🏈 Interesting SEC preview I came across a few minutes ago...

[TerryP]

This year there appears to be four tiers to the SEC. Unlike the past two seasons, there is a lack of certainty at the top of the SEC. Like 2008 and 2009, the teams most likely to win their respective divisions are Alabama and Florida. There are, however, three legitimate dark horses in the conferences as well as two teams who can beat any team if the pieces fall right. As always, the depth the SEC offers is unrivaled.

This preview will not focus on all teams equally. The excellent and interesting teams will have an in-depth analysis. The lower-tier lack talent, coaching (especially Vandy after Bobby Johnson left suddenly), hope, and space in this article.​

I. The Champs​

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ALABAMA: Question marks on defense (with a great scheme). Lots of potential on offense (with a head coach who wants to limit offense). Alabama is the enigma of national title contenders.​

Offense: Heisman winner returning? Check. His more talented backup returning? Check. The player hyped for their Heisman campaign in the preseason of 2009? Back. Quarterback who has never lost a game he started? Back. Head Coach who hates offense? Strangling offensive potential as if his name was Jack.

If Greg McElroy can take a step forward, Alabama has the talent on offense to put up some major points. They will never be as explosive on offense as a Florida (due to scheme and mentality), but Alabama can efficiently slit the throat of any opponent they face (like Texas and the aforementioned Florida last year).​

Defense: While Alabama did lose essentially everyone, Nick Saban and Kirby Smart are still running the defense. Saban has stocked the Alabama roster with blue chip talent since arriving in Tuscaloosa. The 2009 defense (#2 in total defense, #2 in scoring defense, #2 in intercepted passes, #2 in pass efficiency defense) will not return, but that kind of defense won’t return to college football for a few years.​

The defensive line returns a budding star in Marcell Dareus, who is under investigation by the NCAA for allegedly attending a party thrown by an agent. The <script src="http://thesportsjury.com/plugins/editors/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/themes/advanced/langs/en.js" type="text/javascript"></script> two NTs who are fighting to replace Mount Cody are 60-70 pounds lighter than their former defensive anchor.​

The linebackers return a sometime starter in Dont’a Hightower, who missed most of 2009 with a blown out knee. The secondary also returns a single starter in strong safety Mark Barron. The rest of both units are filled with young blue chip talent, with most positions unsettled as of now.​

Prediction: With Florida and Georgia having more question marks than Alabama, all I can say is C’est Bon. Alabama should be a legitimate national title contender. Saban has to resist the urge to shut down the offenses in close games, because Alabama won’t be able to squeak out every close win like they did in 2009 without allowing the offense to open up and put up points.


Ouch on Vandy...but true.





http://thesportsjury.com/2010072264/College-Football/2010-sec-preview
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[It Takes Eleven]

That's a good read. The Ole Miss defensive outlook was pretty brutal, too -

Tyrone Nix loves to blitz. His defenses give up big plays and cause big negative plays. The defense will be anchored by Jerrell Powe, who can’t read this article. 3 other defensive line-mates return to anchor against the run. Nix’s defense may be un-done by an inexperienced secondary.

 

[TideAlum05]

I don't get the hype for LSU's secondary. I do get the hype for Peterson, but he said LSU might have the best secondary in the nation. I seriously doubt that. Hell, they won't even be best in the SEC @ year end.

 

[LBS]

Didn't read further than Bama's preview. I do not agree at all with this person. They are not familiar with CNS and his teams.

He paints a picture of a conservative Offense. Is it conservative to beat the snot out of teams physically for three quarters before easliy pulling away? We the "Wild ___" when needed, have the best rushing tandum in the game, a receiver who gets double teamed getting off the bus. How "Dominating" is anything but a good thing is beyond me.

Lost everybody, except all those returninig lettermen on Defense. Where did this guy get the idea that only 11 Defenders a year have value? Just like last year, we start the season with Pre-Season all conference players on all three levels. He didn't seem to give much value to CNS and CKS working the issue.

 

[Big_Fan]

I am saying that if JSU can generate some offense, Jax State may upset Ole Miss in the grove this year. JSU is undersized, but very fast and they have SEC talent in the offensive backfield. I wish Coty Blanchard was a year or two older...but I think even with inexperience at QB, they will be improved with Perriloux gone.

The biggest question is:"can they overcome the coaching of Jack Crowe?"

I really really really really hope JSU Marching Southerners uncork their version of Dixie. Blows away the Ole Miss band. At 1:10

[video=youtube;AqmLqWuIysg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqmLqWuIysg[/video]

 

[BamaCore]

You ain't kidding about JSU's band. They have one of the best marching bands I've ever seen. It's a treat if you ever get to watch them perform.

 

[Big_Fan]

You ain't kidding about JSU's band. They have one of the best marching bands I've ever seen. It's a treat if you ever get to watch them perform.

If they play "Dixie Woodwinds" I bet they get a standing O from the Ole Miss crowd. I think Dixie has been pretty much shelved from public performances these days. When I was there we played the second half of it (Dixie II) as a fight song.

I know that in 1992 while I was there, JSU did away with their annual "March of the Southern Gentleman" where the KA frat dressed up as Confederate soldiers and the sororities dressed as belles - then they marched from the campus to the square at Jacksonville...it was an awesome event...but deemed insensitive and not PC. Anything linked to southern heritage and tradition seems destined to be labeled racist.

 

[c5vetman]

OLE MISS: 2009 was a major disappointment, with the team melting down surrounding its purported Heisman contender. Snead crashed, burned, and left. The good thing for Ole Miss is that it doesn’t have far to fall before hitting bottom. The bad thing for Ole Miss this year is that there is no Darren McFadden and Felix Jones to save Nutt’s season.
Offense: No more Snead. No more McCluster. No reason to get excited. I believe one offensive starter returns, left tackle Bradley Sowell.
Defense: Tyrone Nix loves to blitz. His defenses give up big plays and cause big negative plays. The defense will be anchored by Jerrell Powe, who can’t read this article. 3 other defensive line-mates return to anchor against the run. Nix’s defense may be un-done by an inexperienced secondary.
Prediction: Ed Orgeron’s talent is all but gone. A disappointing 2009 likely will lead to the slow decline that follows Houston Nutt’s tenure.

Brutal!

 

[psychojoe]

Brutal!

Agreed. No need to apply so demeaning a statement to a player, especially in a preview article.

c5, good to see you on the board again.

 

[c5vetman]

Agreed. No need to apply so demeaning a statement to a player, especially in a preview article.

c5, good to see you on the board again.

thanks. I'm on here a good bit, just don't post too much. I don't know anything until after I read it here, so not much point!

 

[bamafan4ever]

I love Trent Richardson and I HOPE he is better than Mark Ingram but I am sick of seeing it regurgitated over and over again that Richardson is better than Ingram. Why can't they both be great?

LBS nailed it. I disagree with the assertion that Saban reels in the offense in favor of the defense. I believe Saban plays to his strengths and guess where that is, at least early in the season?!

One last thing, Chapman may be 60 or 70 pounds lighter than Cody but the dude is STRONG!

 

[bamafan4ever]

Re-opened...maybe someone locked this by accident?