SEC Preview

Now that the season is fastly appraoching, we take a look at each conference for where the teams may stack up, who are the best at each positon, some of the storylines to watch, and some of the top talents for the 2010 NFL Draft.

Projected Final Standings:
East
1. Florida 12-0
2. Georgia 9-3
3. Tennessee 7-5
4. South Carolina 6-6
5. Vanderbilt 5-7
6. Kentucky 5-7

West
1. Ole Miss 10-2
2. LSU 9-3
3. Alabama 9-3
4. Arkansas 7-5
5. Auburn 5-7
6. Mississippi St. 2-10

Pre-Season All-Conference:
QB- Tim Tebow, Florida, Sr.
RB- Charles Scott, LSU, Sr.
RB- Anthony Dixon, Mississippi St., Sr.
WR- Julio Jones, Alabama, So.
WR- Brandon LaFell, LSU, Sr.
TE- Aaron Hernandez, Florida, Jr.
C- Ryan Pugh, Auburn, Jr.
OL- Trinton Sturdivant, Georgia, Jr. 
OL- John Jerry, Ole Miss, Sr.
OL- Mike Johnson, Alabama, Sr.
OL- Ciron Black, LSU, Sr.

DE- Carlos Dunlap, Florida, Jr.
DE- Greg Hardy, Ole Miss, Sr.
DT- Terrence Cody, Alabama, Sr.
DT- Geno Atkins, Georgia. Sr.
LB- Brandon Spikes, Florida, Sr.
LB- Rolando McClain, Alabama, Jr.
LB- Rennie Curran, Georgia, Jr.
CB- Trevard Lindely, Kentucky, Sr.
CB- Joe Haden, Florida, Jr.
S- Eric Berry, Tennessee, Jr.
S- Chad Jones, LSU, Jr.

Intriguing Story Lines:
1. Tebow Going For Another BCS Title, Heisman
A legend in playing, it would be hard to argue against the fact that Tebow is one of the Top 5 greatest college football players ever. That doesn’t mean he’s the most talented quarterback, because he might barely make the top 10 in the country this season in that category. Tim Tebow’s greatness comes from everything you need not only in a quarterback, but in a leader. Tebow leads with a fiery storm, a gutsy attitude, and shoulders all the responsibility for a team mistake. Those amazing qualities are why he’s a Heisman favorite every season. The Heisman is more than a stat or talent contest, it’s a way to recognize the best overall player and winner in football (which is why Colt Brennan, Graham Harrell, or Timmy Chang never really got close). Tebow should be the favorite again this season to win the prestigious trophy, most likely followed swiftly by a statue in Gainesville of the heralded field general similar to Joe Paterno and other college football legends. The Heisman, coupled with the fact that he has the best opportunity in years to snatch an undefeated season, with the SEC lacking another top notch contender in most peoples eyes, Tebow should be in-store for another memorable season.

2.Wide-Open SEC West
The SEC East is near set in stone, with Florida head, shoulders and knees above that part of the conference, with Georgia most likely going for the number 2 spot. However, the SEC West should be a much closer race, with (in our recent poll) 3 top 10 teams and another Arkansas team poised to surprise. Alabama is ranked as high as 5 on some polls, with the tremendous coaching of Nick Saban and a great defense. LSU has been a very consistent team over the past 5 years, and with Jordan Jefferson, a very promising young quarterback, looking like the real deal, plus a loaded position-player roster and an experience offensive line, the Tigers should once again be competing. And finally, everyone’s favorite sleeper, the Ole Miss Rebels, who have the best PASSER in the conference in Jevan Snead, plus an offensive playmaker (Dexter McCluster) and a defensive playmaker (Greg Hardy) that are both well-known in SEC circles.

3. Tennessee, Kiffin in For A 2009 Turnaround?
It was a definite off-season of excitement (and sometimes turmoil) in Knoxville, Tennessee, with the arrival of the now well-known Lane Kiffin. Kiffin made waves with the Voulenteers in quite a few ways that spell good things for the future. He first stacked his coaching staff with former head coaches, outstanding recruiters, and one of the best defensive minds in all of football for the past 20 years, his dad Monte Kiffin, former orchestrator of the Tampa Bay Bucs. Kiffin also established himself recruiting-wise, competing with the Florida’s, Texas’s, Oklahoma’s and the Alabama’s for the top talent in the country, including snatching up the top running back prospect in the country, Bryce Brown. Fans are excited in Tennessee for the dawn of the Kiffin era, and it looks to be a bright one. However, we will see if he can take advantage of a very mediocre SEC East (outside of Florida) in his first year, or if their will be a minor setback before he can fully excel.

End of the Season Awards:
MVP: Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Offensive Player of the Year: Jevan Snead, QB, Ole Miss
Defensive Player of the Year: Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida
Newcomer of the Year: Ryan Mallet, QB, Arkansas
Surprise Player of the Year: Montario Hardsety, RB, Tennessee

Top 5 NFL Prospects for 2010 Draft
Eric Berry, Safety,Tennessee
With NFL teams looking for a Ed Reed type playmaker, Eric Berry fills that role. With 12 interceptions (3 for touchdowns) in 2 years Berry has proven to be a difference maker in the Vols secondary. Should shatter the NCAA interception return yards record this season. A certain top 10 pick and probably the best player in the 2010 draft.

Jevan Snead, Quarterback, Ole Miss
Arm Strength..check,  Poise…check…Leading a perennial bottom tier team to the SEC championship…definite possibility for Snead.  He passed for over 2700 yards and 26 touchdowns as a sophomore transfer.  If he can improve on his 56%completionon percentage and guide the Rebels to the SEC title Jevan could possibly be the 1st QB taken in the draft.  

Terrence CodyDefensive Tackle, Alabama
Massive DT at 6-5 365. If Cody keeps an eye on his weight and stay motivated he can be an ideal 3-4 NT run stuffer for an NFL team.  All indications so far have been good with reports of Cody losing weight and playing with a passion. While he wont make many plays outside of the box it will be hard for a team to run the ball up the middle.

Charles Scott, Running Back, LSU
Scott is among the top running backs in this year’s draft class were the talent pool is not that deep like last year. Despite teams stacking 8 or more defenders in the box he still was able to carry LSU last season.He has the body to take the punishment of the NFL and is more of a traditional running back. If he has another good season this year expect him to be 1st rounder on draft day.

Greg Hardy, Defensive End, Ole Miss
Hardy is one of the best pass rushers in college football. He led the SEC with 10 sacks last season. There is no doubt he is a dominate force on the field. the question is can he stay on the field? If he prove to NFL Teams he can stay healthy, pencil him in among 1st rounders on draft.