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SEC football: Way-too-early 2020 East predictions

By Ty Butler

MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 30: Head Coach Dan Mullen of the Florida Gators raises the Orange Bowl Trophy after winning the Capital One Orange Bowl against the Virginia Cavaliers at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 30: Head Coach Dan Mullen of the Florida Gators raises the Orange Bowl Trophy after winning the Capital One Orange Bowl against the Virginia Cavaliers at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBIA, SC – SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Will Muschamp of the South Carolina Gamecocks looks down during a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC – SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Will Muschamp of the South Carolina Gamecocks looks down during a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

. 5th. player. 850. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Will Muschamp. South Carolina Gamecocks

Here we go again. Another season that screams desperation for Will Muschamp. Another year that will be plagued by hot-seat rumors. And yet another season that will not live up to South Carolina football’s expectations.

Muschamp will be limping into 2020 after escaping termination last year by beating the Bulldogs in Athens. Granted, the team had one of the toughest schedules in all of college football, but losses to North Carolina and App State completely undermine the argument.

And the loss of do-it-all receiver Bryan Edwards, certainly won’t help Muschamp persuade anyone that next season will be anything to look forward to.

Nonetheless, there’s really nowhere to go but up after a 4-8 year in 2019, and the experience of quarterback Ryan Hilinski should do the Gamecocks some favors.

I guess the true question is, when will Carolina finally come to terms with the fact that Muschamp just isn’t it? Who knows, we may be in store for a breakout year for the Gamecocks, but I really doubt it.

Fifth in the SEC East will only get you so far.

Projection: 5-7, (2-6 SEC)

833. Scouting Report. Mark Stoops. Kentucky Wildcats. 4th. Pick Analysis. . player

The Mark Stoops project has turned into a major success for Kentucky football. He’s the third longest tenured head coach in Kentucky history and over the last two seasons, Stoops has tallied an 18-8 record while navigating through a tough SEC schedule.

Even though the Wildcats took a step back last year after a spectacular 2018 season, Stoops proved that Kentucky would continue to be a well-prepared football team that had the chance to win each and every game.

I’m sure that Stoops is thrilled to have an actual quarterback playing the quarterback position in 2020, but we shouldn’t expect much to change. Kentucky will continue to be a tough game as long as Stoops remains their coach.

Terry Wilson will be returning after missing most of the 2019 year due to injury and the offensive line unit will continue to be one of the best in the nation.

Some would argue that fourth is too high, but a loss to Tennessee football in Knoxville should be enough to keep Kentucky out of the top three teams in the East.

Projection: 8-4, (4-4 SEC)

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