Who will be the most improved team in the SEC in 2008?

[zartan]

i know it's really way too early for this kind of thing, but i'm bored...

can you see any team improving on their 2007 record by three or more wins? do you think it will happen in both divisions? can you see any teams having 3 more losses than they had in 2007?

here are the 2007 standings (from ESPN.com)

SEC Standings
EAST CONF. W-L OVERALL W-L
Georgia 6-2 11-2
Tennessee 6-2 10-4
Florida 5-3 9-4
Kentucky 3-5 8-5
South Carolina 3-5 6-6
Vanderbilt 2-6 5-7
WEST CONF. W-L OVERALL W-L
LSU 6-2 12-2
Auburn 5-3 9-4
Arkansas 4-4 8-5
Mississippi State 4-4 8-5
Alabama 4-4 7-6
Mississippi 0-8 3-9

as for me, i could see either the Barn or Bama on the rise. the most likely to fall would be UK or the Vols, if everything goes wrong.

[SaveCol.Reb]

I don't know about most improved, but Ole Miss has no where to go but up. I think next year will be a better year for us.

I think Auburn and Bama will be big time in the west, and I think UGA and FL will be big time in the east. Mississippi State and Kentucky will show us if they have any staying power, or if their seasons were flukes. I keep on expecting South Carolina to be big threat, it just hasn't happened yet.

...my two cents.

[GatorBait15]

I say Barn or UF.

[Emilio7]

If the QB situation in Tennessee works itself out. I could see the Vols being somewhat of a dark horse in the East. With Georgia/Florida being the juggernauts of the East.

In the west, I see Auburn coming up and Miss State building on this season.

[Gator2753]

IMO It will be Alabama from the west and South Carolina from the east.

[Emilio7]

IMO It will be Alabama from the west and South Carolina from the east.

I see Alabama being about the same ( I want to see John Parker Wilson cry some more :thumpsup:)

[Gator2753]

I see Alabama being about the same ( I want to see John Parker Wilson cry some more :thumpsup:)

lol Well I'm not saying they will be contenders but I don't think a 9-3 season is totally out of the question for them.

What do you think about Carolina?
I think 8-4 will be the worst that Spurrier could do and thats a big step up from 6-6

[lacene]

I think USC should have the most improvement in 2008. Truly, I feel we killed ourselves last season with poor effort and turnovers. There were 4 SEC games that we had a strong chance to win last season (3 of them SEC East games), where mental lapses and turnovers led to the Gamecocks being in big holes early in the games. I have a low tolerance for miscues such as these.

For the 3rd season in a row, our OL's blocking will be a critical area on how our offense, and team overall, plays. There's no more excuses for them: they will be able to return a relatively intact starting unit (minus the center), and they will consist of seniors, juniors, and RS sophomores, so if they don't perform in 2008, kill the coach. We will have enough experience at QB to be competitive, and will field a great mixture of experience and talent at the RB, WR, and TE positions to expect improvements there.

Our defense, despite it's flaws in the run D, return a sizable list of former, current and pre-season All SEC players. The most consistent issues our coaches harped on about their deficiencies last season was their tackling fundamentals. We now have a DC who's built his resumé on teaching and preaching these fundamentals, so certainly there should be some improvements there. If so, I expect USC to have a top-5 SEC defense for 2008. Our special teams should also see greatly improved fundamentals, which was a major issue with them.

[Emilio7]

I think USC should have the most improvement in 2008. Truly, I feel we killed ourselves last season with poor effort and turnovers. There were 4 SEC games that we had a strong chance to win last season (3 of them SEC East games), where mental lapses and turnovers led to the Gamecocks being in big holes early in the games. I have a low tolerance for miscues such as these.

For the 3rd season in a row, our OL's blocking will be a critical area on how our offense, and team overall, plays. There's no more excuses for them: they will be able to return a relatively intact starting unit (minus the center), and they will consist of seniors, juniors, and RS sophomores, so if they don't perform in 2008, kill the coach. We will have enough experience at QB to be competitive, and will field a great mixture of experience and talent at the RB, WR, and TE positions to expect improvements there.

Our defense, despite it's flaws in the run D, return a sizable list of former, current and pre-season All SEC players. The most consistent issues our coaches harped on about their deficiencies last season was their tackling fundamentals. We now have a DC who's built his resumé on teaching and preaching these fundamentals, so certainly there should be some improvements there. If so, I expect USC to have a top-5 SEC defense for 2008. Our special teams should also see greatly improved fundamentals, which was a major issue with them.

I see USC falling somewhere in the middle of the SEC East. Y'all proved that you can hang with Georgia and that in itself says something.

[Tennessee Ted]

I would have to say Alabama would be the most improved. Although the recruiting class coming in will only be freshman obviously, I am sure a couple of them will start to make contributions.

[JerryBeeds]

I think we could only win a game or two more than we won last year and still be much improved. Our road schedule last was brutal.

[BamaDude06]

I see Alabama being about the same ( I want to see John Parker Wilson cry some more :thumpsup:)

You got him confused with Tebow.

I want to see John Parker Wilson light LSU up like a Christmas tree. Oh wait, its been done. Twice. :whistle:

[nellanaesp]

Carolina in the East and Bama in the West. I see Carolina getting 9 or 10 wins next year, including a bowl win. I think the fall behind Georgia and Florida, however. Alabama will fall behind Auburn next year, and LSU will be somewhere up there as well (I'm not sure how many people they're giving up to the Draft).

[WDavE]

If we're talking overall my choice would be USC. If we isolate down to one side or the other of the ball. I will go with Auburn and offense.
I think Bama will be improved but their schedule may not allow it to show. They have an "AT " problem next year. At Tenn. UGA, LSU and Clemson on a neutral field.

[JerryBeeds]

I think Bama will be improved but their schedule may not allow it to show. They have an "AT " problem next year. At Tenn. UGA, LSU and Clemson on a neutral field.

That is the exact same problem we had last year. At UGA, LSU, UT, and Arkie. No surprise that we only went 1-3 in those games.

[M2J]

I think USC in the East will be in the mix as a sleeper. Their defense should be quite strong IMO with good talent coming back. I actually think it was pretty good this year save a terrible finish. And I trust Spurrier to fix an offense more than maybe any coach in the nation, especially with 2 talented QBs.

In the West its Bama. "Their D was good this season and most of it is returning, should get some depth next year, hopefully resulting in a top 20 D. And I even get on JP a lot, but there's no denying that when things are comfortable for him as far as teammates doing their jobs he's a top SEC QB and you've gotta love having a Senior QB with his expirience. The OL is experienced and talented next season, which should help JP out a lot and give us a strong running game, thus helping JP.I think the freshmen and some of the RS from 07 will help the team a decent bit And there's stability with our coaching staff.

[WarEagle73]

OK. Here comes my completely homer vote on this. I'll say Auburn. but before you dismiss this just another homer post lets look at what this team did this year in going 9-4 with one of the worst offensive attacks in the nation. With any offensive improvement coming from implementing the spread Auburn should be in the hunt for Atlanta. The key to this will be the quarterback. It will more than likely be Kodi Burns but we need to see how our incoming QB's will look first. One advantage Kodi or whomever will have is a veteran offensive line and running game. Also, in the Chick-fil-A Bowl our much maligned WR corps showed they can be productive. Our defense should not miss a beat even with the departure of such weapons as Josh Thompson & Pat Sims. This is due to the plethora of talented and experienced depth Auburn enjoys on the defensive side of the ball.


I am not making any bold predictions like we're going to win this or that. But, what I am saying is that the pieces are falling into place for this team to once again rise to the pinnacle of the SEC. Even with all these pieces it still won't be easy nor is our sucess preordained. Teams such as Georgia & Florida have talent of the same caliber and are young just like Auburn. LSU is still loaded and teams such as Alabama & Mississippi State seem to be on the rebound after long periods of being in the doldrums. Either way it will be fun to see how it all works out in 08. :thumpsup:

[shk999]

I think it will be Bama....homer, I know. I dont think we will win the SEC but I do think we will be more of a solid team next year. I saw alot of great individual efforts from the Tide this year but very rarely saw them play as a team. Im not much on predictions so I guess we will have to wait and see. If nothing else, I want to beat the teams we are supposed to next year and maybe pull off a couple we arent.

I also think USC may finally have thier day in the sun and Miss St could turn some heads as well. As for Auburn, even though the record doesnt show it, they were a very good team this year. Even though they are losing some great players from the defense, anythings possible, especially since they are getting such good play from a very young O-Line.

Man, how long is it until football season???? :laugh:

[GeauxTo]

For 2008, the most improvement will likely come as follows...

WEST

Ole Miss
Arkansas
AlabamaEAST

Tennessee
South Carolina
Florida
The Benchmarks in each Division:

WEST

LSU
EAST

Georgia
The Oh-So-Close-Wannabees in each Division:

WEST

AuburnEAST

Florida

[M2J]

I think it will be Bama....homer, I know. I dont think we will win the SEC but I do think we will be more of a solid team next year. I saw alot of great individual efforts from the Tide this year but very rarely saw them play as a team. Im not much on predictions so I guess we will have to wait and see. If nothing else, I want to beat the teams we are supposed to next year and maybe pull off a couple we arent.

I also think USC may finally have thier day in the sun and Miss St could turn some heads as well. As for Auburn, even though the record doesnt show it, they were a very good team this year. Even though they are losing some great players from the defense, anythings possible, especially since they are getting such good play from a very young O-Line.

Man, how long is it until football season???? :laugh:


Agreed on all counts.

As for Bama there were a lot of positives to take from this year, a lot. A few less mistakes or key turnovers from JP and Bama could've been a 10 win team this year. We won 7 this year, it happened but the LM loss was a fluke and I certainly think we should've beaten MSU and will next season. Like you said, beating teams we're supposed to plus winning a couple of the toss up games would lead to a great season for a rebuilding team.

[Bulldogs16]

miss state will play some tough games on the road next yr.. we play against LSU, Ole Miss, Tenn, and bama, and GT on the road this yr.. i swee us going 3-2 with loses to LSU and a toss between Bama and Tenn.. optimistically i think we can go 4-1.. very capable of beating everything.. but i still think LSU will get us!.. them darn tigers!

how long till bama scores a touchdown on MSU???? haha.. jk with the bama fans.. should be a hard physical game between the two teams next yr! BAMA will be lookin for some revenge!

[volimhtown]

Well, since the bar was set at improving by 3 wins in the win column, the only candidates I see doing that would be South Carolina and Alabama....thanks more to the fact that they both collapsed down the stretch in '07. Not sure that it will be indicative of "the most improved teams of '08", but that's what was outlined. Auburn may be improved, BUT they're NOT winning 12 games next year!!

[MSUBULLY]

miss state will play some tough games on the road next yr.. we play against LSU, Ole Miss, Tenn, and bama, and GT on the road this yr.. i swee us going 3-2 with loses to LSU and a toss between Bama and Tenn.. optimistically i think we can go 4-1.. very capable of beating everything.. but i still think LSU will get us!.. them darn tigers!


I agree with you bulldog. I think overall the most improved team next year may very well be my Dawgs. We get Auburn, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, and Kentucky all at home next year. All four are very winnable games. On the road against our bigger opponents I think at worst we could go 3-2. With the other three cupcakes we scheduled MSU could be looking at a 10-2 season. That's probally a little too optimistic, but hell it's early preseason and I'm stille hyped from this past year. I don't see us slipping any from last year for sure. I think we at least have another 7-5 season, but I'm hoping for the best.

[NiKka]

hard to not say Ole Miss I mean 0-8 in the SEC returning 90% of starters and now has a proven headcoach with schedule not being nearly as tough as 2007's was... with Memphis Wake & Samford for the first 3 to get prepared and ready for SEC, I can see a 7 win season in 2008.
that's realistic
3 maybe 4 SEC wins

[Bulldogs16]

oh defiantly.. 10-2 would be amazing.. but if i was a betting man.. i'd bet agaisnt that.. but 8 wins is more realistic and probably 9.. miss state with some good growning up by carrol and dixion and ducre.. our offense should be way more productive next yr while our defense will still put you on ur a$$. heres to good yrs to be in starkvegas!!!

im assuming your talkin about wake forest.. i think you'll lose that one.. but if were talkina bout improving on wins.. ole miss is probably win that one.. b/c it cant get any worse.. and thats not a crack on ole miss.. im not stupid.. we were in the same position couple yrs ago.. Nutt will get yall in the right direction.. just dont hope for immediate results.. probably not happening!

[azamugg]

THE most improved team next year will undoubtedly be Ole Miss

[NiKka]

Sorry cowbell you're back to 4-8 maybe 5-7 in 2008
Auburn won't get stunned again, no Coach O-8 to blow the game and send you bowling next year.. but thanks for getting him fired anyway!

10-2 is a wayy too optimistic considering what you're losing to graduation
and y'alls 2008 schedule isn't stacked up to your favor like last years.. The loss of Ellis Johnson will show.
just my opinion

I don't see Carroll having the arm to be really effective in the SEC in his tenure I like his mobility and the fact that he doesn't force things like Henig but I'd say Dixon and Ducre are keys to success next year

[NiKka]

I disagree with you, I think that O left some talent for Nutt to have immediate results. We return one of the best receiving corps in the SEC maybe the best with a better arm (Snead) to get it to them, we have 5 receivers that i'm pretty confident could get significant playing time for any SEC team.. All-American Michael Oher and the rest of our offensive line returns which was one of our strengths last season, all of our defense returns.. Greg Hardy is a beast no doubt the best defensive end in the SEC..
I could go into more detail

our holes and/or ?'s would be at RB & LB
We have Cordera Eason a big physical back that has shown promise but hasn't played much due to BJGE & Bruce Hall being NFL bound running backs.
should be ok at LB with our best linebacker Jonathan Cornell returning from a season ending injury in week 2 and Tyrone Nix to coach them up..

[SaveCol.Reb]

I dont care about anybodys record but our own. I think we will be most improved. I'm not saying we're gonna have an amazing record and smoke someone in a bowl, but there is talent in Oxford. Houston Nutt and his staff inherited a lot of quality players and I think that Nutt is good at building an offensive scheme that caters to the players he had. O was not good at that...if he was we would've run the spread all year. Our most productive half of football offensively would have to be the first half against MSU. Guess what? We were running the spread, and then in the second half we went back to the old formation. Nutt is gonna look at what he has and run an offense that caters to the talent we have. As far as defense I really like Tyrone Nix and think he is a great asset. Plus with players like Greg Hardy and (hopefully) Jerrel Powe I feel like the Rebels can at least take a step foward with the "rebuilding" process. Things are looking up for the Rebels. Plus, I never count ourselves out the Egg Bowl. No matter if MSU was number one in the country because it's a rivalry game... likewise I think it would be foolish for MSU to ever count Ole Miss out of showing up for that game.

But my opinion on the rest of the sec is as follows: The winner of the cocktail party will see the winner of the iron bowl in Atlanta next year. Hopefully the winner of that will smoke somebody in BCSNCG!

[geechee]

tUF and SC will definitely be better in the east.

[Bulldogs16]

back to 4-7.. highly doubt it.. we lost titus brown and gabe o'neal on the defensive side.. we still have tremendous talent on the defense and probably the top safety with derek peagues ( sp )... carrol doesnt have to throw bombs.. and plus we have riddel who will be back who put up tremendous numbers in juco.. snead hasnt seen SEC play yet.. so u cant expect to much out of the guy.. but he could be very good... Our line for the most part is coming back and our receivers should be decent if not good!.. i dont see another 4-7 yr.. but anything can happen.. but i honestly ( not being a homer ) dont see ole miss winning more than 5 games!.. i just think ur in to big of a hole!

[nellanaesp]

For 2008, the most improvement will likely come as follows...

WEST

Ole Miss
Arkansas
AlabamaEAST

Tennessee
South Carolina
FloridaThe Benchmarks in each Division:

WEST

LSU
EAST

GeorgiaThe Oh-So-Close-Wannabees in each Division:

WEST

AuburnEAST

Florida

I don't see how Tennessee can fall into the category of most improved. . . They won the SEC East division title last year, there's not that much room for improvement from last years team. Now, if you mean improvement from the beginning of the year to the end of the year, i can see that. I think Tennessee will come out sputtering, lose a couple games, and finally put their offense together during the last few games of the season. I'm looking forward to the UT USC game in columbia.

[NiKka]

you're right we had the personel for the spread last year with Brent Schaeffer and all of our WR's and our Offense really picked up when we ran the spread via LSU and MSU games.. Schaeffer is just as athletic as
Pat White it's a shame his talent was wasted like that.

Coach O was not ready to be a HC he wasn't very good at in-game adjustments he didn't modify his offense to our players strengths he most importantly didn't know how to win see horrible calls made throughout the year particularly going for it on 4th down with 5 minutes and a lead vs MSU

[DEHIII]

BamaPerry, don't worry we will save the bandwith and I will just post the answer for you: Alabama most improved and big disappointments will be Auburn, LSU, and Tennessee. :laugh: :laugh:


On a serious note, I think Alabama will be much improved all over the field. However that QB position, which is the most critical will be a huge question mark for us. I just don't know how JPW will do considering his ups and downs this year.

For the most improved from this past year I am going with Florida. They have a lot of talent on defense, it was just young this year and inexperienced. They grow up a lot this coming year. I think UF will finish in the top 5 next year. The question will be whether they will be above or below UGA, who should also finish in the top 5. They will be the class of the SEC.

[GatorBait15]

I think UF is going to suprise some people next year and will win the east, everyone seems to think we suck now just because of a michigan loss...

Call me BP but UF wins the east next year mark it down.

[NiKka]

back to 4-7.. highly doubt it.. we lost titus brown and gabe o'neal on the defensive side.. we still have tremendous talent on the defense and probably the top safety with derek peagues ( sp )... carrol doesnt have to throw bombs.. and plus we have riddel who will be back who put up tremendous numbers in juco.. snead hasnt seen SEC play yet.. so u cant expect to much out of the guy.. but he could be very good... Our line for the most part is coming back and our receivers should be decent if not good!.. i dont see another 4-7 yr.. but anything can happen.. but i honestly ( not being a homer ) dont see ole miss winning more than 5 games!.. i just think ur in to big of a hole!

I don't see that big of a hole or talent gap honestly, given the horrible coaching from last season the UF, Alabama, and MSU games all were blown with horrendous coaching, most of our starters were Sophs and I really doubt that our defense will be as bad as last years which looked immensely better at the end of the season if the shutting down of Dixon wasn't enough to show and will no doubt improve under Nix..
Snead has looked good at the last spring game and practice, players i've talked has said he is much better than Adams. i'm not too worried about him
he'll do fine even if fine is not excellent I don't expect greatness especially right away..


Who are you returning at WR & TE? Walk-on Jamayel Smith? yall are losing Butler, Burkes, and Long (top 3 receivers) losing 2 starters on O-line
Gabe O'neal and Titus Brown was the top playmakers on defense
Jamar Chaney aswell
Pegues is a good all-sec performer
Riddell has a good arm from what i've seen but this is the SEC
MSU has just as much holes to fill losing a great coach like Ellis Johnson won't help.... Having one 6-6 season (could have very well been 5-7 if not for the dumbest coaching decision ever) doesn't take you to the next level.. especially losing your top playmakers at numerous positions..

that's just in my imo

[GeauxTo]

I don't see how Tennessee can fall into the category of most improved. . .

I think Tennessee might show improvement in that they may be strong from beginning to end next year. With Spurrier's cutting-edge competiveness, USC should have a better year. And, although I don't particularly like saying it, Alabama should have a much better year; as a matter of fact, if they don't, the tarnish on Saban's image will grow like kudzu.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k108/GeauxTo/kudzu.jpg

[volimhtown]

I don't see how Tennessee can fall into the category of most improved. . . They won the SEC East division title last year, there's not that much room for improvement from last years team. Now, if you mean improvement from the beginning of the year to the end of the year, i can see that. I think Tennessee will come out sputtering, lose a couple games, and finally put their offense together during the last few games of the season. I'm looking forward to the UT USC game in columbia.

Yeah...I don't think he was talking about improvement in wins, though!! I mean, the Vols won the East, but there is ALOT of improvement they could/can (hopefully will) make. The Carolina, Kentucky, and even MSU games could have gone either way and we were absolutely drilled by Florida, Bama, and Cal. That's esentially three plays from being 6-6, so....

[M2J]

I think UF is going to suprise some people next year and will win the east, everyone seems to think we suck now just because of a michigan loss...

Call me BP but UF wins the east next year mark it down.

I wouldn't see it as much of a surprise at all

[GatorBait15]

I think the UGA fans are acting like it is there year without a dought they seem to forget about us for some reason? they beat us one time and they forget about us...

Look DDD is already calling for the crystal ball...http://www.sectalk.com/boards/georgia-sports/25590-2008-year-dawg.html

[M2J]

I think Tennessee might show improvement in that they may be strong from beginning to end next year. With Spurrier's cutting-edge competiveness, USC should have a better year. And, although I don't particularly like saying it, Alabama should have a much better year; as a matter of fact, if they don't, the tarnish on Saban's image will grow like kudzu.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k108/GeauxTo/kudzu.jpg

Seems like maybe the last decade or so since Stallings has been gone Bama has a good season every 2 year gap without the stability of a staple head coach.

Since Stallings we had a 2 year gap of bad- average seasons and then won the SEC in 99. Then 00 and 01 were bad-average and then would've repped the SEC West in 02 had it not been for probations. 03 & 04 sucked and won 10 in 05. 06 & 07 was disappointing/sucked... 08? Who knows maybe a big shocker in the SEC, but I'd be happy with 8-9 victories. However I expect the 2 year gap thing to end as 09-10 and onward looks very promising

[Emilio7]

You got him confused with Tebow.

I want to see John Parker Wilson light LSU up like a Christmas tree. Oh wait, its been done. Twice. :whistle:

And when was the last time BAMA beat LSU...oh i'll make it is on you whats Parker's record v.s. LSU.....hmmmmmmm

[M2J]

I think the UGA fans are acting like it is there year without a dought they seem to forget about us for some reason? they beat us one time and they forget about us...

Look DDD is already calling for the crystal ball...http://www.sectalk.com/boards/georgia-sports/25590-2008-year-dawg.html

Hell if I were a UGA fan I'd have expectations that there MNC was theirs. However, that division and this conference in a whole is so damn tough, and so is their schedule, anything can happen. And in a game between the Gators/Dawgs I wouldn't bet any money on it. Flrorida's O is probably gonna be better than any in the SEC, and their D should be much improved and able to stop big plays (still maybe 2 years away from being dominant though).

[SaveCol.Reb]

My opinion on MSU is that next year will say if ya'll have rounded the corner or not. I think your schedule is harder and I think that losing Ellis Johnson is a huge blow to you guys. Ya'll are talented and could very well repeat last season...but you could also choke. We will see next season.

If Ole Miss wins five games that will mean they won a conference game. An improvement? I think so. I'm not saying that it doesn't take time and I'm not saying we won't struggle some next year. We will be improved and it will be a year to build on. We won't know for sure whats going on until the spring game, and even more importantly the kickoff against memphis.

[geechee]

I think the UGA fans are acting like it is there year without a dought they seem to forget about us for some reason? they beat us one time and they forget about us...

Believe me, there are no UGA fans forgetting about y'all.

[M2J]

My opinion on MSU is that next year will say if ya'll have rounded the corner or not. I think your schedule is harder and I think that losing Ellis Johnson is a huge blow to you guys. Ya'll are talented and could very well repeat last season...but you could also choke. We will see next season.

If Ole Miss wins five games that will mean they won a conference game. An improvement? I think so. I'm not saying that it doesn't take time and I'm not saying we won't struggle some next year. We will be improved and it will be a year to build on. We won't know for sure whats going on until the spring game, and even more importantly the kickoff against memphis.

Regarding Miss St, I think being bowl eligible and winning 6-8 games would be a triumph again. People always look at success and think it can only get better, and I think Croom is a tremendous coach and they have a lot of returning talent. But overall they aren't a very talented team. Not his fault with the sanctions that he walked into and are still there. With the level of coaching in the division alone and talent differences to go with it, it will be hard to expect 9-10 wins from that team. They greatly benefitted from Alabama and Auburn's QBs struggling coming into that game, and I don't see it being that bad for either team this year (though it certainly could). But overall I don't think they have the talents to beat some of these teams again, though they should get Ark instead

[azamugg]

honestly as a conference we are fidden to experience "parity" like we never have....whether its here to stay we'll have to wait and see

in the West LSU will be strong, AU same boat as LSU, new qb but alot of talent surrounding him, Alabama will definitely improve but State will equal last yrs success and Ole Miss w/Nutt, Eason and Snead will definitely improve

in the East, we know USCe will improve, Tenn w/a new qb should be strong, UF will be strong, UG will be huge, KY is a question mark but shouldnt plummet, and last but not least Vandy is the ONLY team that I would put money on not bettering their 07' campaign

you gotta spread those wins around somehow, luckily LSU and UF have bought us some credibility and the FAKE10 has lost some credibility, point being I think we can get some 2 loss teams in future NC games w/out a whole lot of pleading from us and bitching from anyone else!

[PuddingTime]

I think Ole Miss will be the most improved for the obvious reasons stated previously. They were close in losses to many teams, they just came out on the short end of the stick. CEO did Nutt a favor and recruited some real talents to Oxford, and now these guys have the benefit of having a coach who knows more about Xs and Os than that they come in boxes of Alphabets cereal.


As far as UK goes...I don't know if we'll surprise or improve. I expect, and I think reasonably so, 6 or 7 wins next year. At some point I'll do an in-depth analysis of what we can look forward to from the Wildcats this coming 2008 season, perhaps shed some more light on why losing Woodson isn't the end of the world for UK.

[MSUBULLY]

Having one 6-6 season (could have very well been 5-7 if not for the dumbest coaching decision ever) doesn't take you to the next level.. especially losing your top playmakers at numerous positions..

that's just in my imo

Just for the record it was 8-5. You can blame what you want to on Coach O, and yes he was dumb, but so are most of your players. They all barely got into college thanks to some questionable grading. And as for Snead, he was 3rd string at Texas right? Well that doesn't speak to well of him since Texas wasn't that good. I'm not worried about him at all.

[azamugg]

Jevon Snead will be a qb equal to a Stafford

[MSUBULLY]

I guess time will tell

[M2J]

Yeah Ole Miss will be a good team, but I'd like to give them 2 years before they're just scary, but I expect them to upset someone next year.

And there will be a lot of parity in the conference, and I think it will relatively last. However, I do think the best in our conference will usually come out clean or come out with 1 blemish. There will be a 2 loss SEC champ here and there, but unless there's another season as awfully crazy as this one, I don't see our 2 loss champ going to the NC game. I don't think that there will be a time again or atleast very rare where the champs of the other BCS conferences will also have 2 losses. There's no way the voters/computers places a 2 win SEC team over a 1 loss or undefeated BCS conference team. And you don't have to tell me whether we deserve it or not, ofcourse we'd still be at them.

[Dmldawg782]

No UGA fan is forgetting about UF. Come on, that's insane. We have a shot just like UF and a lot of other teams. Our schedule is too brutal for some to be talking junk. It will be fun to watch some of those games for sure.

[WDavE]

I keep hearing that Applewhite will be leaving.... That will hurt Bama if true...

[TDArkansasOhmy]

i know it's really way too early for this kind of thing, but i'm bored...

can you see any team improving on their 2007 record by three or more wins? do you think it will happen in both divisions? can you see any teams having 3 more losses than they had in 2007?

here are the 2007 standings (from ESPN.com)

SEC Standings
EAST CONF. W-L OVERALL W-L
Georgia 6-2 11-2
Tennessee 6-2 10-4
Florida 5-3 9-4
Kentucky 3-5 8-5
South Carolina 3-5 6-6
Vanderbilt 2-6 5-7
WEST CONF. W-L OVERALL W-L
LSU 6-2 12-2
Auburn 5-3 9-4
Arkansas 4-4 8-5
Mississippi State 4-4 8-5
Alabama 4-4 7-6
Mississippi 0-8 3-9

as for me, i could see either the Barn or Bama on the rise. the most likely to fall would be UK or the Vols, if everything goes wrong.

Loaded question. Improving three wins is a lot of W's in the conference. Unless you are at the bottom like Vanderbilt and Ole Miss finish in 07.
I can't see Ole Miss improving a hell of a lot, with all the problems they seem to be having with classroom issues. ANd Vandy dodn't show a whole hellva lot with the way they finished.
I would say a team that will take huge steps to contend for a trip to Atlanta will be Auburn. With a new look at offense, this could be a fun year for the Auburn maniacs.

[shk999]

I keep hearing that Applewhite will be leaving.... That will hurt Bama if true...

How? You guys just replaced your OC and soon will replace your DC. Will that hurt AU?

[MSUBULLY]

Of course it won't hurt them shk999. They're Auburn.

[GetEmGamecocks]

Definately USC. A new DC and ST coach will help take us from last year's 6-6 crap to a minimum 8 or 9 win season.

[WDavE]

How? You guys just replaced your OC and soon will replace your DC. Will that hurt AU?

Our new OC can't be any worse then what we had. DC is still to be determined. I will vote after the new one is announced.


I am a homer but not blind...... Of course I'm also lying about Applewhite...

Scout.com: REPORTS:Major Contacted,Expected to Interview (http://texas.scout.com/2/720014.html)

And Wow! Smack talk from a MSU fan... Haven't heard any of that this decade...

[GatorBait15]

Our new OC can't be any worse then what we had. DC is still to be determined. I will vote after the new one is announced.


I am a homer but my name isn't BamaPerry...... Of course I'm also lying about Applewhite...

Scout.com: REPORTS:Major Contacted,Expected to Interview (http://texas.scout.com/2/720014.html)

:laugh::thumpsup:

[shk999]

Our new OC can't be any worse then what we had. DC is still to be determined. I will vote after the new one is announced.


I am a homer but not blind...... Of course I'm also lying about Applewhite...

Scout.com: REPORTS:Major Contacted,Expected to Interview (http://texas.scout.com/2/720014.html)


Why you gotta be like that Dave? I asked a legit question and yeah, I've heard about Applewhite's interview. Did I even let on like you were lying?
:ohbfrank:

As for your new OC being an improvement, the jury's still out on that one.

[shk999]

And Wow! Smack talk from a MSU fan... Haven't heard any of that this decade...

I'd say they've earned it.

[CarolinaGrad07]

If the QB situation in Tennessee works itself out. I could see the Vols being somewhat of a dark horse in the East. With Georgia/Florida being the juggernauts of the East.

In the west, I see Auburn coming up and Miss State building on this season.


Tennesse went to the SEC championship game.......so i am assuming you are predicting them to do better than that??? After losing cutcliffe???:closedeye

[Neyland's Ghost]

hard to not say Ole Miss I mean 0-8 in the SEC returning 90% of starters and now has a proven headcoach with schedule not being nearly as tough as 2007's was... with Memphis Wake & Samford for the first 3 to get prepared and ready for SEC, I can see a 7 win season in 2008.
that's realistic
3 maybe 4 SEC wins

Is it good to return 90% of starters that didn't win a conference game? Something to ponder.

[NiKka]

Jevan Snead got beat out by a redshirt freshman who was also a top prospect coming out of highschool.. Colt McCoy is a good QB he also had a year to learn that offense which obviously gives you a leg up but Jevan Snead is a Rebel now so I could care less
i'm not saying he will be our savior or really great coming out of the gate next year... it might take some time to get in rhythm and back to the speed of SEC play.. but we seen him play in last years spring game and he looked really good... IMO in time he will be a top QB in the SEC, hopefully sooner than later. He is as mobile as Tebow is & he has a big arm..
idk we will see
I can't wait till spring

[Neyland's Ghost]

I hope he doesn't turn out to be another Brent Schaeffer for yall's sake.

[NiKka]

Is it good to return 90% of starters that didn't win a conference game? Something to ponder.

When the majority of them were Sophs with a few Freshman and Juniors
I suppose it is

There is talent there no doubt.. UT will find out when they come to Oxford
it will be no cake walk

[GatorBait15]

Ole miss wins the West and Vandy wins the East ok I said it, glad I got that off my back wooo...:mellow:

[NiKka]

I hope he doesn't turn out to be another Brent Schaeffer for yall's sake.

big difference here... BS showed up with little time to practice no one knew what we was gonna get or how he'd turn out.
Snead has been here and we have seen him, the players think he is really good and are confident in him we'll just have to see how it turns out

[gatorunvrsty]

I see Ole Miss improving the most. They could realistically improve by 4 or 5 games. Most of the other teams don't have room to improve by that many games. I won't say Nutt is a great coach; but he is a proven winner, and should have a serious and immediate positive impact on the program. The next most significant improvement should be by USC, with Spurrier finally building his ideal QB in the offseason; and a new DC making a stout defense.

[BamaDude06]

Ole Miss really has no where to go but up. On the flip side, I think Arkansas will slip with all the guys they lose and the schedule they play.

[nellanaesp]

Ole Miss really has no where to go but up. On the flip side, I think Arkansas will slip with all the guys they lose and the schedule they play.
well they could alway go to an 0-12 season like USC did back in like '99 or w/e . . . I would not like to see that in the SEC though.

[WDavE]

I'd say they've earned it.

I just thought the original Bulldog comment was kind of arrogant from a fan of a team that has been until recently Mr. Doormat. They did beat us this year but we turned the ball over five times and our starting QB was 4-10 for 42 yards with two interceptions. Yet, they beat us by just 7. I would be willing to bet they don't get that same number of gifts this year. They still may beat us at home but they better score more with less help to do so.:ohmy:

Just for the record: I have nothing but respect for Croom and what he is trying to do. I even have family with degrees from MSU.

[MSUBULLY]

Score more with less help? Explain how we have less help.

[lacene]

Score more with less help? Explain how we have less help.

Well, for one, Brandon Cox is graduating....

:thumpsup:

[MSUBULLY]

Codi Burns didn't score on us either last year.

[lacene]

Codi Burns didn't score on us either last year.

No, but Kodi Burns did.....

[MSUBULLY]

No, Burns had several rushing yards but no TDs. He also fumbled once.

[AUcarlton]

No, Burns had several rushing yards but no TDs. He also fumbled once.

The Auburn University Official Athletic Site - Football (http://auburntigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2007-2008/au03.html#GAME.SUM) take a look at score summary :ph34r:

[lacene]

No, Burns had several rushing yards but no TDs. He also fumbled once.

The Auburn University Official Athletic Site - Football (http://auburntigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2007-2008/au03.html#GAME.SUM) take a look at score summary :ph34r:

No, don't use those stats, AUcarlton, BULLY will just say that they were edited by the AU SID, where he erased Codi Burns' stats from the stat sheet. Hell, Codi Burns doesn't even show as playing in the game, from your stats.

Use these, instead:

Miss St. Athletics - Mississippi State vs Auburn (Sep 15, 2007) (http://www.mstateathletics.com/fls/16800/stats/fb/2007/ms0915.htm?SPSID=90890&SPID=10997&DB_OEM_ID=16800)

[M2J]

Its a damn conspiracy. Its obvious AU fans hacked into MSU site. Burns couldn't have scored, just couldn't.

[AUcarlton]

haha enough proof yet BULLY??

[TDArkansasOhmy]

Codi Burns didn't score on us either last year.

And Kodi Burns didn't have Tony Franklin as his offensive coordinator either.

[BAMA NATE]

Even though Bama will improve...Ole Miss will make a more drastic improvement in the West as they should be bowl eligible at the conclusion of '08. Bama's road schedule is brutal and that opener with Clemson was a idiotic move in my opinion. If we happen to win it will set the tone for what would probably end up a pretty good season but the odds are against that. However, if we win the games we should win a slip up by AU or LSU could get us dangerously close to Atlanta but we have got to stop with these pathetic November blues. Kicking some serious Croom a$$ will be a good place to start and this is probably the season Bama takes down LSU. Just a hunch right now but it just feels right. I will reserve my judgement on the AU game. It will be interesting to see just how far Tony Franklin and Kodi Burns come from actually meeting these inflated expectations.

[The Ramp]

i think we improve and go undefeated


lol...ummmm...auburn and tenn (not really that improved seeing they won the east)

[the Prodigy]

If recruiting rankings are of any merit.... bama should have a much improved season over last year.... phhhhshhh losing to UL- Monroe...

[GatorBait15]

If recruiting rankings are of any merit.... bama should have a much improved season over last year.... phhhhshhh losing to UL- Monroe...


Any SEC team is hard to beat dude...

http://www.sectalk.com/boards/sec-football-talk/25602-espn-says-louisiana-monroe-has-joined-sec.html

[MSUBULLY]

haha enough proof yet BULLY??

So sorry, my memory ain't what it used to be. Too many beers in my lifetime. Way to do your homework though. I guess I was just too lazy to do it.

[AUcarlton]

So sorry, my memory ain't what it used to be. Too many beers in my lifetime. Way to do your homework though. I guess I was just too lazy to do it.

meh, it was only a 1 yard run anyways. if it was a 40 yard TD run by burns i think you would have remembered.:happy: