| 18 August 2010
When I made my original picks way back in June, of course I was lambasted. ... and, of course, your input is appreciated, but does not sway me in the least. Am I always correct? Nope, but as I have said numerous times in the past, find me someone else who is willing to put it on the line and make the picks no one else is willing to make.
Last season, we heard it all:
"you can not predict this stuff each week" ... our picks percentage for the season was right at 78%
"No one can accurately pick the East or the West in Preseason" ... that is actually a fairly accurate statement ... historically, Phil Steele has been very close (minus a team here and there) ... at the same time, 3 out of 6 years, SECRivals has either nailed one, both, or has only missed the actual placement by one or two teams.
This season, we will once again hear it all ... I have weathered several personal "life" problems (no excuse) and have not been able to perform the level of research that I have in the past. Sure, several of these picks are "gut picks" (which some Alatoona Lake dwellers have taken issue with), but it is what it is ... you don't like it? Fine, keep moving. Don't like what you are reading? Fine, keep moving. Don't agree with any of it? Fine as well, don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.
What am I saying? That is pretty easy to see ... I will put our historical track record up against anyone out there. We are fans just like you ... BUT, we do not partake in the Kool Aide to the extent that many do. If you want, no shit, straight in your face opinion ... and during the season, the best hardcore analysis anywhere, then you have found the right place.
With that diatribe said (for the benefit of the ever loving SBN Bulldog faithful ... you guys know who you are, but we still love you), let's do this.
SEC East Predicted Order of Finish
Back in June, we went out on a limb ... does that mean in August we backtrack? Only in a few cases ... who knew UT would have so many distractions with arrests? Or lose Bryce Brown because he could no longer wonder what wasn't in his wallet? Or the fact that Tennessee would lose so many defensive linemen to injury?
If you could foresee those things (just from that one team), then I want to sell my house and possessions, travel to Vegas with you and out it all on a single roulette pick ... yup, that is correct, no one could have seen that coming.
The SEC East is so torn down this season, we aren't even going to attempt to predict potential losses for this side of the conference.
#1 Florida Gators 10-2
L.A.T. (Life After Tebow) begins in a few short weeks. Even with the Urban Meyer debacle on their minds, this team has more talent than any other SEC East team.
John Brantley would have started for any team in the SEC last season with the exception of Arkansas. Look for the Gators to open up the passing game this season and it will shine. SEC teams can not be lulled into defending the pass because offensively, this team will be able to run the ball.
Will Steve Addazio be as predictable this season as he was last?
Defensively, the Gators lost five players to the NFL draft ... Defensive End is a primary concern for this team. The talent is there, can they be brought along or does this team relegate itself back to the forgettable defense of the 2007 season?
#2 Kentucky Wildcats 9-3 or 8-4
Yes, this is a huge limb we are out on. Go ahead, we have already heard it all, we are not changing this pick. Why you say? Because the rest of the East is simply not that good. This could actually happen, but will it? Hell, I don't know ... but neither do you, just saying.
My employer will likely ask for a secondary drug test when they see this article, but that is ok. I have more confidence in a team like the Wildcats popping up out of the blue than I have in the rest of the SEC East playing beyond their potential.
The offensive line and quarterback will either make or break this team offensively.
While you are still blowing cheet-os all over your living room in the greater Powder Springs area, keep in mind that NO ONE saw Andre Woodson's emergence as an SEC caliber quarterback ... look for UK to surprise several teams from the QB position this season.
Offensive line ... man ... this makes this pick tough. Many fans outside of the Bluegrass State do not realize that this team rushed for 191 yards per game. The Wildcats struggled putting the ball into the endzone as they only averaged 26.1 points per game ... defensively, they surrendered 22.7 points ... not good ... and does not give me all of the confidence in the world on this pick.
#3 South Carolina Gamecocks
OK, we do realize that most of the pundits picked SC much higher in the East ... honestly? Steve Spurrier does not have the tools at his disposal to achieve that ..
Originally, we did have SC coming in 4th in the East ... due to what has happened at Tennessee ... we have slid the Gamecocks up a spot. Could they finish higher? Yes, they very well could ... BUT ...
Offensively, the Gamecocks are hampered by the same thing as the rest of the teams in the East ... a questionable offensive line. If the O-Line can sustain a block, look for SC to run the ball play after play, after play, after play ... this is their best shot in the East and their best shot lies within their running game.
Many of the prognosticators are thinking (believing) that SC should be solid at quarterback ... we do not share the same exuberance. Stephen Garcia can play within Spurrier's system as long as he is willing to stop ... take a deep breath ... and play within the system. Garcia forces too many plays to be successful. It is that simple.
Defensively, expect to see the similar Gamecocks results .... 20-ish points per game given up ... unless the defense can step up and bring this total to at least "17" (or lower) per game ... you will not see SC finish within the top two of the SEC East.
#4 ... Honestly .. WHO goes here?
#4a Georgia Bulldogs 8-4 or 7-5
Offensively, we all know that Washaun Ealey and Caleb King could be solid ... everyone in the nation knows who AJ Green is. Honestly, quarterback Aaron Murray is somewhere between John David Booty and Jonathan Crompton. The offensive line, while experienced, does not have the ability to make it through an entire season without succumbing to injury.
Defensively, the Bulldogs lost too much. While young talent is there (with a new coordinator), this team is at least another season away from being able to be effective.
If this team finishes 7-5, mark my words ... the Mark Richt detractors will come flooding from the woodwork. This IS the SEC and UGA Bulldog fans have got to be sick of winning 9 games each year instead of challenging for Championships.
#4b Tennessee Vols 7-5 (could be worse depending on the defense)
Everyone keeps asking "Why in the heck are you so high on UT? Or are you just high?"
Offensively, this team is much better (and farther along) than many people would expect. Look for UT to pound the ball on the ground and use a short (ball control) passing game to keep defenses honest. This offense will look very much like a circa-1991 Johnny Majors coached team.
This team has a triple selection at running back (Taurean Poole, David Oku, and Toney Williams). Expect to see Oku utilized in the backfield as well as from the edge.
The offensive line will be vastly improved over last season.
All of the questions on this team are on defense. Too many injuries during summer camp could devastate this team. In less than a month's time, the defense went from being ahead of the offense to being less than sub-par. It will take a minor miracle for the unknown variables to step up to save this team.
#6 Vanderbilt Commodores 2-10
EXCELLENT return man/running back ... that pretty much sums it up.
