SEC West Predictions?

I continue to look for answers in the SEC west. I know there is a ton of talent, but is there a complete team? Whose schedule is favorable? What coaches can get it done?

I look at OLE MISS and see what should be an explosive offense lead by Jevon Snead, Shay Hodge, and Dexter McCluster. OLE MISS finished last season posting scores in their last four games of 59, 31, 45, & 47 points. The Rebels offense was really hitting stride later in the season. Can they pick back up in the same form for 2009? Looking at their schedule, the Rebels start the season off very easy. They travel to Memphis for the first game and host SE Louisiana for game two, week three the Rebs roll out to face SOUTH CAROLINA. The biggest question mark to me is going to be the Rebel defense. You can’t win in the SEC without a good defense. Can OLE MISS get it together and field a respectable defense to win the west with? Is Houston Nutt the coach that can take the Rebels to their first title game?

The ALABAMA Crimson Tide is the team I think I am leaning toward as of right now. My entire reason for thinking that Bama can win the west is their defense and their coach. The defense for ALABAMA is going to be very good maybe great and Coach Saban is one of the best coaches in college football. He knows how to get his team prepared and they can win the west if their offense is ok. There are two major questions on the offensive side of the ball though. The Tide will be breaking in some new offensive linemen. The main issue with that is they will also be breaking in first year starter Greg McElroy at quarterback. One thing Saban is going to try to do is make sure that McElroy protects the football, which could present a major problem if the line cannot give him the time needed to make the right decisions. I look for a heavy dose of running with Ingram, Upchurch, and Grant (Maybe Richardson) in the first few games to get McElroy settled down. Can Bama win with a new quarterback?

The LSU tigers are a hard team to figure out. They have two good quarterbacks on the depth chart in Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee. Lee has a lot of skills, a great arm; many thought he would be the next great leader of the team. It looks like he has lost the starting job to Jefferson though. Jefferson is fairly unproven but he did play great against GEORGIA TECH in the Chick-fil-a bowl last year. LSU also has Russell Shepard, a true freshman who could see some playing time this year or at least get in some packages. Many believe Shepard to be the next Michael Vick of college football. With all of the options that LSU will have, will any of these guys step up? Can the offense protect the ball this year? What about the defense? The LSU defense was not very good last year…they surrendered 52 to UGA, 51 to UF, and 31 to OLE MISS and ARKANSAS. Can John Chavis come in and tighten up this LSU defense? Will Les Miles gamble his way to the SEC title game this year?

I know I didn’t mention all of the SEC west teams… because I don’t think any other team will come from the west other than one of the three listed above. However, I am looking at ARKANSAS as a team that could spoil the west. Dates to keep in mind on that prediction…The Hogs play Bama on Sept 26, the Rebels on Oct 24, and LSU on Nov 28.

Only 12 days until the UGA season starts!!