Is the SEC down this year or just that strong?

[KoachKrab127]

Just watching Ole Miss whoop up on LSU right now, and I don't know if any SEC team (other than Bama) belongs in the top 15 this year.

Or, are all the teams really just that good?

EDIT: And as I type this, Ole Miss gets a FG blocked which would've virtually put the game away. Maybe LSU can still pull it off.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

I think Alabama is still the best team in the league, but there are a ton of decent to really good teams under them. Honestly other than Kentucky, I think everyone else is at least decent.

Georgia and Florida are just beat up, and Auburn and Missouri are clearly better (Mizzou even without Franklin). We're better as well. Vandy is actually a bit worse yet they'll still probably make a bowl game. You could see 10 SEC teams bowl eligible.

 

[govols120]

I think it might be slightly down, but this is the most fun SEC football has been in a while. I'm loving it.

 

[LSU-SIU]

SEC is not as strong especially on D, parity in the league is due to juniors and 3 year sophomores leaving for the NFL early as with the collective bargain agreement, there is little incentive for a player to stay.

Bo played a good game.

 

[Rockytop1018]

Well, the playing field is more equal this year, but some teams and units have regressed for sure.

LSU is down defensively.

Texas A&M's defense gives the 2012 Vols defense a run for their money in terms of who sucks more.

UGA has had some bad luck with the injury bug.

South Carolina was overhyped in the first place.

Florida is woefully inept on offense.

I love what Butch is doing for Tennessee.

 

[LSU-SIU]

Rockytop that is because of this
2013 NFL Draft underclassmen tracker - NFL.com

I mean just for LSU the following were/could have been eligible to play this year, and plenty of other SEC teams got hurt as well.

Eric Reid (49ers)
Simon (Seahawks)
Mathieu (Cardinals) - Been gone 2 years, would have been eligible
Brokers (Rams) - Been gone 2 years, would have been eligible to play this year
Logan (Eagles)
Montgomery (Texans)
Mingo (Browns)
Minter (Cardinals)
Ford (Bears)
Ware (Seahawks)
Wing (Eagles) cut
Faulk (Browns) IR

The vols were hurt more than normal as well. The days of SEC dominance may be slowing down as there is no reason under the new contract for players to stay in college.

I am expecting the following underclassmen to declare this year.
- Hill
- Johnson
- Ego
- Landry
- Beckham
- Possible Hillard but one is on the edge
- Collins
- Possible Rasco

Basically almost no seniors again next year, you don't win with true freshman and sophomores across the board.

 

[Rockytop1018]

Rockytop that is because of this
2013 NFL Draft underclassmen tracker - NFL.com

I mean just for LSU the following were/could have been eligible to play this year, and plenty of other SEC teams got hurt as well.

Eric Reid (49ers)
Simon (Seahawks)
Mathieu (Cardinals) - Been gone 2 years, would have been eligible
Brokers (Rams) - Been gone 2 years, would have been eligible to play this year
Logan (Eagles)
Montgomery (Texans)
Mingo (Browns)
Minter (Cardinals)
Ford (Bears)
Ware (Seahawks)
Wing (Eagles) cut
Faulk (Browns) IR

The vols were hurt more than normal as well. The days of SEC dominance may be slowing down as there is no reason under the new contract for players to stay in college.

You're right there. LSU was decimated in terms of depth thanks to departures. Your statement about the good players leaving earlier is true as well.

 

[LSU-SIU]

You're right there. LSU was decimated in terms of depth thanks to departures. Your statement about the good players leaving earlier is true as well.

By next year, the few seniors LSU would have next year will basically be gone. The days of SEC being dominant is coming to end just due to pure simple lack of junior and senior guys... and in the SEC redshirting is coming to an end because of this.... but not for the other conferences.

 

[vols4evah]

I think this is a sign that the SEC is getting better again and back to normal instead of being top heavy like the last few years. Teams that have been down are coming back and its good for the SEC and CFB.