SEC Pre-Season Breakdown

Last time, we looked at the ACC, where I picked Virginia Tech to win the conference for the second year in a row.

Now we look to the conference that the ACC has tried to emulate and become, the Southeastern Conference.

Last year, LSU won the conference en route to a National Title win over Ohio State. Will the Bayou Bengals be able to reload and repeat? Or are they simply in a rebuilding year? And what of the rest of the West, and who will be the Beast of the East?

The West
First, let's look in the Western Division, that has seen some coaches pack their suitcases, and move to greener pastures. Arkansas ended the Houston Nutt era, after Nutt resigned (and his top players left as well) and began the Bobby Petrino era, after his traitorous stint with the Atlanta Falcons. Nutt though didn't go far, just a little Southeast to Ole Miss to take over for the failed Ed Orgeron. Even Auburn got into the mix hiring new offensive and defensive coordinators.

Still, constants are abound with Nick Saban at Alabama, Sly Croom at Mississippi State, and Les Miles with LSU.

Two schools that can be counted out are Ole Miss and Arkansas. The Hogs lost Darren McFadden, Felix Jones, Marcus Monk, and a host of other important players, leaving Petrino with guys like wide receiver Reggie Fish, quarterback Casey Dick, and talented running back Michael Smith. Unproven talent at wide receiver like Marques Wade (6'3), London Crawford (6'2).

One bright spot could be tight end D.J. Williams (6'2, 250 lbs) who was the #9 tight end coming out of high school in 2007.

The defense is also young.

Ole Miss is looking a little better with former Texas QB Jevan Snead, and running backs Enrique Davis and Cordera Eason. Outside of that, the Rebels don't have much, but have young talent that Nutt can build around for the future.

Mississippi State will continue to be a defensive team that likes to run the ball. The question is can they find a QB. Josh Riddle looked good at times, but he needs consistency.

Alabama brought in the #1 recruiting class last year, and look for that group to help out, especially at WR with Julio Jones, since QB John Parker Wilson lost comfort zone DJ Hall.

But the division will come down to Tigers: LSU and Auburn. LSU lost a large amount of talent on the defensive side of the ball. Miles now has to prove that he can be successful with his players that he recruits, and not Nick Saban's. Also, the issue of QB is going to hurt LSU since Ryan Perriloux was finally dismissed after multiple encounters with the law.

Auburn has installed the spread offense, and look to be in the best shape with Kodi Burns at QB, and Brad Lester at RB. The defense should be strong again, and more disciplined according to Tommy Tubberville.

East
In the East, the powerhouses (Florida, Georgia, Tennessee) still look to be strong. The Gators return Heisman Golden Boy Tim Tebow at QB, along with wide receivers Percy Harvin, Louis Murphy, Cornelius Ingram, and a bevy of young guys like Deonte Thompson.

And their defense doesn't look to shabby either. Still, the Gators greatest asset is its greatest liability: Tebow. When he is in the game, the Gators are National Title contenders. When he is gone, they are a big question mark. Urban Meyer will try to spell Tebow in the running department with Southern Cal transfer Emmanuel Moody. For his sake, he better hope Moody pans out.

Tennessee is replacing two crucial pieces: QB Erik Ainge and offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe that took his show to Duke. Jonathan Crompton takes over for the offense that will feature Arian Foster. The Vols also will install the West Coast offense, and it will be interesting to see how fast the Vols pick up the schemes.

On defense, they are replacing Jerod Mayo at LB, but still return Rico McCoy and safety Eric Berry.

South Carolina enters the 5th year of the Spurrier era, and are looking for a QB. Tommy Beecher is the starter now, Chris Smelley seems to be having confidence issues, and heralded recruit Stephen Garcia is in limbo. Two freshman, Aramis Hillary and Reid McCallom, will probably RS.

Offensive line is also in question up the middle, but the skill players seem to be strong, headed by receivers Kenny McKinley and Dion Lecorn, running back Mike Davis, and Tight ends Jared Cook and Wes Saunders.

The defense looks to improve under new coordinator Ellis Johnson, and the return of linebacker Jasper Brinkley.

Kentucky will be rebuilding, as they lost quarterback Andre Woodson, running back Raphael Little, receiver Keenan Burton, and tight end Jacob Tamme. The only returning skill guy is Dicky Lyons Jr.

The defense will have to hold on for the offense to catch up. But that won't happen until it is too late.

Vanderbilt, well, they are still Vanderbilt. Coach Bobby Johnson has improved things, but he lost his best wide receiver, and still has no clear cut QB.

Georgia looks to be in the best shape, as they are coming off a Sugar Bowl blowout of Hawaii. QB Matthew Stafford has improved year by year, and now he needs to put it together, but he will need a top receiver. Sean Bailey is gone, and his best options are Mohammed Massaquoi who hasn't turned into that go to guy, and Kenneth Harris. Maybe freshman AJ Green can come in and be that guy: he was the #2 receiver coming out of high school.

But what they don't have at wide receiver, they have running backs. Knoshown Moreno returns, and Caleb King is coming off a redshirt year to give the Dawgs a one-two punch in the backfield.

The line returns, and the defense looks to be fast, tough, and hard nosed as usual.

I predict that Auburn and Georgia will be meeting in Atlanta for the SEC title game, and a shot at the Sugar Bowl, and possible National Title shot, at stake.

I predict the Dawgs to take the SEC, and will meet either Ohio State or Southern Cal in the National Title game (I'm leaning toward Ohio State).

As usual, the SEC season will be a gauntlet, with no gimme games to be found. The SEC is said to be the top dog conference, and they look to prove it. I think three straight national champs out of the conference may prove it (Florida and LSU won the prior two).

East
Georgia
Florida
South Carolina
Tennessee
Kentucky
Vanderbilt

West
Auburn
LSU
Alabama
Miss. State
Ole Miss.
Arkansas

The Lake Report's ALL SEC TEAM
Offense
QB-Matt Stafford (Georgia)
RB-Knoshown Moreno (Georgia)
RB-Anthony Dixon (Miss. State)
WR-Percy Harvin (Florida)
OL-Andre Smith (Bama)
OL-Anthony Parker (Tenn.)
OL-Antoine Caldwell (Bama)
OL-Herman Johnson (LSU)
OL-Ciron Black (LSU)
TE-Cornelius Ingram (Florida)
WR-Kenny McKinley (South Carolina)
WR-Brandon Lafell (LSU)

Defense
DL-Jeremy Jarmon (Kentucky)
DL-Geno Atkins (Georgia)
DL-Tyson Jackson (LSU)
DL-Greg Hardy (Ole Miss)
LB-Brandon Spikes (Florida)
LB-Jasper Brinkley (South Carolina)
LB-Rico McCoy (Tenn.)
DB-Derrick Pegues (Miss. St.)
DB-Emmanuel Cook (South Carolina)
DB-Eric Berry (Tenn.)
DB-Captain Munnerlyn (South Carolina)