How I see the SEC before we start

We sit on the brink of a great 2007 season of SEC football. A season destined to be filled with many great plays made by many great players. There will be runaways and squeakers. We will see blowouts with a message as well as dramatic and intense conclusions. None of that is unexpected in Southeastern Conference football.

There is a clear cut favorite in the league as we attempt to project what will happen in 2007. At SEC Media Days in July, we the media chose LSU to win the conference title. This could be considered a curse if you have anything in your house or on your vehicle that reads, “Geaux Tigers.” The reason; we the media has not correctly identified the eventual SEC Champion while gathered for Media Days since Florida hoisted the trophy in 1995. So much for the so called experts. As a matter of fact, we the media’s pick has not even played in the championship game since that year either. So, you scour through posts on volnation.com, listen to talk radio as I fully advocate, watch the TV pundits and comb the net for as much information as you can digest believing that you know more than the media. Well, that little stat gives credence to that idea.

With that said, here is how I broke down the East and the West while covering the 2007 SEC Media Days.

In the West:

1. LSU – the most talent in the league. A telling year for Myles. Meaning, the Tigers better be this good.
2. Alabama – the Tide will sweat the details and will over-perform.
3. Auburn – Have you seen the Tigers’ SEC road schedule?
4. Arkansas – McFadden will win the Heisman trophy. In fact, I may vote for him as soon as I get my ballot. But, can Casey Dick manage from behind?
5. Ole Miss – Did you seriously put all of your eggs in the BS basket?
6. Mississippi St. – A true gentleman feels the heat.

In the East:

1. Florida – I know, only two starters back on D. There’s no way a team could get back to the Title game with that much turnover..Oh wait. Ohio St. did it last year
2. Tennessee – If the Vols can run block, find consistent disruption from the DT position and discover a playmaker or two at wideout, Tennessee could have a special year. Those ifs are many.
3. Georgia – Georgia could finish anywhere from first to worst in the East.
4. Kentucky – Kentucky is dangerous on offense, but can they stop anyone?
5. South Carolina – The OBC has the talent to compete for the East, but the schedule will keep that from happening in ’07.
6. Vanderbilt – The Dores will finish sixth in the division, but will make their first bowl game since 1982.

Further, LSU will defeat Florida in the SEC Title game earning their chance at the big prize against USC in The Sugar Bowl. Trojans win. But a great run by LSU and another incredible year of watching Southeastern Conference football.

I encourage feedback. E-mail me at primetimesports@wlac.com; keyword PTS.

Back to the message, I make you this promise. We will have fun this year with this column and we will offer opinion without filter as to how I see things. Thanks for reading and thanks for visiting volnation.com.

Brent Dougherty