Rocket City Report: 2011 SEC Preview

The Favorite (East): In 2010, South Carolina took advantage of a down year in the SEC East where only two teams finished with winning records after the bowl season. They were led by true freshman running back Marcus Lattimore (1197 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns) and sophomore wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (1517 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns.) Both stars return as well as senior quarterback Stephen Garcia and the top overall recruit in the country in Jadeveon Clowney is added to the mix. Steve Spurrier has built quite a team in Columbia that has to potential to stay at the top of the East division.

The Favorite (West): Alabama took a step back last year and only won ten games. The Tide had four players drafted in the first round of the NFL draft, but they still bring back ten starters to a defense that allowed fewer than 14 points per game last season. I'd be surprised if they didn't have the best defense in the country at the end of the season. The Tide will be dealing the loss of a Heisman Trophy winner and one of the nation's top receivers, as well uncertainty as to who the starting quarterback will be, but the defense will be able to carry them to the SEC Championship Game.

The Challenger (East): Georgia was a serious underachiever last season. The Bulldogs were 0-4 in close games and they lost two other games by 11 and 12 points. This season the schedule is much more manageable for two reasons. One is that most of the tougher games are at home, with the hardest road game at Tennessee. The other is that the draw from the West division is as good as possible. They miss Alabama, LSU and Arkansas in this year's schedule. I think Georgia will bounce back in a big way and they have the potential to win the East.

The Challenger (West): LSU just barely missed out on winning the West last season when they lost at Auburn by a touchdown. This season they get Auburn at home, but unfortunately they have to win on the road at Alabama if they are going to play in Atlanta. LSU needs quarterback Jordan Jefferson to improve and be consistent in his senior season. LSU did have five players taken in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft, so that talent will have to be replaced.

The Sleeper: Watch out for Mississippi State. They improved dramatically in Dan Mullen's second season, capped off with a demolishing of Michigan in the Gator Bowl. With home games against LSU, South Carolina and Alabama, they could be a surprise contender.

The Letdown: After going 14-0 with a BCS National Championship, Auburn is going to take a step back. With only six returning starters and playing the stacked West division, it will probably be a pretty big step back. Missing the postseason the year after winning a ring is a definite possibility.

Conference Player of the Year: It's a battle between two running backs, Trent Richardson of Alabama and Marcus Lattimore of South Carolina.

I Wrote What?: In last year's preview, the worst thing I wrote was expecting Florida to finish 11-1. Life was tough for the Gators in the post Tim Tebow era, losing in the Swamp thrice and falling to in-state rival Florida State for the first time since 2003.

Non-Conference Games to Watch
* LSU vs Oregon at Arlington, September 3 - This is the best non-conference game of the season. It's a great way to start the college football season between two top ten teams.
* Georgia vs Boise State at Atlanta, September 3 - This could be the second best non-conference game of the season. It's another stellar matchup on opening weekend.
* Arkansas vs Texas A&M at Arlington, October 1 - Cowboys Stadium is loaded with quality non-conference games. Arkansas has won both games here.
* Alabama at Penn State, September 10 - Two storied programs meet for the second season in a row, this time at Happy Valley.
* Florida State at Florida, November 26 - Florida had won six straight in this annual series until 2010. With Florida State continuing to improve, they could be starting a streak of their own.

Projected Standings:
East: