2006 SEC East

Most of the media is picking the Gators to win the SEC East for the first time since 2000. It’s not going to happen. I like Georgia to repeat as champs of the East. Right now, Mark Richt is the best coach in the SEC. Not small praise when you consider that Spurrier and Fulmer have won national championships, Tuberville has coached a 13-0 Auburn team and Miles led LSU to the SEC title game in his debut season, and oh yeah, that Urban Meyer guy too.

Georgia has to replace a number of starters, but they are deep and experienced. Ten of the starters on defense are juniors and seniors. Nine of the starters on offense are juniors and seniors as well. Most importantly, three seniors start on the O-line and two on the D-line. The Bulldogs’ special teams are the best in the conference with PK Brandon Coutu and P Gordon Ely-Kelso. The real question will be whether QB Joe Tereshinski can manage the game and keep the offense moving. Georgia lost three games last season by a total of nine points. I think the Dawgs will surprise this season.

Florida will win a bunch of games this season, but I don’t expect an appearance in the SEC Title game. There are way too many questions about the offensive line. Plus I have my doubts about Leak’s ability to fully exploit the spread system. RB is a huge question as well. The schedule is tough as Florida plays Alabama, LSU and at Auburn in a brutal three game stretch. The Gators were 1-3 on the road last season and will be tested in Knoxville early in the season. The defense is nasty and returns three starters on the D-line. Florida will be in every game this season because of the defense, but the inexperience on the offensive line will give Meyer fits.

Tennessee will not lose six games this season, but they won’t compete for the East crown either. Bringing back David Cutcliffe as the offensive coordinator was a great move by Fulmer. The offense will be better as QB Ainge will be “the guy.” Potential problems exist along both lines as only one starter returns on the O-line and one starter returns for the defensive front seven.

Can you believe that a Steve Spurrier team finished ranked 100th in the country in total offense? While the South Carolina will put up more points this season, they will also give up more. The Gamecocks must replace seven starters on defense and five on offense. This year USC will struggle to get bowl eligible, but next season, look out.

There is not much to say about Vanderbilt and Kentucky. The Commodores made a great run last year, but Jay Cutler is gone and there is no way that team gets better without him. Rich Brooks has been a disaster at Kentucky going 9-25 overall and 4-20 in the SEC the past three seasons. (Those four wins were over MSU twice and Vandy twice.) I look for Brooks to get run at the end of the season as the Cats will end up with only three or four wins.


Prowler’s Predictions

1. Georgia
2. Florida
3. Tennessee
4. South Carolina
5. Kentucky
6. Vanderbilt