SEC West

Here are my predictions for the upcoming season.  Take them with a grain of salt.  Of the 12 participants in the SEC Title game over the last six years, I have only correctly picked four. (LSU in ’05 and ’07, UT in ’07 and Florida in ’09)

SEC West

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

*Here is a break down of the 20 starting quarterbacks that have led their teams to the SEC Title game since 2001.

Class	#	Record
Senior	7	5-2
Junior	8	4-4
Sophomore	5	1-4
Freshman	0	0-0

* Obviously having an upperclassman at the helm greatly increases a team's chances to win the division.  Once you actually get to Atlanta, having an upperclassman at QB is critical to victory.  The only sophomore to win in the last ten years was Georgia's David Greene in 2002.  Greene was a special player finishing his career with 42 victories, second most in NCAA history behind Colt McCoy.  By the time he started the 2002 SEC Title Game, he had 24 starts under his belt.

* Alabama has one sophomore, A.J. McCarron who has thrown 48 passes in his career, and three freshman on the roster at the quarterback position.  Sure the defense will be lights out, but is Alabama good enough to buck history and win with an untested quarterback?

* I have LSU second for two reasons.  Number one, LSU's schedule is rough and the Alabama game is on the road.  Two, while I am happy for Jarrett Lee that he is going to finally get his shot after a tough freshman season, it is unclear whether he can lead LSU to a title.  There was no way Jefferson was good enough to bring LSU a title.  But could this be a dream season for Lee?  I hope so.

* Auburn’s offensive linemen have a combined 15 starts between them, that ranks 118^th in the nation.  Auburn is going to really struggle this season.  The talking heads never appreciate the importance of an experienced offensive line.

* The Knile Davis injury really hurts Arkansas.  His loss could possibly the difference between winning the division and finishing third.