SEC East: Projecting the Order of Finish (July)
We are in the midst of the SEC Media days, another unofficial kickoff to SEC football. Now that we’ve already taken a look at how the SEC West will finish in three sentences or less, its time we set our eyes on the SEC East.
7. Missouri
Of all the SEC East teams that failed to meet expectations in 2015, Mizzou was the most disappointing. While the transition to Barry Odom should see the Missouri’s defense remain dominant, the offense gave no reason to be excited about the future. Missouri won’t go winless in the SEC East, but they also won’t avoid the cellar.
6. South Carolina
I’m honestly not sure if I believe in the SEC East defenses as much as I doubt the SEC East offenses. South Carolina will be battling for bowl eligibility while their defense will rank in the top 25. I don’t see them being able to score in Muschamp’s debut season, though. That being said, I do think he and Roper make one of the better coaching tandems in the entire SEC.
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5. Vanderbilt
Head Coach Derek Mason is on a short timetable if he wants to remain as a head coach in the SEC East. He made us all believers in his defense after taking over play calling duties last year and seems to believe Kyle Shurmur is the man to get it done at quarterback. I have my doubts, but Vandy’s combination of defense and a decent running game will allow them to avoid the SEC East cellar.
4. Kentucky
This is why the SEC West is viewed as the power division over the SEC East. 4 teams in the SEC East are battling for bowl eligibility and 4th in the division — I think Kentucky gets it done and Stoops buys himself some more time. He has recruited well by Kentucky standards and the team will now be full of upperclassmen that he brought in.
3. Florida
I know Florida won the SEC East last year and got off to an 8-0 start. I also know that Jim McElwain is supposed to be a quarterback guru. I also saw the Gators look absolutely anemic with Treon Harris as a starter and can’t help but have some doubts about the Gators offensive production potential while breaking in a new starter.
2. Georgia
Sometimes a new coach is all that is needed to maximize the potential on a roster. While I think firing a top 15 coach for a coordinator is a huge gamble, now was the time to do it for Georgia. They’ll have a strong running game and a solid defense, which Kirby Smart will know how to guide against a weak SEC East.
must read: Recruiting Roundup: Mississippi State
1. Tennessee
Stop short of putting me on the Tennessee to the College Football Playoff bandwagon. They’ve got the most experienced talent and established coach of the three SEC East teams with realistic chances of winning the division. I think they drop at least two, but that will be enough to win the SEC East.
The SEC East is ripe for the taking by any team in the division. While many view this division as a three horse race, no one was expecting Florida to be a contender for the division last year. Tennessee has the fewest holes so I’m penciling them in as of now. By the time August rolls around, I may change my mind.