7.2 ppg worse)
As with any team with a new coaching staff, Dawgs are inconsistent
on both sides of the ball.
Adding to the inconsistency is another inconsistent team in TCU. For
some reasons, a well-coached team under good coach Gary Patterson,
the Frogs seemed to throw in the towels early and often.
Can't get a pulse here. The team wants to win this Bowl will win it.
The Dawgs may have a better chance here with a 1st year HC, though
we all saw what happened to Oregon vs a depleted TCU team last Bowl
KENTUCKY (7-5/4-4)
A great year for the Cats in Stoops' 4th year at the helm. They are back to
a Bowl since 2010, and it was also the last year they beat their instate rival
Louisville until this season. The offense features two 1000-yards rushers
in Boom Williams and Benjamin Snell, but the passing attack is kind of
hit and miss. The downfall is their defense, ranked in the 80+ in the nation
Unfortunate for the Cats, they will face one of the toughest teams to handle
the Yellow Jackets, with their potent and dangerous triple-option attack.
The Cats undisciplined defense will have a long long day trying to contain
that rushing attack. Lot of points are expected in this game though as the
Cats powerful running game will score in bunches as well.
SOUTH CAROLINA (6-6/3-5)
A surprise for the Cocks to meet the 6 wins required for a Bowl. That goal
was pretty much dead until they unexpectedly beat Tennessee and Mizzu
in 2 consecutive weeks. However the Cocks still have a long long way to go
esp. with head coach Muschamp who had failed miserably at Florida.
A tilt with a powerful offense of South Florida is not what the Cocks fans
really want. Unless they can play a perfect game, the Cocks are not likely
to keep this game close.
Note: keep eyes on USF head coach… he might leave
VANDY (6-6/3-5)
It's even more a miracle than the Cocks for the Commodores to make to
a Bowl. They were 4-6 with 2 games to go vs Ole Miss and Tennessee.
Somehow they managed to knock off both teams to reach the 6-wins.
Besides a decent defense, the Dores' offense is plainly offensive. There
is one positive thing about this team is they tried hard… very hard. They
should be pumped up and motivated for the Bowl.
In the Bowl they will meet a team that is much better than its record, the
NC State Wolfpack. The Wolfpack was a chip-shot FG away from knocking
off Clemson, a CFP participant. At 5-6 they went to and beat their state
rival UNC for the needed 6 wins. With a solid defense and underrated
offense, the Wolfpack will give all the Dores' can handle.