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I will be updating these every week. I had a lot of fun getting the preseason list. I wrote down a paragraph for positives/negatives/prediction and it's a definite tl;dr candidate on VN. I hope you guys enjoy.
1. Alabama
Positives: They are the defending champions. They have the best coach in the country. They have a QB who has thrown only EIGHT career interceptions in 700 attempts. They have T.J. Yeldon coming back. They also have seven returning starters on defense from a top ten group, including every starter from the linebacker spot. They have a stud receiving corps, maybe the best at Alabama in the last ten years. Oh, they also bring in the #1 recruiting class.
Negatives: Not much, but there are a couple concerns. The Tide lose three great offensive linemen. There are some concerns about the defensive line position with lack of experience. They also must find somebody to replace shut down CB Dee Milliner, who really gave them an extra dimension last year. Also, if Yeldon goes down, can somebody step up?
Prediction: Alabama will win the SEC title...but no national championship appearance this year. They will slip up and I dont believe a one loss team will be in the title hunt this year.
2. South Carolina
Positives: A proven QB and a proven backup QB give USC the most experience at the position with Connor Shaw and Dylan Thompson. No team in the conference can sustain an injury to their QB and continue to roll like USC. They have the best player in the country with Mr. Jadaveon Clowney, and their defense, while losing six starters, always revamps, especially with three secondary starters returning.
Negatives: They have to completely replace their linebacker corps from last year, especially the very underrated D.J. Swearinger, who played that hybrid safety/linebacker spot incredibly well. They also need proven help on the defensive line with Clowney. Also, can Damiere Byrd replace Ace Sanders and his explosiveness at wideout? Connor Shaw or Dylan Thompson need to take that next step to becoming a more consistent threat to help the run game.
Prediction: South Carolina will do something for the first time in school history...win the East twice in three years. Can they finally get to a BCS bowl, and more importantly, win the SEC for the first time?
3. Georgia
Positives: THAT offense though. Ten starters returning. The best running back tandem arguably in the country. One of the best statistical QB's in SEC history. Four starters on the offensive line return. Marvin Mitchell is underrated and the Gurley/Marshall running back tandem has a chance for both players to get 1,000 yards this season.
Negatives: So many questions on defense. Can Jordan Jenkins be an every down star like Jarvis Jones? Can the secondary replace BOTH safeties and still be effective? The biggest question is how Georgia plans to replace defensive stalwart and run stopping machine DT John Jenkins. They have a lot of questions going into the season.
Prediction: Georgia will have another ten win season because they have the best offense in the SEC, but their defense will struggle early. Todd Grantham has done well at Georgia, but this will be his toughest test. He must find replacements on the defensive line or it could be a disappointing season
4. Texas A&M (This ranking assumes Johnny Manziel will be eligible for every game despite the NCAA investigation)
Positives: How about Johnny Football to start with? The best offensive player in the country can only get better. Jake Matthews returns as a future first round pick, along with two other starters to provide a stout offensive line. Ben Malena is overlooked with Manziel in the background, but he averaged six yards a pop in the run game. Sulmin has some talent on the defensive line, with two starters returning on the line. Mike Davis returns after an incredible freshman year where he had 1,200 yards.
Negatives: Ryan Swope and Luke Joeckel are going to be missed, but the defense loses seven starters, which people seem to forget, including five of the back seven back end. Texas A&M will miss Demontre Moore and has to find somebody to replace those 20 TFL and 12.5 sacks. Can Texas A&M replace three starters in the secondary and prepare them properly in time for the showdown against Alabama?
Prediction: Nine or ten wins for Texas A&M seems right assuming Manziel is eligible all season. I think people forget that TAMU had a pretty solid defense last year. They will struggle to start. But that offense, with Heisman winner Manziel leading them, will most likely have a big year and keep them in every game.
5. LSU
Positives: A DECENT QUARTERBACK!!!!!!! Zach Mettenberg isn't a star, but he has shown he's capable of being a solid QB who can lead an offense, and with new Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron, they should find some sort of consistency. Mettenberg has Jeremy Hill back to go with a great stable in Alfred Blue and Kenny Hilliard. They also return their top three receivers and three offensive linemen. LSU should have no problem scoring points.
Negatives: Losing six of your front seven is going to hurt. LSU has depth, but its inexperienced. Anthony Johnson has to step up and become the best player on that line, but it won't be easy replacing all four starters up front. LSU also needs more consistency from the line backing position, which will be hard with replacing two starters. LSU should be solid in the secondary however. And despite what the talent on paper says, Les Miles has never had a consistent offense.
Prediction: A little bit of a down year for LSU. I think 8-4 for LSU this season, with a chance at nine wins. Cam Cameron has to correct the offensive issues and they must carry the team this year with nine defensive starters lost, and the Les Miles era has basically zero high powered offensive attacks.
6. Florida
Positives: Florida has a very good offensive line, with three starters returning and a very talented transfer from Nebraska in OT Tyler Moor, who will provide depth. Jeff Driskel returns, and he provides a steady dual-threat at the Quarterback position. Floridas secondary might be the best in the SEC, with three starters returning, and a beastly 1-2-3 punch at the CB position with Loucheiz Purifoy and Marcus Robinson, to go with nickel back Cody Riggs. While inexperienced, Matt Jones and Kelvin Taylor provide a very exciting 1-2 punch at the RB spot.
Negatives: The wide receivers just dont have big play ability. Florida is going to have to rely on Demarius Robinson (a true freshman) to be their deep threat, and hes never played a game. The depth is hurting with Andre DeBose out for the year, despite his disappointing career so far. The defense was great last year, but lost a ton. Just one starter returns on the front line, and Florida must completely replace their line backing corps, especially LB Jon Bostic and first round pick DT Shariff Floyd. Ronald Powell does come back as a really good pass rusher, but can he still be highly effective coming off the knee injury?
Prediction: Florida and LSU are almost the same exact team, a team that has to rely on great defense, but has to replace a lot of defense, with uncertainty on offense. However, LSU has a great running back stable and solid wide outs, while UF doesnt at this point. Florida also has a tough out of conference schedule with Florida State and Miami. Florida has a tough schedule, and I see eight wins for the Gators.
7. Ole Miss
Positives: Hugh Freeze has them rolling at Mississippi, with a top ten recruiting class and some talent back with a surprising 2012 winning campaign. They have sixteen starters returning (eight on each side). Bo Wallace returns with Jeff Scott has a potent 1-2 punch in the backfield to go with four returning starters on the offensive line and the three top pass catchers back. Then the defense has both linebackers back and 3/5 of the starting secondary back, along with lots of talent on the defensive line. Oh, did I mention the #1 prospect in the country with Robert Nkemdiche to give them an elite pass rusher?
Negatives: The secondary returns three starters, but sucked in pass defense situations last year. Also, the offensive had a good year, but can Bo Wallace cut down the turnovers and provide more consistency? Seventeen picks will not get it done for the Rebels this year. While Hugh Freeze has done a great job on the recruiting trail, Ole Miss still doesnt have the depth needed to compete for a championship.
Prediction: Seven regular season wins for Ole Miss, which is another solid year for Hugh Freeze with such a tough schedule in the SEC. Ole Miss will have a chance to compete for a SEC title in 2014 if Freeze continues his stellar recruiting.
8. Mississippi State
Positives: Tyler Russell is underrated at the QB position, and Dan Mullen finally found his quarterback to run his system at Starkville. Four starters on the O-Line returns and Mullen finally has some depth to help build consistency on offense. LaDarius Perkins returns with a 1,000 yard season on his belt, and Mullen has recruited some depth on defense, with four starters returning on the front seven that should help shore up the run defense.
Negatives: Mississippi loses basically all of last years receiving options. Is there somebody who can step up? Mississippi was inconsistent on defense and only returns one starter from the secondary. The offense can sputter at times and when the schedule got tough last year, the Bulldogs folded bad.
Prediction: Dan Mullen has done a solid job at Mississippi State, but he has not taken that next step with the Bulldogs, and he has not built up the depth/talent base yet to where MSU can win ten games. A seven win season for the Bulldogs.
9. Arkansas
Positives: They return eight defensive starters, including their entire secondary, and despite his flaws, Former HC Bobby Petrino has created good, quality depth for the Arkansas defense. The defensive line returns three starters who were 19th in the country in rush defense, including big time stud Chris Smith at the defensive end spot, one of the best pass rushers in the South. Despite the lack of experience, Arkansas does have a lot of talent at the playmaking positions. Arkansas does also have the best center in the country with Travis Swanson returning.
Negatives: The offense might take a while to start producing for Bret Bielemas standards. Only two offensive linemen return, and Petrino believed in a quick offensive line to slow down pass rushers. Bielema is the opposite, needing big, strong linemen who can maul people. No experience among the playmaking positions, and the secondary struggled a lot last year. Also, Arkansas has exactly zero proven players at the quarterback position with Tyler Wilson leaving.
Prediction: Im a big fan of Bret Bielema, but hes not a miracle worker. The defense isnt elite and the offense will take a year or more to fix. Arkansas has the talent and coaching staff to get to a bowl game, and I think they can pull out an upset this year. Seven wins for the Hogs.
10. Tennessee
Positives: UT has the best offensive line in the SEC, and has a case for the best in the country with four starters returning and depth behind them, including future star in LT Antonio Richardson. The Vols return their 1-2 running back combination in Marlin Lane and Rajion Neal. While the defense did suck last year, they return eight starters and get Brian Randolph back, who is a playmaker, along with tackling machine A.J. Johnson.
Negatives: The Vols lost their top four pass catchers and the quarterback. You dont replace that production immediately. Tennessee also lacks good defensive depth, especially in the secondary, to be solid in the SEC. The defensive line has a lot of talent and experience, but no true playmakers. Can Jacquez Smith or Dan McCullers be that guy? The Vols also are adjusting to completely new philosophies on offense and defense with new coach Butch Jones, which will take time to get.
Prediction: If the Vols stay healthy, they should get to a bowl game if Butch Jones knows what he is doing, but dont expect an eight or nine win season. UT does have some talent and could pull off an upset, but Tennessee needs to focus on getting to a bowl, and they will. I see seven wins for the Vols.
11. Vanderbilt
Positives: There is actual talent/depth that cant be laughed out of the conference. Four starters on the offensive line return, which should help Vanderbilts anemic offense from last year, especially their run game. Brian Kimbrow and Wesley Tate have talent, and Vandy returns their top three wide outs. The defense has six starters coming back, including three in the secondary.
Negatives: Replacing three starters on the D-Line will be hard, especially at Vandy. Austyn Carta-Samuels has never looked completely comfortable against decent teams, and Jordan Rogers was underrated. Zach Stacey was a legitimate playmaker at running back and will be sorely missed. And the secondary still lacks SEC talent, despite three starters returning. I dont believe Vandy has enough depth on the front seven to compete for sixty minutes in the SEC.
Prediction: Ill give James Franklin and his team a bowl appearance, but the schedule is harder and I think people are sorely underestimating Jordan Rogers and his game managing (only five interceptions last year). The defense has some talent, but inexperience abounds the 2nd and 3rd string. However, this is Vanderbilt, and a bowl game will be a solid year.
12. Auburn
Positives: Say what you want about Gus Malzahn, but he knows his offense. Four starters return on the offensive line and they should be able to play in Malzahns up tempo offensive, especially future star LT Greg Robinson. Malzahn has some talent at the playmaking position, including 1,000 yard rusher Tre Mason. The defense returns six starters on defense and the defensive line has excellent talent with Dee Ford and Angelo Blackson returning to go with five star prospect Carl Lawson at DE.
Negatives: Other than Mason, nobody can make a play in space, but the biggest question is quarterback. Malzahn has two options who can run is offense with Keihl Frazier and Jonathan Wallace, but neither has proven anything at this point. The back seven isnt where it needs to be and Auburn will have problems replacing depth in the secondary and line backing corps.
Prediction: No bowl for Auburn this year. Just not enough offensive firepower and their defense is not where it needs to be. Chizik had nice recruiting rankings, but this isnt an SEC caliber team. Four or five wins for Auburn this year. It will be a long year on the Plains, but Malzahn needs time.
13. Missouri
Positives: James Franklin is a legit playmaker at the quarterback spot, and brings great ability. Four starters on the offensive line return with a lot of talent at the wide out position. The defense also returns six starters including three on the defensive line. Dorial Green-Beckham should be ready to have a big season with his talent.
Negatives: Quite frankly, Gary Pinkel and company dont have SEC talent. They lose Sheldon Richardson at the defensive tackle spot, who was a big time player for them. Kendial Lawrence had 1100 yards and 12 TDs last year, and while Henry Josey returns from a knee injury, they still have little experience in the backfield. The defense still does not have the proper depth to compete every weekend in the SEC.
Prediction: Another season without a bowl for the Tigers. They do not have the horses to compete in the SEC and win six games, let alone eight. If Missouri wants to start winning in the SEC, they must improve the speed of their defense. They do not have that right now.
14. Kentucky
Positives: Im not trying to be mean, but quite frankly not much. Jalen Whitlow and Maxwell Smith both have talent and should put up some good numbers in the Air Raid offense Coach Mark Stoops is installing. Kentucky does return three offensive line starters, including both guards in Zach West and Kevin Mitchell. The defense does return four of their top five linebackers and has some talent on the front four.
Negatives: Kentucky is just depleted by the Joker Phillips era. There are basically zero playmakers on the outside and they lost their starting RB. The defensive secondary just isnt any good AND they lost three starters. Coach Stoops has to find out who the QB is with both having flaws in their game. Kentucky must also find an every down running back, and a legitimate wide out.
Prediction: Coach Mark Stoops is doing a good job and will eventually get this program to .500, but its going to be a few years. I see two wins, MAYBE three on the schedule with some breaks. Kentucky needs to improve its talent base bad.
1. Alabama
Positives: They are the defending champions. They have the best coach in the country. They have a QB who has thrown only EIGHT career interceptions in 700 attempts. They have T.J. Yeldon coming back. They also have seven returning starters on defense from a top ten group, including every starter from the linebacker spot. They have a stud receiving corps, maybe the best at Alabama in the last ten years. Oh, they also bring in the #1 recruiting class.
Negatives: Not much, but there are a couple concerns. The Tide lose three great offensive linemen. There are some concerns about the defensive line position with lack of experience. They also must find somebody to replace shut down CB Dee Milliner, who really gave them an extra dimension last year. Also, if Yeldon goes down, can somebody step up?
Prediction: Alabama will win the SEC title...but no national championship appearance this year. They will slip up and I dont believe a one loss team will be in the title hunt this year.
2. South Carolina
Positives: A proven QB and a proven backup QB give USC the most experience at the position with Connor Shaw and Dylan Thompson. No team in the conference can sustain an injury to their QB and continue to roll like USC. They have the best player in the country with Mr. Jadaveon Clowney, and their defense, while losing six starters, always revamps, especially with three secondary starters returning.
Negatives: They have to completely replace their linebacker corps from last year, especially the very underrated D.J. Swearinger, who played that hybrid safety/linebacker spot incredibly well. They also need proven help on the defensive line with Clowney. Also, can Damiere Byrd replace Ace Sanders and his explosiveness at wideout? Connor Shaw or Dylan Thompson need to take that next step to becoming a more consistent threat to help the run game.
Prediction: South Carolina will do something for the first time in school history...win the East twice in three years. Can they finally get to a BCS bowl, and more importantly, win the SEC for the first time?
3. Georgia
Positives: THAT offense though. Ten starters returning. The best running back tandem arguably in the country. One of the best statistical QB's in SEC history. Four starters on the offensive line return. Marvin Mitchell is underrated and the Gurley/Marshall running back tandem has a chance for both players to get 1,000 yards this season.
Negatives: So many questions on defense. Can Jordan Jenkins be an every down star like Jarvis Jones? Can the secondary replace BOTH safeties and still be effective? The biggest question is how Georgia plans to replace defensive stalwart and run stopping machine DT John Jenkins. They have a lot of questions going into the season.
Prediction: Georgia will have another ten win season because they have the best offense in the SEC, but their defense will struggle early. Todd Grantham has done well at Georgia, but this will be his toughest test. He must find replacements on the defensive line or it could be a disappointing season
4. Texas A&M (This ranking assumes Johnny Manziel will be eligible for every game despite the NCAA investigation)
Positives: How about Johnny Football to start with? The best offensive player in the country can only get better. Jake Matthews returns as a future first round pick, along with two other starters to provide a stout offensive line. Ben Malena is overlooked with Manziel in the background, but he averaged six yards a pop in the run game. Sulmin has some talent on the defensive line, with two starters returning on the line. Mike Davis returns after an incredible freshman year where he had 1,200 yards.
Negatives: Ryan Swope and Luke Joeckel are going to be missed, but the defense loses seven starters, which people seem to forget, including five of the back seven back end. Texas A&M will miss Demontre Moore and has to find somebody to replace those 20 TFL and 12.5 sacks. Can Texas A&M replace three starters in the secondary and prepare them properly in time for the showdown against Alabama?
Prediction: Nine or ten wins for Texas A&M seems right assuming Manziel is eligible all season. I think people forget that TAMU had a pretty solid defense last year. They will struggle to start. But that offense, with Heisman winner Manziel leading them, will most likely have a big year and keep them in every game.
5. LSU
Positives: A DECENT QUARTERBACK!!!!!!! Zach Mettenberg isn't a star, but he has shown he's capable of being a solid QB who can lead an offense, and with new Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron, they should find some sort of consistency. Mettenberg has Jeremy Hill back to go with a great stable in Alfred Blue and Kenny Hilliard. They also return their top three receivers and three offensive linemen. LSU should have no problem scoring points.
Negatives: Losing six of your front seven is going to hurt. LSU has depth, but its inexperienced. Anthony Johnson has to step up and become the best player on that line, but it won't be easy replacing all four starters up front. LSU also needs more consistency from the line backing position, which will be hard with replacing two starters. LSU should be solid in the secondary however. And despite what the talent on paper says, Les Miles has never had a consistent offense.
Prediction: A little bit of a down year for LSU. I think 8-4 for LSU this season, with a chance at nine wins. Cam Cameron has to correct the offensive issues and they must carry the team this year with nine defensive starters lost, and the Les Miles era has basically zero high powered offensive attacks.
6. Florida
Positives: Florida has a very good offensive line, with three starters returning and a very talented transfer from Nebraska in OT Tyler Moor, who will provide depth. Jeff Driskel returns, and he provides a steady dual-threat at the Quarterback position. Floridas secondary might be the best in the SEC, with three starters returning, and a beastly 1-2-3 punch at the CB position with Loucheiz Purifoy and Marcus Robinson, to go with nickel back Cody Riggs. While inexperienced, Matt Jones and Kelvin Taylor provide a very exciting 1-2 punch at the RB spot.
Negatives: The wide receivers just dont have big play ability. Florida is going to have to rely on Demarius Robinson (a true freshman) to be their deep threat, and hes never played a game. The depth is hurting with Andre DeBose out for the year, despite his disappointing career so far. The defense was great last year, but lost a ton. Just one starter returns on the front line, and Florida must completely replace their line backing corps, especially LB Jon Bostic and first round pick DT Shariff Floyd. Ronald Powell does come back as a really good pass rusher, but can he still be highly effective coming off the knee injury?
Prediction: Florida and LSU are almost the same exact team, a team that has to rely on great defense, but has to replace a lot of defense, with uncertainty on offense. However, LSU has a great running back stable and solid wide outs, while UF doesnt at this point. Florida also has a tough out of conference schedule with Florida State and Miami. Florida has a tough schedule, and I see eight wins for the Gators.
7. Ole Miss
Positives: Hugh Freeze has them rolling at Mississippi, with a top ten recruiting class and some talent back with a surprising 2012 winning campaign. They have sixteen starters returning (eight on each side). Bo Wallace returns with Jeff Scott has a potent 1-2 punch in the backfield to go with four returning starters on the offensive line and the three top pass catchers back. Then the defense has both linebackers back and 3/5 of the starting secondary back, along with lots of talent on the defensive line. Oh, did I mention the #1 prospect in the country with Robert Nkemdiche to give them an elite pass rusher?
Negatives: The secondary returns three starters, but sucked in pass defense situations last year. Also, the offensive had a good year, but can Bo Wallace cut down the turnovers and provide more consistency? Seventeen picks will not get it done for the Rebels this year. While Hugh Freeze has done a great job on the recruiting trail, Ole Miss still doesnt have the depth needed to compete for a championship.
Prediction: Seven regular season wins for Ole Miss, which is another solid year for Hugh Freeze with such a tough schedule in the SEC. Ole Miss will have a chance to compete for a SEC title in 2014 if Freeze continues his stellar recruiting.
8. Mississippi State
Positives: Tyler Russell is underrated at the QB position, and Dan Mullen finally found his quarterback to run his system at Starkville. Four starters on the O-Line returns and Mullen finally has some depth to help build consistency on offense. LaDarius Perkins returns with a 1,000 yard season on his belt, and Mullen has recruited some depth on defense, with four starters returning on the front seven that should help shore up the run defense.
Negatives: Mississippi loses basically all of last years receiving options. Is there somebody who can step up? Mississippi was inconsistent on defense and only returns one starter from the secondary. The offense can sputter at times and when the schedule got tough last year, the Bulldogs folded bad.
Prediction: Dan Mullen has done a solid job at Mississippi State, but he has not taken that next step with the Bulldogs, and he has not built up the depth/talent base yet to where MSU can win ten games. A seven win season for the Bulldogs.
9. Arkansas
Positives: They return eight defensive starters, including their entire secondary, and despite his flaws, Former HC Bobby Petrino has created good, quality depth for the Arkansas defense. The defensive line returns three starters who were 19th in the country in rush defense, including big time stud Chris Smith at the defensive end spot, one of the best pass rushers in the South. Despite the lack of experience, Arkansas does have a lot of talent at the playmaking positions. Arkansas does also have the best center in the country with Travis Swanson returning.
Negatives: The offense might take a while to start producing for Bret Bielemas standards. Only two offensive linemen return, and Petrino believed in a quick offensive line to slow down pass rushers. Bielema is the opposite, needing big, strong linemen who can maul people. No experience among the playmaking positions, and the secondary struggled a lot last year. Also, Arkansas has exactly zero proven players at the quarterback position with Tyler Wilson leaving.
Prediction: Im a big fan of Bret Bielema, but hes not a miracle worker. The defense isnt elite and the offense will take a year or more to fix. Arkansas has the talent and coaching staff to get to a bowl game, and I think they can pull out an upset this year. Seven wins for the Hogs.
10. Tennessee
Positives: UT has the best offensive line in the SEC, and has a case for the best in the country with four starters returning and depth behind them, including future star in LT Antonio Richardson. The Vols return their 1-2 running back combination in Marlin Lane and Rajion Neal. While the defense did suck last year, they return eight starters and get Brian Randolph back, who is a playmaker, along with tackling machine A.J. Johnson.
Negatives: The Vols lost their top four pass catchers and the quarterback. You dont replace that production immediately. Tennessee also lacks good defensive depth, especially in the secondary, to be solid in the SEC. The defensive line has a lot of talent and experience, but no true playmakers. Can Jacquez Smith or Dan McCullers be that guy? The Vols also are adjusting to completely new philosophies on offense and defense with new coach Butch Jones, which will take time to get.
Prediction: If the Vols stay healthy, they should get to a bowl game if Butch Jones knows what he is doing, but dont expect an eight or nine win season. UT does have some talent and could pull off an upset, but Tennessee needs to focus on getting to a bowl, and they will. I see seven wins for the Vols.
11. Vanderbilt
Positives: There is actual talent/depth that cant be laughed out of the conference. Four starters on the offensive line return, which should help Vanderbilts anemic offense from last year, especially their run game. Brian Kimbrow and Wesley Tate have talent, and Vandy returns their top three wide outs. The defense has six starters coming back, including three in the secondary.
Negatives: Replacing three starters on the D-Line will be hard, especially at Vandy. Austyn Carta-Samuels has never looked completely comfortable against decent teams, and Jordan Rogers was underrated. Zach Stacey was a legitimate playmaker at running back and will be sorely missed. And the secondary still lacks SEC talent, despite three starters returning. I dont believe Vandy has enough depth on the front seven to compete for sixty minutes in the SEC.
Prediction: Ill give James Franklin and his team a bowl appearance, but the schedule is harder and I think people are sorely underestimating Jordan Rogers and his game managing (only five interceptions last year). The defense has some talent, but inexperience abounds the 2nd and 3rd string. However, this is Vanderbilt, and a bowl game will be a solid year.
12. Auburn
Positives: Say what you want about Gus Malzahn, but he knows his offense. Four starters return on the offensive line and they should be able to play in Malzahns up tempo offensive, especially future star LT Greg Robinson. Malzahn has some talent at the playmaking position, including 1,000 yard rusher Tre Mason. The defense returns six starters on defense and the defensive line has excellent talent with Dee Ford and Angelo Blackson returning to go with five star prospect Carl Lawson at DE.
Negatives: Other than Mason, nobody can make a play in space, but the biggest question is quarterback. Malzahn has two options who can run is offense with Keihl Frazier and Jonathan Wallace, but neither has proven anything at this point. The back seven isnt where it needs to be and Auburn will have problems replacing depth in the secondary and line backing corps.
Prediction: No bowl for Auburn this year. Just not enough offensive firepower and their defense is not where it needs to be. Chizik had nice recruiting rankings, but this isnt an SEC caliber team. Four or five wins for Auburn this year. It will be a long year on the Plains, but Malzahn needs time.
13. Missouri
Positives: James Franklin is a legit playmaker at the quarterback spot, and brings great ability. Four starters on the offensive line return with a lot of talent at the wide out position. The defense also returns six starters including three on the defensive line. Dorial Green-Beckham should be ready to have a big season with his talent.
Negatives: Quite frankly, Gary Pinkel and company dont have SEC talent. They lose Sheldon Richardson at the defensive tackle spot, who was a big time player for them. Kendial Lawrence had 1100 yards and 12 TDs last year, and while Henry Josey returns from a knee injury, they still have little experience in the backfield. The defense still does not have the proper depth to compete every weekend in the SEC.
Prediction: Another season without a bowl for the Tigers. They do not have the horses to compete in the SEC and win six games, let alone eight. If Missouri wants to start winning in the SEC, they must improve the speed of their defense. They do not have that right now.
14. Kentucky
Positives: Im not trying to be mean, but quite frankly not much. Jalen Whitlow and Maxwell Smith both have talent and should put up some good numbers in the Air Raid offense Coach Mark Stoops is installing. Kentucky does return three offensive line starters, including both guards in Zach West and Kevin Mitchell. The defense does return four of their top five linebackers and has some talent on the front four.
Negatives: Kentucky is just depleted by the Joker Phillips era. There are basically zero playmakers on the outside and they lost their starting RB. The defensive secondary just isnt any good AND they lost three starters. Coach Stoops has to find out who the QB is with both having flaws in their game. Kentucky must also find an every down running back, and a legitimate wide out.
Prediction: Coach Mark Stoops is doing a good job and will eventually get this program to .500, but its going to be a few years. I see two wins, MAYBE three on the schedule with some breaks. Kentucky needs to improve its talent base bad.
