High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectation.
- Charles Kettering
The SEC West is LSU’s to lose. Is this an unfair statement? Probably. But the expectations on the 2007 Tigers are incredibly high. Ranked #2 in the nation to start the season, some fans will hold the delusional thought that anything less than a National Championship would be a complete debacle. LSU is going to win at least 10 games this season, but the angst in Tiger Town will be palpable. Every missed block, dropped pass and boneheaded penalty will be scrutinized and critiqued ad nauseam.
The Tigers get Virginia Tech, Auburn, Florida, Arkansas and South Carolina at home this season. Over the last 7 seasons, the Tigers are 43-6 in Tiger Stadium. Miles is 13-1 over the last two years, the only loss coming to Tennessee in overtime. Virginia Tech is a non-conference game, but an early win here will be a big boost for LSU as the offense tries to match last season’s productivity. Fifth year senior Matt Flynn will get his chance to win a title, be it an SEC or National Title, that Russell never did.
My only hope is that LSU fans can enjoy the ride and not be consumed by the finish line and dreams of a second crystal football.
Auburn will again be very good. People forget that the Plainsmen won 11 games last season capped by a Cotton Bowl victory over Nebraska. Led by senior QB Brandon Cox, Auburn has the players to compete with anyone in the country. A tough schedule will keep the Tigers in check though. Games at Florida, at LSU (home team has won 7 straight in this series), at Georgia (road team is 11-3-1 over last 15 years in this series) and at Arkansas present formidable hurdles.
Alabama. Oh boy, I could probably devote plenty of time to the Tide this preseason, but let’s keep things simple for the moment. Nick Saban will win games while he is at Alabama, but this season he will not bring a championship to Tuscaloosa. The Tide have a favorable schedule with home games against Georgia, LSU, Arkansas and Tennessee. The problem for Saban is the Iron Bowl will be played at Auburn where Saban is 0-3. I’ll devote an entire column to Saban’s return to the SEC later this season.
Fayetteville has not been Hog Heaven for Houston Nutt this off-season. He’s dealt with defections, text-message tomfoolery and an unhappy core group of fans. But on September 1, 2007, he will line up Darren McFadden in the backfield and all of the off field distractions will fade into the background, at least for that Saturday. Offensively, Arkansas will be better than last season. But after losing a number of players on the defensive side to the NFL, don’t expect another run to the SEC Championship game.
Ole Miss and Mississippi State are going to struggle again. Both coaches could conceivably be fired after the season. Orgeron is clearly over his head and Croom has not been able to improve the program since he has taken over.
SEC WEST
1. LSU
2. Auburn
3. Alabama
4. Arkansas
5. Mississippi State
6. Ole Miss
- Charles Kettering
The SEC West is LSU’s to lose. Is this an unfair statement? Probably. But the expectations on the 2007 Tigers are incredibly high. Ranked #2 in the nation to start the season, some fans will hold the delusional thought that anything less than a National Championship would be a complete debacle. LSU is going to win at least 10 games this season, but the angst in Tiger Town will be palpable. Every missed block, dropped pass and boneheaded penalty will be scrutinized and critiqued ad nauseam.The Tigers get Virginia Tech, Auburn, Florida, Arkansas and South Carolina at home this season. Over the last 7 seasons, the Tigers are 43-6 in Tiger Stadium. Miles is 13-1 over the last two years, the only loss coming to Tennessee in overtime. Virginia Tech is a non-conference game, but an early win here will be a big boost for LSU as the offense tries to match last season’s productivity. Fifth year senior Matt Flynn will get his chance to win a title, be it an SEC or National Title, that Russell never did.
My only hope is that LSU fans can enjoy the ride and not be consumed by the finish line and dreams of a second crystal football.
Auburn will again be very good. People forget that the Plainsmen won 11 games last season capped by a Cotton Bowl victory over Nebraska. Led by senior QB Brandon Cox, Auburn has the players to compete with anyone in the country. A tough schedule will keep the Tigers in check though. Games at Florida, at LSU (home team has won 7 straight in this series), at Georgia (road team is 11-3-1 over last 15 years in this series) and at Arkansas present formidable hurdles.
Alabama. Oh boy, I could probably devote plenty of time to the Tide this preseason, but let’s keep things simple for the moment. Nick Saban will win games while he is at Alabama, but this season he will not bring a championship to Tuscaloosa. The Tide have a favorable schedule with home games against Georgia, LSU, Arkansas and Tennessee. The problem for Saban is the Iron Bowl will be played at Auburn where Saban is 0-3. I’ll devote an entire column to Saban’s return to the SEC later this season.
Fayetteville has not been Hog Heaven for Houston Nutt this off-season. He’s dealt with defections, text-message tomfoolery and an unhappy core group of fans. But on September 1, 2007, he will line up Darren McFadden in the backfield and all of the off field distractions will fade into the background, at least for that Saturday. Offensively, Arkansas will be better than last season. But after losing a number of players on the defensive side to the NFL, don’t expect another run to the SEC Championship game.
Ole Miss and Mississippi State are going to struggle again. Both coaches could conceivably be fired after the season. Orgeron is clearly over his head and Croom has not been able to improve the program since he has taken over.
SEC WEST
1. LSU
2. Auburn
3. Alabama
4. Arkansas
5. Mississippi State
6. Ole Miss
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