2008 SEC Conference Predictions
Written June 21, 2008 by Jason Lowry
If you keep up with NCAA football, then you know that the SEC is one of the best, if not the best conference in the country. Rarely do you find an easy game in conference play, and if you don’t capitalize on it when you do, you are only shooting yourself in the foot. With the football season right around the corner Jason Lowry is ready to make his 2008 SEC Conference Predictions.
SEC EAST
1) Florida Gators
While many people around the country are already counting Georgia as the top dog in the SEC, we got news for ya, the Gators are a legit team and we think secure up the East with a win over Georgia on Nov. 1.
2) Georgia Bulldogs
This team might be the best team in the country that won’t win a conference title this season. There is a good chance you can see a repeat of last season, with the Bulldogs missing out on the National Title but still playing in a BCS bowl game.
3) Tennessee Volunteers
The East is loaded at the top with Georgia and Florida, but don’t forget about Tennessee as they are your defending champions of the SEC East. If the team can find an answer at quarterback don’t count another big season here.
3) South Carolina Gamecocks
We got the Gamecocks right with Tenn. this season, as we think both will finish tied behind the two powerhouses. Steve Spurrier is starting to see things move towards the good, and with 10 returning starters on defense, who knows what magic he can work.
5) Kentucky Wildcats
While 5th doesn’t always look so good, it doesn’t mean near as bad in the SEC. The Wildcats will still be a solid football team, but try finding many schools in other conferences that could jump in and compete in this conference.
6) Vanderbilt Commodores
The Commodores will likely take up last in the East once again, as they have way to many holes to compete in this conference. The team has 5 new starters on the offensive line, which is reason enough to pick them 6th.
SEC WEST
1) Auburn Tigers
We are picking the Auburn Tigers to take advantage of a slight down year from LSU and sneak back in the top spot of the SEC West. Plus they get LSU, Tenn, and Georgia all at home, and likely won’t play Florida till the SEC title game.
2) LSU Tigers
Coming off a National Championship win over Ohio State, the Tigers lost a lot of talent off a great team last year. Though they recruit well and have great depth we got them only winning around 9 games this season.
3) Alabama Crimson Tide
Its only a matter of time before head coach Nick Saban has this team fighting for first in the SEC West, but we like what we see out of this team in 2008. If anyone is going to be a surprise team we think its the Crimson Tide.
4) Mississippi Rebels
The team does return 16 starters from last year, but that team went 3-9 and 0-8 in the SEC West. So picking them to finish 4th is saying a lot about how much we think this team will improve this season. Look for the defense to carry this team to a solid season and their first bowl game since 2003.
5) Arkansas Razorbacks
Even though they only return 11 starters from last year’s team, and have to deal with the losses of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, we feel like they got what it takes to at least compete in games this season. Don’t expect another 8 win season from this team, we are thinking somewhere around 6-6 sounds about right.
6) Mississippi State Bulldogs
Though this team may very well be much better than 6th in the SEC West, we just don’t think they will have the offensive numbers to compete in this conference. We feel like they could put together 5 wins thanks to their non-conference schedule, but who knows we have been wrong before.
We got Florida beating Auburn in what is always a tough SEC Title game, and possibly moving on for another National Title shot. If you are looking to get ready for the upcoming season head over to Sportsbook.com and get an account going today. Also be sure to check back as Jason Lowry will continue making his 2008 NCAA football predictions.