I personally am very excited to have Texas A&M and Missouri in the fold. Two solid programs that will not wow you but definitely assist in beefing up the middle class of the league. I think both programs will be an asset and enhance the SEC’s overall strength as time goes by.
Here are my predictions for the upcoming season. Once again I blew it last season picking Alabama over LSU in the West and South Carolina over Georgia in the East. Of the 14 participants in the SEC Title game over the last seven years, I have only correctly picked four. (LSU in ’05 and ’07, UT in ’07 and Florida in ’09)
SEC West
1. LSU
2. Alabama
3. Arkansas
4. Auburn
5. Texas A&M
6. Miss. State
7. Ole Miss
*Here is a break down of the 22 starting quarterbacks that have led their teams to the SEC Title game since 2001.
| Class | # | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Senior | 8 | 6-2 |
| Junior | 8 | 4-4 |
| Sophomore | 6 | 1-5 |
| Freshman | 0 | 0-0 |
* At this point I know I sound like a broken record, but experience on the offensive line and at QB are critical. I know Jefferson stunk out the place late last year, but Jarrett Lee, a senior last season, did a great deal of the heavy lifting behind an experienced offensive line which led the league in rushing yards, attempts and TD’s. (stats from conference games only) The success in the Title Game by upper class QB’s speaks for itself.
* LSU gets Alabama and South Carolina at home while traveling to A&M, Arkansas, Florida and Auburn. The Tigers will probably be favored in every game this season, but a tough road slate could be their undoing. The margin between first and second in the division could be decided buy another overtime field goal.
* Alabama will be very good in 2012, but it may be too much to ask to replace all those starters lost on defense. Much like 2010, Alabama may be better on the offensive side of the ball with four starters returning on the O-Line with a combined 95 career starts while the defensive replacements grow into their roles. The schedule is favorable as the Tide avoids South Carolina, Georgia and Florida from the East.
* Arkansas is again a wildcard. The departure of Petrino and hiring of John L. Smith creates huge questions for the Hogs. In his 18 year coaching career, including six years in I-AA, Smith has only won 10 games or more twice. In his four years at Michigan State he was a paltry 22-26. By October 6, Arkansas will have played Alabama, A&M and Auburn. They are talented enough to win all three games. But they could also be flaky enough to lose all three.
* Auburn’s schedule shapes up nicely as they only have one tough road game at Alabama. But with early games at Clemson and Miss. State and a home date with LSU on September 22, the Tigers could also possibly be looking at a 1-3 start to the season.
* Texas A&M is down here by default. A new coaching staff and entering a new league creates a myriad of challenges for A&M. If they can beat Florida at home in the second week of the season they could start 5-1 or even 6-0 going into an October 20 home game versus LSU. It is more likely they struggle against the better SEC sides and finish with 7 wins.
*Miss. State and Ole Miss are in a similar predicament. No experience up front on the offensive side of the ball. The teams return two starters combined from last year on the offensive line. State has the path to bowl eligibility down to a science, four weak non-conference opponents on the schedule and annual games versus Ole Miss and Kentucky provide a clear path to 6 wins. 2011 was a complete disaster for Ole Miss. Don’t expect much improvement in the win column this season.
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