SEC Preview

And remember, for the award winning CFFL^.com College Fantasy Football Draft Guide, stop by the bookstore.

For All-SEC Fantasy Team:  GO

For more on these teams, see the 2000 Fantasy Info below.

For SEC schedule in 2000: GO   |   For 2000 All-SEC Fantasy Team:  GO

Team Breakdowns:

Alabama | Arkansas | Auburn | Florida | Georgia |  Kentucky  |  LSU  

Ole Miss  |  Mississippi State  | South Carolina | Tennessee  |  Vanderbilt

SEC in 2000

Another year, another prognostication about the better teams in one of the country's better conferences, an attempt to predict who will squeak out games against the other guys.  Yeah, it's tough but someone has to do it.  So here we go.

Vandy is much better, Mississippi State isn't;  the Vols shouldn't improve much, South Carolina should;  Ole Miss should be very good, the now Saban-led LSU program shouldn't; there is a huge question at UK about the QB situation, there isn't a QB question at all at UGA, where they only wonder how well these guys will live up to their potential; Florida is, well, Florida and they'll be a challenger for the SEC again; ditto for Bama; Arkansas slips a bit, and Auburn climbs a bit.  That about does it.

To see why we say these things, read on.

.

 Alabama Crimson Tide

The Tide lost Heisman candidate Shaun Alexander at RB and OL Chris Samuels to the NFl, in the first round.  Not bad for recruiting, eh?  But the offense is hard hit by it and should stumble a bit, right?  Problem is, they return just about everyone else.  On defense, too, the returning starters are huge, and this team looks primed and ready for a repeat of last season's 7-1 SEC record (at least) and NC contention. 

Losing Samuels hurt, but you couldn't tell it from looking at this OL.  They're huge, talented, and work well as a unit.  The QB will have time, and the RB holes.  Offense won't be a problem with this force in front of them.  That's good news for the Zow/Watts duo, because they have enough on their minds with this QB controversy still brewing.  Whoever wins out, look for Freddie Milons to be their go-to receiver.  He can do it all, including take the front page for the Alabama Heisman Hunt, version 2000.  They're marketing Milons as much as they did Alexander last year, and you can expect his name to appear on most preseason Heisman polls thanks as much to that as his abilities.  

Defensively the Tide will be a force.  Again, it'll start at the secondary as they return the entire crew and they'll be a year better.  The LB crew is led by standout Rasheed, still young and looking to be the anchor of this front seven for a while.  The line is in good hands with Kenny Smith, and a host of seniors and developing backups to use in a rotating defensive scheme. 

The schedule is kind, and will help them reach for those goals fans and the media are setting for them.  They do travel to UCLA to open the year, which will be tough but a win nonetheless.  Then it's home for an improved Vandy team, but one that can't compete with the Tide yet.  Then Southern Miss comes calling, and while they'll be a much better team than many give them credit for, they wont beat Bama at home.  They'll win the next two SEC games, at Arkansas and home against Holtz and the 'Cocks.  Then it's time to be tested -- Ole Miss and Tennessee.   (No, they don't have to play the two best teams in the East, Florida or Georgia, this year.)  One of these teams will beat them.  (We think it'll be the Rebels.)  They'll win the next three, then get a challenge from Auburn.  It may not be until the SEC title game that they lose their second game, when they'll lose to the Gators or Bulldogs.

To see what we said about 'Bama in the spring, click here:  GO

Arkansas Razorbacks

Well Razorbacks fans get what they've been calling for for a while now when it becomes Cobb time in Arkansas land.  With all the losses to graduation, all that seems to be left from the '99 offense is Cobb and the running game.  They can't hope to throw with as much success as they did last year, with QB Stoerner gone now.  Whoever does get the job of leading the offense at QB (Ed. -- looks like Robby Hampton -- since Gary Brashears recently left the team) they'll have to find WR Boo Williams early and often when they do throw.  This kid will catch them if you get them somewhere in his area, and he'll make the QB look a lot better.  Of course, he'll need time to throw, and Cobb will need blockers, so look for the OL to be the pivotal piece.  They get a couple of starters back (led by G Sandlin) and seem to have the tools to plug into the other positions just fine.

Defense will be a big need area for the Hogs.  The DL returns most of their group, with Garner as the best of the bunch, and the LBs get Caver back to provide a two man anchor for a rebuilding front seven unit.  The secondary is suspect, and should be the focus of opposing offenses.  They'll just have to hope that the offense is strong, so they can pull out a few wins after allowing 20+ points in a few games.

Their schedule isn't all that friendly.  They open with a patsy team and then go on to a brutal Boise State/Bama/Georgia combination.   Then there are a couple of winnable games before going to Auburn and Tennessee, with a visit by Ole Miss in between.  They close with a trip to Starkville and a visit by LSU, both of which they can win.  Look for a 1-0 start, possible 1-3 mark before two wins, then a possible three-game slide.  They can close it out with two wins, to make the season end favorably, though.

To see what we said about the Razorbacks in the spring, click here:  GO

Auburn Tigers 

The Tigers are climbing back from their recent down years, and they get one step closer this season.  they won't contend for the SEC title, but they get a little better and are some defensive talent and away from taking the West.

This offense is going to be impressive, with QB Ben Leard returning after a very good '99 season and having WR Ronney Daniels to throw to.  The RB situation got much better with JUCO transfer Rudi Johnson coming into the fold.  They have a stable of solid backs with Evans and Johnson and the returning FB/RB Owens leading the pack.  They'll get back to running some more this season, after stressing the pass more than many AU fans prefer in '99.  

It was more out of necessity than choice, it seems, since the running game had much to be desired last season and the Leard-to- Daniels connection was working so well.  this year has Daniels getting help from the capable Worthy, and likely the newcomer Green (though that is still a question).  

The big concern for the offense this season seems to be the line.  They return a few of last year's experienced starters, but there were questions after injuries and a good amount of movement among the linemen.  Things seemed to have settled down by the end of spring, and the starting group is set, but depth is a concern.

Defensively the Tigers will be interesting.  They get almost no one back, and that is a problem when your defense was your strength last year.  The secondary is their strong point, with Crayton and Casher at the corners again.  The LB group has Lincoln back, and he'll need to provide guidance and on-field training to the young guys who look to take the rest of the starting jobs.  The DL is all new, and makes it hard to give the front seven any kind of preseason evaluation.  If they perform as well in games as they did in the spring, they'll be fine.  

The schedule allows the Tigers to test their rebuilt defense right away, with a visit from the usually wild Wyoming Cowboys offense.  Then they go to Ole Miss, and can see how that run defense looks when they face the McAllister/Gunn attack.  Then they get a sort of break, with four game swing through LSU/Northern Illinois/Vandy/Mississippi State.  If they come away from this at 4-2, things could get interesting in the SEC West.  They go to Florida next, and then three home games with La Tech, Arkansas and Georgia.  they could be 6-4 here, even 7-3.  Then it's the Bama game to decide matters for the 2000 campaign.  Win it, and they take a huge stride toward reestablishing themselves in the SEC.  All told, we think a 7-4 record would be about right, with 8-3 if they get some Mississippi State-type breaks from last year.

To see what we said about Auburn in the spring, click here:  GO

Florida Gators

These guys just don't seem to ever go away.  They certainly have good reason to drop off, but we don't think they will.  Injuries have hurt the OL; transition at QB will be a question until we get to see a few games out of QB Jesse Palmer; the running by committee approach will be solid, if not spectacular with Graham and Gillespie and Carroll splitting the touches; the receiving crew is a huge question mark, as no one with any real production remains after the stars bolted after the '99 season.  With all this said, it remains the case that the candidates for each starting job are the Gator recruits, those guys that almost everyone else in the country would have loved to have on their team.  So whoever wins the jobs will be among the best in the nation at the position, and the Gators will roll on. Perhaps most importantly the Gators get PK Jeff Chandler back.  When things get tight, they'll take a few points here and there.  It could make the difference in a few SEC battles.

Defensively things are better.  Nine starters return to a defense that was very good last year.  The biggest name this offseason -- in both a positive light, for his talent and potential, and a negative light for his work ethic -- was DE Alex Brown.  He'll be called on to show up every game for Spurrier's team this year, or expect him to get dealt with.  The whole line returns, so he's replaceable now and again so he can get blasted on the sidelines with Steve's spittle.  The LB crew behind Brown and the boys gets Andra Davis back, and he'll be even better than he was last season, where he dominated the middle of the field.  The backfield returns everyone, and Cromartie and Alexander will get their highlight picks and pass defenses again this year. 

The schedule this year has two easy wins to tune up for a trip to Tennessee.  Then three games they should win before meeting up with Auburn and Georgia.  They close with a Vandy game and SC game they'll win, before their battle with FSU.  It could be one of those 1- or 2-loss SEC seasons for UF, if everything comes together.  We don't think they're strong enough to beat the Noles this year, so count on a good 8-3 season at worst.

To see what we said about Florida in the spring, click here:  GO

Georgia Bulldogs

What do you get when you cross 18 returning starters, a Heisman-candidate QB, and a favorable schedule?  Well, it seems you have to expect good things.  And Dogs fans everywhere seem to be doing just that.

QB Quincy Carter has a year of experience to draw from, a few good wins under his belt, and a couple of important losses as well.  He gets much of his '99 offense back, including RB Jasper Sanks, whose job it is to run for TDs when Quincy doesn't want to.  He did a decent job of it last year, and should be expected to be a year better himself.  Carter has the benefit of returning all of his targets at receiver as well.  Terrence Edwards will be a star this season, and we think youngster Durrell Robinson will be as well.  The OL is possibly their strength, with Jennings looking like all-conference material if not more.  These guys will score early and often, and a few more times on to of that.  

The defense has the luxury of playing along with a potent offense that can cover up for some mistakes.  But they may not need it.  They played youth last year, and get ten of their eleven back from '99.  They'll need the returning secondary to improve, after a suspect season last year.  You have to expect teams to throw a lot against a team that should run up the points themselves, and these guys will get most of the pressure.  They get a big help from a front seven that should put good pressure on opposing passers.  The NFL scouts get to watch linemen Stroud and Seymour perform, in what amounts to their 2001 season training camp.  These guys will make life easy for the LBs, who are themselves a pretty talented group.  Look for more big plays out of Bell, and solid run stuffing from Bailey.

The Bulldogs have the benefit of skipping a match up with the Tide this year, and get UT, UF, and Ole Miss at home.  They also get the season finale against tech at home, so they seem to have the scheduling gods on their side.  Road trips to SC, Arkansas, UK and Auburn will be the keys to a successful year.  We think Auburn is the toughest one there, and they'll drop one of the UT/UF/Ole miss trio.  Good thing is, they'll break the jinx of at least one of those two, the Gators or Vols, along with ending the Tech streak at two losses.    

To see what we said about the Bulldogs  in the spring, click here:  GO

Kentucky Wildcats

We have to open the preseason review with a mention of the quarterback situation.  Bonner leads the conference in '99, and his thanks from the coach is a bench seat?  To back up a freshman?  What was he thinking?  Well, we'll find out soon enough.  They start the season with three teams that should be relatively easy to prove the passing game against, before hitting the SEC portion of 2000.

Jared Lorenzen is the new Wildcats signal caller. He joins an offense that returns almost everyone, which is a great way to make your entry into the big time.  Since the whole OL comes back, he has to be thrilled.  Getting WR McCord and all-American TE Whalen back should have this kid quite anxious to start his college career.  The RB situation is still up in the air, but in this offense, that isn't really an issue.  They'll just need someone to pick up the first down whenever the pass play only gets 8 or 9 yards.  it looks like business as usual for the UK offense, despite the abrupt changing of the guard at QB.

Defense isn't all that different a story.  They get more than half of their guys back, including Grant and Kelly at the corners, and Johnson on the line.  These guys have youngsters coming up to fill some key roles, especially at LB and DL.  If they can mature quickly, the 'D' will be decent.  Of course, they have the unenviable task of playing on a team that is pass-happy, with ball control and clock management a thing for other teams to worry about.  They'll be on the field often, and will need reserves to keep up a strong effort through 60 minutes.

You have to give Mumme credit for making his team a news-friendly group.  Which turns into a bowl-likely group, if he can mange six wins.  To get there, they'll have to beat someone good, and beat up on a few teams in the points category, to get some good QB-press.  They start with a Louisville/USF/Indiana trio that could be three wins, if they can manage to control Randle El or outscore that Hoosiers team.  Then they have road games against UF/UT/Ole Miss in conference, that should all be losses, and an LSU game they could win.  Home games include Vandy, MSU, SC, and Georgia.  There could be three wins there.  All in all, it looks like the Louisville game is a must-win if they hope to have a winning season, since 4-4 in the SEC is pushing it and they can't count on beating Indiana to salvage the season.

To see what we said about the Wildcats in the spring, click here:  GO

LSU Tigers  

We'll try to put a positive spin on the whole coaching move issue, but we're afraid it will sound artificial.  After all, we were one of Saban's biggest critics at Michigan State.  We thought he did a great job of bringing in excellent players but then did an equally good job of underutilizing them, or otherwise not getting the most out of these guys.  And now he goes to a program that has been criticized by us and most other in the college media for not doing a good enough job with utilizing their own rather strong talent of late.  On the surface it seems like a match made for disaster, or at least for the continuation of the same old underachievement.  If we were wrong about Saban, and he truly is equipped to get a lot out of a little. this will be a good year for the Tigers.  They don't have the talent the Spartans had the past few seasons, so they'll need to overproduce.  

The offense is a perfect example.  The talent may be there at QB, with Booty and Nall, but thus far we haven't seen it.  And neither have the coaches, apparently, since both are still fighting it out for the starting spot as of the last report.  We think Booty will win out, and Saban will try to develop his young talent with an eye toward 2001.  He has good receiving crew to throw to, with the returning Myers and (the other) Booty looking to head the class.  If Saban continues his trend from up north, they'll use the receivers to set up the run, and RB Davis gets the opportunity to fill the shoes of a respectable Rondell Mealey this season.  It seems to be all potential here for Saban and LSU -- which sounds like exactly what critics of both Nick and the Tigers say spells mediocrity.

Defense has to develop and become a force in the Bayou, if the season is going to be a success.  The secondary will be their strength, as everyone returns from last year's starters.  They can cover and attack the run, to support the front seven.. That's good, because the boys up front aren't all that solid as yet.  The DL needs to continue improving, plus add another talent as Saban favors the 4-3.  The LBs weren't spectacular last season, but they add some youth this season and these guys will have the transition to starters made a bit easier by the LB-friendly defensive scheme Saban brings with him.  They'll get to go after big plays by blitzes and the added attention the four linemen get from the OL.  

We have a hard time gauging where these guys will end up this season.  On the one hand, it looks like it could be a 2-win season: Western Carolina and UAB.  On the other hand, they could take two conference games at home (UK and MSU) and maybe one on the road (Arkansas).  And then there could be a big upset or two.  We think it's safe to say 3 wins, one in conference; let Saban prove everyone wrong on Saturdays (which, for LSU fans, we hope he does).

To see what we said about LSU in the spring, click here:  GO

Mississippi Rebels   

The word out of Ole Miss is run, run, and run again.  Whether it's preseason Heisman candidate Duece McAllister, the other very capable back Joe Gunn, or QB Romaro Miller, these guys will run like mad and score often on the ground.  Miller can also throw, and he'll benefit from the tendency of defenses to load up the box to stop the run.  He can also draw motivation from the fact that there is a Manning in the wings, waiting to take up where his dad left off all those years ago as a Reb; the fact that the fans have been screaming for freshman Eli all offseason has to be a concern for the team, as the first loss or bad performance by Miller can have devastating effects on the mental side of the game for this offense.  First and foremost in Miller's head has to be the need for receivers, though.  Someone has to get open for him to have the chance to throw a pass, after all.  Fluoroy returns from last year's squad, and he'll have to at least double his output from '99 in order to fill the need at the position.

Defensively they look to be all right, but not great.  They lose a few guys, but return most of the pieces.  The front seven should be decent, with some strengths in the middle and the outside.  Nothing outstanding, so count on teams to be able to move the ball on them.  The secondary loses half of its crew, but the two returning players -- Lucas on the corner and Taylor in center field -- should be strong enough to anchor that group.  They're hoping for plenty of points and ball control from the offense, and if they get it you can expect quite a few wins from these guys.

The schedule is appealing.  They open with four of five games at home, the toughest being Auburn and the trip to Vandy.  We think they'll stumble once here.  Then it's a road trip to 'Bama, Arkansas and Georgia, with a visit from an improving UNLV team in between.  This is the telling point for the season.  Two or three losses here aren't out of the question, even for an improved Ole Miss team.  They close with State, and that could have title game implications, if they managed to beat Bama or Auburn through the season.  We see a 5-3 or 6-2 SEC record, and 2-1 or 3-0 nonconference mark.  Another trip to go bowlin', and probably a better slot than the last couple of seasons.   

To see what we said about Ole Miss in the spring, click here:  GO

Mississippi State Bulldogs  

Yes, they were 8-0 at the start of the year, en route to a nice 10-2 record.  But when you evaluate this team in terms of the season ahead, you have to remember that they won games against many average teams by a point or two, and they didn't have UT, UGA, or UF on their conference schedule.  Add in the fact that almost the whole defense is gone, and half the offense, and you can see why we're thinking these guys will be lucky to go .500.  

Defensively there isn't much to say, aside from "Cross your fingers," and "Don't count on a repeat of last year."  Bulldogs fans have to prepare themselves for a serious drop off from '99, when this unit was one of the better ones in the SEC.  They do get star CB Smoot back and he'll have to be everywhere, on the field and in his teammates' heads, to get these guys to the level needed to compete in this year's slate of games.

Offense will have to take its turn as team strength this season.  They have  a potential star in RB Dontae Walker, and he'll be asked to carry the brunt of the load for State.  Returning QB Wayne Madkin will have to improve considerably if he hopes to be a presence on that team.  He loses the two best receivers on the team to graduation, and he has to hope that Grindle or Huntington can make a statement this summer and carry it into the fall.  The best feature on this offense has to be the OL.  These guys are huge, and have a good amount of experience to draw from.  They will make Walker and Madkin look better, and the Bulldog faithful will have to hope these guys seize the opportunity and respond with decent production.  

The schedule is kind again to State.  No UT and no UGA, and they get UF, 'Bama, Auburn and Arkansas at home.  If they can win half of these, it could be a 5-3 conference record since they can beat the teams they get on the road -- LSU, SC, UK -- with the exception of Ole Miss.  Nonconference play has a trip to Memphis and BYU, and a visit by MTSU, all of which could be wins but two of which may not be.  We see a 4-4 SEC record, and 2-1 out of conference, with 5-3 and 3-0 a good possibility.

To see what we said about MSU in the spring, click here:  GO

South Carolina Gamecocks  

Pardon the cliché, but it's really nowhere but up for the Gamecocks.  Fans have been patient waiting for the Holtz magic to set in and produce wins.  No doubt the team is much better than they were before Lou got there, but the offense has failed to turn the defense's strong efforts into any 'W's. It looks like they'll be 'D' first again, and it will be up to that offense to show up in order to get the inaugural Lou victory.

They seem to have taken a page out of ex-SEC man Bob Stoops' book, and are implementing an Oklahoma-like spread offense to try to answer the ineptitude on that side of the ball.  If they can turn it into 20  or more points per game, they'll get a few wins this year.  but that may be shooting high; how about a touchdown each game, first.  The star on this unit is WR Kelly, who returns after a respectable season in '99.  RB Watson comes back for another run at it as well, and he'll have to improve to earn the title of 'respectable' at the end of this season, as he disappointed in '99.  The returning Petty gets to be the beneficiary of this QB-friendly game plan.  He'll have to show more accuracy as well as much better decision-making now that the conservative approach is out the window.  It may just be too difficult for him to do well, consistently.  So don't look for a 7-win season like OU enjoyed last year.  Gamecock fans will probably be happy with two, of course.  

Defense is a concern this year, after losing some quality players after last season.  CB Faison is a star in the making, and the secondary may develop into the strong point for this unit.  If not, it will be the pass rush of the front seven, with excellent LB Edwards and tackles Caldwell and Pinkney.  not much more to say here side from the usual 'potential' comments, as many of this group will be youngsters and JUCO transfers vying for starting spots.  We'll know more by the end of the summer.

You have to hate the schedule maker if you're a Gamecocks fan.  The season ends with seven games you should lose, thanks to having two teams you could beat -- UK and Vandy -- be on the road.  Fortunately, you start off with three games out of four that may be victories, albeit tough ones, as a rebuilding New Mexico State and Western Michigan come to town along with a questionable Mississippi State team.  All in all it looks like Lou has to get that win before October comes, or put it off for another year unless a serious upset is in the works.

To see what we said about USC in the spring, click here:  GO

Tennessee Volunteers  

The Vols will be all new this year.  Yes, they get almost half of their starters back, but the key positions were all vacated, many by early departing-now-NFLers. When you lose stars to graduation, that is hard to overcome; when you lose them plus a ton of juniors with pro talent, what can you do?  Cross your fingers and hope that you did as well as you think you did in recruiting these past few years.

Defense will need to be strong, to keep the Vols on the right track in most games this year.  Problem is, who returns?  Much of the talent on this unit last season now play on Sundays across the NFL.  What's left has to find a new identity, and a new unity that is crucial to fielding a strong defensive team.  Look for youngsters to fight for jobs on the DL and LB crew especially, but there are openings in that secondary as well.  Lott returns to man one corner, but that may be all we can say for certain about the make-up of that group right now.  The DL is led by the returning Overstreet, and the LBs are in need of a leader yet.  Something has to happen here for there to be any celebrating for Vols fans this year.  

Of course the offense could develop to the extent that they carry the team to more victories than expected by simply outscoring opponents by 34-31 scores all year.  If this kind of production is possible, RB Henry and WR Wilson will have to play way over their heads.  They have some good experience, and have shown they can lead this team by example.  They'll need the QB situation to settle down, and have a strong talent emerge as leader of the offense in the huddle.  Joey Mathews looks like the front runner, but that is by far no certainty.  There are several players -- old Vols and new JUCO transfers alike -- battling for the right to claim that post.

The schedule will not be any help.  They open with two home games that could easily be losses, with Southern Miss and Florida.  If the Vols survive this with at least a split, they can go into the Georgia/Bama duo with a 3-1 record.  If they get out of there at 4-2, they could win the rest.  We think they'll manage a 2-1 record out of conference, and 5-3 in the SEC.  7-4 isn't horrible, unless you're Tennessee. It'll be a rough year for Fulmer, where he'll have to convince the fans that losing as many players as they did to early departure does this to a team.  Prepare for plenty of comparisons to Ohio State and Penn State at press conferences following losses.

To see what we said about the Vols in the spring, click here:  GO

Vanderbilt Commodores  

The Commodores will be defense first again this year, and that isn't just because the offense is weak, as is the case so often of late.  This defense will be very good, led by all-American candidate LB Jamie Winborn.  The rest of the LB crew is solid as well, making this their strong point of the defense.  The Line is led by DT Aulds, and they'll be that much better thanks to the help behind them.  The secondary is good, but young.  Their youth makes them hard to judge, since they will likely show their abilities only after a few game situations.

The offense must produce, or allow a fantastic defensive effort go to waste week in and week out.  They look like they're ready to do just that.  Led by RB Rodney Williams, who has gone out there for Vandy the past two seasons and fought for each yard he can get, they are again a mediocre unit at best.  tehy need a stellar year from QB Zolman, and some receivers to step up and earn their stripes early.  It's a young group at wideout, and they may need time to develop.  The OL loses two starters, and if they can rebuild quickly, Zolman and Williams will get the help they need to produce.  

Vanderbilt was less than ten points away from a 7-win season, including a win against Florida.  Two losses were close ones, and they ended up a respectable 5-6.  They can better that mark this year if they can pull off wins against Kentucky or one of the big three in the East.  They'll need both of these if they drop a game they shouldn't lose, like a nonconference game or SC.  They can beat Miami U to open the season, and should then drop the road game at 'Bama and the home stop against Ole Miss.  Then there is a must win Duke game, and an Auburn/Georgia, Wake/South Carolina grouping where they need to pull two wins.  They end with a terrible Gators/UK/Vols set that should be three losses, but if a win comes out of there it will be a great year for the Commodores.

To see what we said about the Commodores in the spring, click here:  GO