SEC East
Is Florida still the team to beat even with a depleted defense? Which Senior QB will shine? And is this the year South Carolina breaks through and competes for the division crown?

Tennessee
2006 Record- 9-4
2006 ATS Record- 7-6

Offense: 6 Returning Starters
Senior QB Erik Ainge returns and is the leader of this Volunteer offense. He might not have the go-to receivers of 2006, but there are enough playmakers for Tennessee to be very competitive in the SEC East. Running back Adrian Foster will be the main running threat as LaMarcus Coker was booted off the team for violating the team’s substance abuse policy. If Ainge can stay healthy, this Vols team could win the East.

Defense: 5 Returning Starters
The defense at times last season looked lethargic. Only five starters return, including one in the secondary. They lost big play end Justin Harrell to the NFL and have to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks if they plan on having any type of success this year.

Schedule:
The opening month will be key in determining how good this Tennessee team is. Opening at Cal will be extremely tough, as will the first two conference games; at Florida and hosting Georgia. They get SC and Arkansas at home, so if they hold serve and steal one or two on the road, the Volunteers could be playing in the SEC title game come December.
2007 Predicted Record: 8-4 (5-3)

Georgia
2006 Record- 8-4
2006 ATS Record- 5-6-1

Offense: 6 Returning Starters
The Bulldogs finally have their QB situation figured out as Matt Stafford is the #1 guy. There are holes on this team as there isn’t a true go-to receiver and four offensive linemen have to be replaced. If the O-line is strong enough to give Stafford time, he, along with Georgia could boast excellent numbers this year.

Defense: 4 Returning Starters
Stopping the run will be key if the Bulldogs want to compete for the division. They lost a lot of talent up front last year, so the returning starters have to step up and make plays. They are very quick, with speed to burn, but don’t have the size other defenses have, so getting pressure on the QB will be essential.

Schedule:
Very, very tough slate. Opening against an improved Oklahoma St team and then the conference opener against South Carolina could put the Bulldogs in a quick 0-2 hole if they aren’t prepared. Conference road games at Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida is brutal, but Mark Richt is a very good coach and should have his boys ready each and every week.
2007 Predicted Record: 7-5 (5-3)

South Carolina
2006 Record- 8-5
2006 ATS Record- 9-3

Offense: 7 Returning Starters
Senior QB Blake Mitchell will take the snaps as he’s looking to build off the end of 2006 when he played very well. All-in-all seven starters return on what should be a balanced offense with RB Cory Boyd getting most of the carries. They do lose WR Sydney Rice to the NFL, but enough playmakers are back to explode in Spurrier’s offense.

Defense: 10 Returning Starters
At times this SC defense looked like it was coming together nicely and other times looked just awful. Ten starters return to a unit that is the most experienced since Spurrier took over. They showed signs of brilliance against the Gators, but then flopped in the Liberty Bowl against Houston. If they can stay consistent, SC will be right there in December.

Schedule:
There are four extremely tough conference road games that SC will have to overcome. At Georgia, LSU, Arkansas and Tennessee all could be potential losers, as well as ending the year verse Florida and Clemson. If the Gamecocks can perform on the road, as they have in the past, a division crown might be in sight.
2007 Predicted Record: 9-3 (5-3)

Kentucky
2006 Record- 8-5
2006 ATS Record- 7-5

Offense: 7 Returning Starters
Another senior QB, Andre Woodson, might be the best in the entire SEC. He’s got great accuracy and can use his legs to get out of trouble. The Wildcats return playmakers at WR and RB, meaning IF Woodson can get time, he’ll light up defenses all season long.

Defense: 8 Returning Starters
Last season’s big downfall was the defense, or more specifically the pass defense. Opposing quarterbacks loved playing Kentucky as it got them a chance to pad their stats a bit. Most of the experience from a year ago returns, so one can only assume the D will be better this time around.

Schedule:
October is a brutal month as Kentucky takes on SC, LSU and Florida is a three week span. Ending the season at Georgia and verse Tennessee won’t make things any easier. Nor will the annual meeting with Louisville where between Woodson and Brohm we might see over 1000 yards through the air. A winning record and bowl berth are likely.
2007 Predicted Record: 7-5 (4-4)

Florida
2006 Record- 13-1
2006 ATS Record- 5-8

Offense: 6 Returning Starters
The returning National Champs will have a totally different look on both sides of the ball. Tim Tebow is now the #1 QB and will try to live up to the hype. It’s one thing for him to school opposing defenses when they are expecting him to run, but let’s see if he can thread the needle on a 3rd and 13 when the defense knows the pass is coming. WR/RB Percy Harvin has excellent speed and will benefit from playing as a frosh.

Defense: 2 Returning Starters
The major changes will come on defense as UF has to replace 9 starters from a year ago. Defense was the backbone to the title last season and the Gators will apply a bend-not-break policy to this year’s D. There’s inexperience everywhere, meaning a repeat at even a conference crown is unlikely.

Schedule:
The entire conference slate is difficult with road games at LSU, Kentucky and South Carolina. They do get Tennessee, Auburn and Georgia at home, along with Florida St to end the year, but with so much inexperience at key positions, it’s hard to think Florida can compete with the top of the SEC this season.
2007 Predicted Record: 7-5 (4-4)

Vanderbilt
2006 Record- 4-8
2006 ATS Record- 6-5

Offense: 10 Returning Starters
Chris Nickson might be the best QB you’ve never heard of. He blew up towards the end of last season throwing for over 400 yards against Kentucky and just below 300 yards verse Florida. With all the key components back, Vandy could make some noise this season.

Defense: 8 Returning Starters
The majority of starters return on a unit that was so-so in 2006. It gave up its fair share of yards and points, but didn’t really get blown away on too many occasions. With so much experience back, look for improving numbers from this Commodore defense.

Schedule:
Starting the year off 3-1 or better would do wonders for this team’s momentum into conference play. Stealing one or two at home verse an Alabama, Kentucky or Wake Forrest could bring Vandy very close to becoming bowl eligible for the first time in 25 years.
2007 Predicted Record: 4-8 (1-7)

 

Chris Copeland
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