As we move on through the NCAA conference previews, we have made it to the big one; the SEC. The SEC is home to the last 6 National Champions and it seems that every year the conference produces more NFL talent than anywhere else in the country. The South takes their games seriously and there are huge tailgates, and huge crowds every Saturday. Games between high-powered SEC rivals are intense affairs that often come right down to the wire. They feature big time players and big time stars. Even coaches like Nick Saban, Les Miles, and Steve Spurrier are household names throughout the country. This is as close to pro football as it gets without being played on Sunday. There are legitimate National Championship contenders in other conferences, but no conference is as deep in talent as the SEC, as even the 5th, 6th, and 7th best teams are very dangerous opponents.
If you wish to read previous previews on the Big XII, ACC, and Big East, click each of the conference names.
Conference Additions: Missouri and Texas A&M from the Big 12
ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
2011-12 Record: 12-1 (7-1 SEC)
Returning Starters: 7 on offense, 4 on defense
Key Loss(es): RB Trent Richardson is the obvious one, but losing S Mark Barron and CB Dre Kirkpatrick could hurt more with just four starters returning on defense
Player to Watch: QB A.J. McCarron- the Tide may rely more on the passing game with Richardson gone.
Of Note: Four starters return on the offensive line
Can’t-Miss Game: The Iron Bowl, November 24 vs. Auburn
AUBURN TIGERS
2011-12 Record: 8-5 (4-4 SEC)
Returning Starters: 6 on offense, 9 on defense
Key Loss: Offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, now the head coach at Arkansas State
Player To Watch: QB Kiehl Frazier, in Scot Loeffler’s new pro-style offense. How quickly can he adapt?
Of Note: Auburn’s had a few good recruiting classes in a row now. By next year they could pose a serious challenge for the SEC West crown, if not for the SEC outright.
Can’t-Miss Game: September 22 vs. LSU
OLE MISS REBELS
2011-12 Record: 2-10 (0-8 SEC)
Returning Starters: 5 on offense, 7 on defense
Key Loss: 4 out of 5 starters on last year’s offensive line
Player To Watch: QB Randall Mackey moves to WR, giving the Rebels some interesting Wildcat-type options on offense
Of Note: The Rebels’ most experienced players this season are the punter and the kicker
Can’t-Miss Game: The Egg Bowl November 24 vs. Mississippi State
MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS
2011-12 Record: 7-6 (2-6 SEC)
Returning Starters: 5 on offense, 7 on defense
Key Losses: QB Chris Relf (graduation); RB Vick Ballard and DT Fletcher Cox (NFL)
Player To Watch: QB Tyler Russell will have an offense tailored to him rather than Relf this year, and three seniors at WR.
Of Note: Schedule is brutal and includes road games in both Tuscaloosa and Baton Rouge.
LSU TIGERS
2011-12 Record: 13-1 (8-0 SEC)
Returning Starters: 6 on offense, 4 on defense
Key Losses: CB/S Morris Claiborne, WR Ruben Randle, DT Michael Brockers (NFL); CB Tyrann Mathieu (suspension/drug rehab)
Key Addition: The Tigers are a bit thin at LB. Don’t be surprised if true freshman Kwon Alexander sees time.
Player To Watch: WR Spencer Ware. With a presumed upgrade at QB, he should see more balls thrown his way.
Of Note: It’s possible Mathieu will be missed more in the return game than in the secondary.
Can’t-Miss Game: November 3 vs. Alabama, at home in the bayou
ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS
2011-12 Record: 11-2 (6-2 SEC)
Returning Starters: 7 on offense, 6 on defense
Key Loss: WR/return man Joe Adams
Key Addition: RB Knile Davis, who returns from a broken ankle
Of Note: While Arkansas does face LSU and Alabama, both games will be in Fayetteville
Can’t-Miss Game: The Hogs will face an early test against Alabama on September 15
TEXAS A&M AGGIES
2011-12 Record: 7-6 (4-5 Big 12)
Returning Starters: 6 on offense, 4 on defense
Key Loss: QB Ryan Tannehill (NFL)
Key Addition: RB Christine Michael returns from an ACL injury
Players to Watch: Starting QB Johnny Manziel is a redshirt freshman who just recently won the battle to replace Tannehill.
Of Note: The Aggies have road games scheduled against Alabama and Auburn
Can’t-Miss Game: September 8 at Florida. Welcome to the SEC. *gator chomp*
VANDERBILT COMMODORES
2011-12 Record: 6-7 (2-6 SEC)
Returning Starters: 6 on offense, 7 on defense
Key Loss: Longtime LB Chris Marve (graduation), CB Casey Hayward (NFL)
Player To Watch: QB Jordan Rodgers, who replaced Larry Smith midway through last season. His decision-making and accuracy need to continue to improve.
Of Note: QB Rodgers is the younger brother of Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers.
Can’t-Miss Game: September 8 at Northwestern, the battle of the smart kids.
MISSOURI TIGERS
2011-12 Record: 8-5 (4-4 Big 12)
Returning Starters: 5 on offense, 5 on defense
Key Loss: RB Henry Josey suffered a severe knee injury last November and is unlikely to play this season.
Player To Watch: WR Dorial Green-Beckham was one of the top recruits in the country and could make an impact early.
Of Note: While it doesn’t make much sense geographically, Missouri will play in the weaker SEC East.
Can’t-Miss Game: September 22, as the Tigers play their first SEC road game against South Carolina
TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS
2011-12 Record: 5-7 (1-7 SEC)
Returning Starters: 8 on offense, 9 on defense
Key Loss: Junior WR Da’Rick Rogers, removed from team due to violating the substance abuse policy
Player To Watch: Junior kicker Michael Palardy is just 14 of 21 on field goals in his career.
Of Note: RB Rajion Neal played WR last season
GEORGIA BULLDOGS
2011-12 Record: 10-4 (7-1 SEC)
Returning Starters: 6 on offense, 10 on defense
Key Loss: OT Cordy Glenn (NFL), RB Isaiah Crowell (removed from team due to felony weapons charge)
Player To Watch: RB Ken Malcome becomes the starter with Crowell gone
Of note: K Blair Walsh, P Drew Butler, and return specialist Brandon Boykin are all gone; true freshman will be handling both kicking and punting duties.
Can’t-Miss Game: October 6 at South Carolina; the winner will likely win the SEC East.
SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS
2011-12 Record: 11-2 (6-2 SEC)
Returning Starters: 7 on offense, 5 on defense
Key Loss: WR Alshon Jeffrey, CB Stephon Gilmore, DT Melvin Ingram (NFL)
Key Addition: RB Marcus Lattimore returns from the knee injury that derailed his sophomore season
Player To Watch: Sophomore Jadaveon Clowney had eight sacks as a true freshman. He says he now knows the entire defensive playbook.
Of Note: The Gamecocks have a slightly more challenging schedule than Georgia, with Arkansas at home and a road trip to LSU.
Can’t-Miss Game: October 13 at LSU
FLORIDA GATORS
2011-12 Record: 7-6 (3-5 SEC)
Returning Starters: 7 on offense, 10 on defense
Key Loss: LB Ronald Powell tore his ACL in the spring, but could be back on the field sometime in October
Players To Watch: Will Muschamp has yet to choose a starting QB; he says both Jeff Driskell and Jacoby Brissett will play in the season opener.
Of Note: Florida’s conference road games are at Texas A&M, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt. You don’t get much softer than that in the SEC. (They do play LSU and South Carolina at home, and the annual neutral-site game against Georgia).
Can’t-Miss Game: The Game That We’re Not Supposed To Call The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, October 29 vs. Georgia in Jacksonville
KENTUCKY WILDCATS
2011-12 Record: 5-7 (2-6 SEC)
Returning Starters: 3 on offense, 5 on defense.
Key Losses: S Winston Guy and LB Danny Trevathan were the top two tacklers in the SEC last season; both are now in the NFL
Key Addition: QB recruit Patrick Towles could see the field at some point
Of Note: The ‘Cats have eight bowl teams on the schedule
Can’t-Miss Game: November 24 at Tennessee
SEC OVERVIEW
SEC Champion: Alabama
Best Bets to Challenge: LSU, Arkansas, South Carolina
Offensive Player Of The Year: RB Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina
Defensive Player Of The Year: DE Barkevious Mingo, LSU
Coach On The Hot Seat: Joker Phillips, Kentucky (11-14, 2 seasons)
