2006 SEC West

Any discussion of the SEC West must begin with the Auburn Tigers. Auburn starts five seniors and four juniors on the offensive line and defensive line combined. Kenny Irons is the best RB in the conference and their schedule is definitely favorable. The Tigers play LSU, Arkansas, Florida and Georgia in Jordan-Hare Stadium. (As a side note, the home team in the AU v. UGA series is only 3-10 since 1992.) Having been to Auburn three times, I can assure you it gets as loud as Tiger Stadium (I know, that statement is heresy in the eyes of most LSU fans) and is rough on opposing teams. Auburn’s games at South Carolina and at Alabama could be difficult, but remember, the Plainsmen beat those two by a combined score of 76-25 last season.

LSU will contend for the West but a difficult road schedule may keep these Tigers from repeating. LSU faces Auburn, Tennessee, Florida and Arkansas on the road. The Tigers are breaking in a number of new guys on the offensive and defensive lines and running back is still a question mark. No one doubts that LSU is one of the most talented teams in the country, but over the past few campaigns, even numbered years haven’t brought SEC West titles. The importance of the LSU v. Auburn game can’t be understated; in four of the last five years, the winner of this game has represented the SEC West in Atlanta.

Arkansas is a bit of a wild card in 2006. The Hogs return 19 starters on offense and defense. Unfortunately for Houston Nutt, Arkansas’ biggest offensive threat, Darren McFadden, broke his toe in a bar fight this summer. The schedule is favorable as the Razorbacks miss Georgia and Florida from the East and get LSU, Tennessee and Alabama at home. Nutt is a good coach and has been rebuilding the last two years. Don’t be surprised if Arkansas somehow sneaks its way to Atlanta.

Alabama won’t win 10 games again this season, but 8-4 is definitely possible. The Tide must replace 7 starters on defense and QB Brodie Croyle on offense. Alabama is experienced across the board, but I wonder if the prior probationary sanctions have created a lack of depth. The schedule is about as brutal as LSU’s; the Crimson Tide play at Arkansas, at Florida, at Tennessee and at LSU. Shula is 0-3 against Auburn and really needs to win the Iron Bowl this season. It’s hard to believe, but Bama hasn’t been to the SEC Championship since 1999.

Ole Miss and MSU will again battle for the SEC West cellar. MSU hasn’t been bowling since 2000 and Ole Miss regressed in Ed Orgeron’s first season. Last season, MSU ranked 113th in scoring offense, Ole Miss 115th. I give MSU a slight nod because the Bulldogs return the entire D-line and four of five starters on the O-line. Plus, as bad as the Bulldogs were, they throttled Ole Miss 35-14 in last season’s Egg Bowl.


Prowler’s Predictions

1. Auburn
2. LSU
3. Arkansas
4. Alabama
5. MSU
6. Ole Miss