[h=3]SEC[/h]
East Division champion: Georgia
West Division champion: Alabama
SEC champion: Alabama
Offensive player of the year: Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia
After deciding to return for his senior season, Murray will have a chance to break numerous SEC and UGA passing records. He is the first quarterback in SEC history to throw for 3,000 yards in three consecutive seasons, and he set UGA single-season records with 3,893 passing yards and 36 touchdowns in 2012. Murray will be surrounded by one of the country's best tailback tandems and receiving corps this coming season.
Defensive player of the year: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
Clowney would probably have been the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft after his sophomore season, and he'll surely be the top pick next spring if he stays healthy this season. Last season, Clowney finished with 54 tackles, 13 sacks and 23½ tackles for loss. He's the most disruptive player in the country and can rarely be blocked by one player.
Newcomer of the year: Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban loves big, bruising running backs, and they don't get much bigger or better than Henry. A 6-foot-3, 248-pound native of Yulee, Fla., Henry is the No. 1 ranked athlete by ESPN Recruiting after running for more than 12,000 yards and 150 touchdowns in high school. He'll share carries with T.J. Yeldon as a freshman at Alabama.
Coach of the year: Mark Richt, Georgia
If the Bulldogs hold off South Carolina and Florida in the East for the third consecutive season, Richt might finally get the respect he deserves after going 118-40 in his 12 seasons at UGA. The Bulldogs play a more difficult schedule and must replace much of their defense, but they might have explosive an offense as any in the country.
Coach on the hot seat: Gary Pinkel, Missouri
Assistant coach most likely to get a head-coaching job: Kirby Smart, defensive coordinator, Alabama
Team climbing: Ole Miss
Team falling: Arkansas
Best conference game: Alabama at Texas A&M, Sept. 13
Best nonconference game: Georgia at Clemson, Aug. 31
Read his thoughts on the other conferences here...
East Division champion: Georgia
West Division champion: Alabama
SEC champion: Alabama
Offensive player of the year: Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia
After deciding to return for his senior season, Murray will have a chance to break numerous SEC and UGA passing records. He is the first quarterback in SEC history to throw for 3,000 yards in three consecutive seasons, and he set UGA single-season records with 3,893 passing yards and 36 touchdowns in 2012. Murray will be surrounded by one of the country's best tailback tandems and receiving corps this coming season.
Defensive player of the year: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
Clowney would probably have been the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft after his sophomore season, and he'll surely be the top pick next spring if he stays healthy this season. Last season, Clowney finished with 54 tackles, 13 sacks and 23½ tackles for loss. He's the most disruptive player in the country and can rarely be blocked by one player.
Newcomer of the year: Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban loves big, bruising running backs, and they don't get much bigger or better than Henry. A 6-foot-3, 248-pound native of Yulee, Fla., Henry is the No. 1 ranked athlete by ESPN Recruiting after running for more than 12,000 yards and 150 touchdowns in high school. He'll share carries with T.J. Yeldon as a freshman at Alabama.
Coach of the year: Mark Richt, Georgia
If the Bulldogs hold off South Carolina and Florida in the East for the third consecutive season, Richt might finally get the respect he deserves after going 118-40 in his 12 seasons at UGA. The Bulldogs play a more difficult schedule and must replace much of their defense, but they might have explosive an offense as any in the country.
Coach on the hot seat: Gary Pinkel, Missouri
Assistant coach most likely to get a head-coaching job: Kirby Smart, defensive coordinator, Alabama
Team climbing: Ole Miss
Team falling: Arkansas
Best conference game: Alabama at Texas A&M, Sept. 13
Best nonconference game: Georgia at Clemson, Aug. 31
Read his thoughts on the other conferences here...
