SEC Preseason Predictions | Gator Nation Report

Here's our projection for the SEC in 2007. Let's tee it up and let the best team win!

SEC East

1. Florida (6-2)
Losing 9 of 11 starters on defense will keep UF from serious contention for a national title repeat, but an explosive offense led by new QB Tim Tebow will be strong enough to win another Eastern Division title. Florida only lost once last year thanks to its stout defense. This year, the offense will carry the team, but look for a couple of losses along the way. The SEC East won't be decided until Florida travels to South Carolina on Nov. 10.

2. Tennessee (5-3)
Senior QB Eric Ainge's leadership will go a long way to putting Tennessee back in contention for the SEC. But an early-season loss at Florida will once again deny the Vols a trip to Atlanta.

3. South Carolina (5-3)
Spurrier will have his best Gamecock team to date, and they will compete with the top dogs in the league. But there are simply too many obstacles to expect an SEC East title this year.

4. Georgia (4-4)
Mark Richt's offense will be stunted by a weak offensive line. The Bulldogs will win its share, but the talent is not there to sustain a title run.

5. Kentucky (4-4)
Kentucky could finish as high as second in the SEC East this year, they have the talent and coaching to beat anyone in the league on any given day. Doing it week in and week out is another story.

6. Vanderbilt (1-7)
The Commodores aren't that bad -- the rest of the division is just that good. Vanderbilt will be the best seven-loss team in the country.

SEC West

1. LSU (8-0)
The Tigers have the best talent in the league and should run roughshod over a mediocre Western Division. They have a favorable schedule, with all their toughest opponents coming to Baton Rouge. No excuses this year if Les Miles doesn't make it to the SEC title game. A win in Atlanta should give LSU a shot at a national title.

2. Auburn (5-3)
These Tigers had an 11-2 season last year but fell flat in two critical division games. This year, they'll still be a formidable opponent, but a killer road schedule (at LSU, at Florida, at Arkansas and at Georgia) make for an uphill climb to Atlanta.

3. Arkansas (4-4)
Last years' unexpected run to the SEC West title will be tough to repeat. Darren McFadden will keep the Razorbacks in the hunt, but one or two unexpected losses may have the Hog fans turning on Houston Nutt.

4. Alabama (3-5)
Nick Saban will have the Tide competing for the SEC in a couple of years. This is not that year.

5. Ole Miss (1-7)
The Rebels are bad. Really bad. Thank God for....

6. Mississippi State (0-8)
Sylvester Croom will have the distinction of also being the first black head coach in the SEC to be fired.

SEC CHAMPIONSHIP

LSU over Florida

Comments (2) Add A Comment

August 28, 2007 09:35 PM ET

Report Abuse | QUOTE

With the loss of their QB, two wide receivers, and offensive coordinator, I'm not sure LSU can go undefeated in the SEC. As good as UF was last, they couldn't pull it off. They may still win the west, maybe even the SEC, but no National Championship with a loss in a schedule that isn't the toughest .

autotech

New Port Richey , FL

Total Comments (2)

August 29, 2007 01:01 AM ET

autotech - i went back and forth whether to give LSU a loss. Had to keep asking myself - who's going to beat them? The best candidates, IMO, are Florida and Auburn, but both of those games are in Baton Rouge.

LSU could certainly lose a game or two, the SEC is definitely that tough. And the SEC title game is no gimme, either.