2008 SEC Week 1 Predictions
Never thought this day would come. With a new, unorthodox Auburn offense hitting the field tomorrow, it has really fueled my anticipation. And with Bama opening with our last opponent, Clemson, I'm going to have a hard time sleeping tonight. Every year at this time, it makes me feel like a kid again. Can't wait to open my presents tomorrow!
Auburn 42 LaMonroe 13
An interesting matchup to say the least for both Auburn and Bama fans. I'm sure the Tide faithful would like nothing more than to return the favor from the abuse they've suffered since their loss to the Warhawks last year. But, I don't think it's going to happen. Really not sure how it happened in Bryant-Denny last year. Anyway, expect to see the spread take off tomorrow night. Even with a new offense, Auburn's defense will be under heavy scrutiny as well. The Tigers liked to start off slow the 1st few games last year. We often started off in a hole which led to a couple early losses. LaMo will be juiced, no doubt. But I just don't see it happening.
Tennessee 23 UCLA 14
The Bruins are down to their 3rd string QB already. Could be a rough start for Neuheisel's return to college football. UT starts a new QB as well, but is much more battle-tested. Expect Coach Fulmer to indulge in the post-game brownies that night.
Louisville 31 Kentucky 24
UK opens on the road in their annual meeting with the Cards of Derbytown. Unfortunately, it's bad timing 'cause I think the Wildcats will become a better team as the season progresses. With the departure of All-SEC QB Woodson, the 'Cats have some rebuilding to do. And Louisville has something to prove after last year's miserable performance under 1st-year coach Kragthorpe.
Ole Miss 27 Memphis 13
The post-Ogre era begins in Oxford Saturday. The Rebels have certainly upgraded their coaching staff and seem to have a few key talented players on the field. Don't think Memphis will keep as close as years past. Guess I should keep my on the 1 who slipped from AU's grasp, Enrique Davis. He should fit in well in the Nutt offense.
Florida 45 Hawaii 10
The Warriors lose both their coach and their NFL-caliber QB from last year. It won't be pretty that 1st game in the Swamp. Expect this 1 to get out of hand quickly.
LSU 34 App State 13
Don't think the Mountaineers will sneak up on anyone this year after the upset at Michigan last year. However, I think LSU will try to work on their passing game with a very inexperienced QB. That should make the score deceptively close for the 1st half.
Miss St. 21 LaTech 20
Should be a tight 1 on the road to open for Croom's Dogs. Hard to get a feel for a game like this to start the season. Could go either way. Should be interesting to see if MSU's offense has made any improvement.
UGAy 41 Ga Southern 9
You could field a football team with all the players on suspension for this game. I think it's something like 12 or 13 players total. Anyway, the main 2 will be playing, Stafford and Moreno. And, that will be enough. Look for redshirt freshman RB, Caleb King, for UGA to get on the field early.
Arkansas 40 W. Illinois 10
The Leathernecks are coming! The Leathernecks are coming! Who cares.
Thursday
S. Carolina 27 NC State 17
Don't know a whole lot about either team. I just figure the 'Cocks can pull it out on their home turf with Spurrier.
Miami-OH 24 Vandy 20
Road game for the 'Dores to kickoff the season. I think we know how these usually turn out.
***UPSET SPECIAL***
UAt 24 Clemson 21
As much as I hate to say this, I have to go with the Pachyderm Pygmies for my upset special. While I think Clemson should win this game, Bama has a lot riding on this game. It would be monumental for them to open their season in the Georgia Dome in the national spotlight and steal 1 from a top 10 opponent. Considering they finished 6-6 the last 2 regular seasons, a win Sat. night would go a long ways in turning things around. The key to success for both teams will be the running game. Both QBs need the ground game to be successful to open up the passing game. I'll say whoever rushes for more yards, wins.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
2008 SEC Season Predictions
Little late on this, but I’ve put together what I think will be the likely finish in the SEC for 2008.
SEC West
Auburn (10-2) (Losses: UT, @WVU)
The schedule looks favorable for Auburn this year. And it’s more than likely the new offense will be more productive than the last 2 years. While I think we’ll be in Atlanta, I don’t think it’ll be without a couple losses. Tennessee is the week after LSU. Although they play Florida that same weekend, I could see us dropping this one we shouldn’t. W. Virginia is loaded and we make a Thursday night visit to their house this year. Could be an unwelcomed visit.
Bama (8-4) (Losses: Clemson, @Ark, @UGAy, AU)
I pick Bama to win 1 game they’ll likely be the underdog, @ LSU. And that would setup quite a showdown in Tuscaloosa this year for the Iron Bowl, the right to go to Atlanta. I can very well see this happening, much to my dismay. Bama was on the unfortunate end of some key losses last year. And I see that fortune changing this year. The only reason I don’t pick them to beat AU at home is because of the streak. Be ready to hear Bama’s back win or lose in the Iron Bowl, if they come this close to Atlanta.
LSU (8-4) (Losses: @AU, @UF, @S. Car., Bama)
I know LSU has a lot of talent, which may win them a game they shouldn’t (UGAy). But starting a QB who has never taken a snap in the SEC is quite a disadvantage. I’m a very big proponent that a returning QB with experience usually translates into more wins. Add to this the fact that LSU also lost key senior starters from their roster, I believe will lead to a rebuilding year for Les “Top Hat” Miles.
Ole Miss (7-5) (Losses: @WF, @UF, @Bama, Auburn, @LSU)
Count me as 1 of those that believe the Nutty Professor will make a dramatic improvement in Oxford. While I think they might stumble at Wake out of the gates, I think ol’ Nutt will have a little something for his return home at Arkansas in late October.
MSU (6-6) (Losses: AU, @GT, @LSU, @UT, @Bama, @Ole Miss)
Tough road schedule for Croom’s Dogs. I think their season will hinge on their home game with Arkansas. While they’re a much dangerous team nowadays, I believe they’ll return to looking up from the bottom in the SEC this year.
Arkansas (5-7) (Losses: @Texas, UF, @AU, Ole Miss, @S. Car., @MSU, LSU)
Tough year to play Texas. That could be the game that keeps the Hogs out of post-season play this year. Petrino has some crow to eat hosting Houston Nutt and travelling back to Auburn. Don’t expect this is what the Hog fans’ were hoping when they hired him.
SEC East
Florida (11-1) (Losses: UGAy)
The Gators schedule sets up real nice for them this year. They have a chance at running the table. @UT and the Georgia game are the only substantial threats for them in the SEC. And in my estimation, they could back door into Atlanta if Auburn does them a favor by beating the Dogs in November.
UGAy (10-2) (Losses: @LSU, @AU)
This could be a tough break for the Dogs 2 years in a row if they somehow sweep the East and manage to miss Atlanta again. It’s very probable, especially if UF comes out of Knoxville with a win. Boy, wouldn’t Auburn love to be in a position to cancel their reservations in Atlanta? Guess that would be a little payback for ’06.
UT (9-3) (Losses: UF, @UGAy, Bama)
The Vols have a favorable schedule this year, aside from having to play UGAy and UF again. Aside from that, I think they’ll win 1 against Bama or Auburn.
S. Carolina (7-5) (Losses: UGAy, @Ole Miss, UT, @UF, @Clemson)
Good chance with their schedule that the ‘Cocks could be 6-2 headed into their home game with Tennessee. Believe it or not, but that could be a pivotal game for the 3rd spot in the East. Spurrier got his team off to a bang last year, even cracking the top 5 in the nation. I can see a similar start to this year. But they’ll be lucky to win more than 1 game out of their final 4.
Kentucky (5-7) (Losses: @Bama, S. Car., Ark., @UF, @MSU, UGAy, UT)
The Wildcats could start out 4-0 with a win in their opener at Louisville. But after that, it gets brutal. Losing Woodson at QB will be a tough obstacle to overcome. But I do think they have an impressive coaching staff. And, it looks like they’re holding their own in recruiting. I wouldn’t doubt it if the Wildcats make another run in the East within the next 4 years, just not this year.
Vandy (2-10) (Wins: Duke, Rice)
I think the ‘Dores pull another “0-for” in the SEC this year. I just can’t see them winning 1 game. Maybe hosting Ole Miss or S. Carolina in September, while hopes are yet dashed? I don’t know, but I doubt it. You look at the coaches in the SEC and Vandy doesn’t even compete. I hate it for them, but Bobby Johnson is out of his league.
SEC West
Auburn (10-2) (Losses: UT, @WVU)
The schedule looks favorable for Auburn this year. And it’s more than likely the new offense will be more productive than the last 2 years. While I think we’ll be in Atlanta, I don’t think it’ll be without a couple losses. Tennessee is the week after LSU. Although they play Florida that same weekend, I could see us dropping this one we shouldn’t. W. Virginia is loaded and we make a Thursday night visit to their house this year. Could be an unwelcomed visit.
Bama (8-4) (Losses: Clemson, @Ark, @UGAy, AU)
I pick Bama to win 1 game they’ll likely be the underdog, @ LSU. And that would setup quite a showdown in Tuscaloosa this year for the Iron Bowl, the right to go to Atlanta. I can very well see this happening, much to my dismay. Bama was on the unfortunate end of some key losses last year. And I see that fortune changing this year. The only reason I don’t pick them to beat AU at home is because of the streak. Be ready to hear Bama’s back win or lose in the Iron Bowl, if they come this close to Atlanta.
LSU (8-4) (Losses: @AU, @UF, @S. Car., Bama)
I know LSU has a lot of talent, which may win them a game they shouldn’t (UGAy). But starting a QB who has never taken a snap in the SEC is quite a disadvantage. I’m a very big proponent that a returning QB with experience usually translates into more wins. Add to this the fact that LSU also lost key senior starters from their roster, I believe will lead to a rebuilding year for Les “Top Hat” Miles.
Ole Miss (7-5) (Losses: @WF, @UF, @Bama, Auburn, @LSU)
Count me as 1 of those that believe the Nutty Professor will make a dramatic improvement in Oxford. While I think they might stumble at Wake out of the gates, I think ol’ Nutt will have a little something for his return home at Arkansas in late October.
MSU (6-6) (Losses: AU, @GT, @LSU, @UT, @Bama, @Ole Miss)
Tough road schedule for Croom’s Dogs. I think their season will hinge on their home game with Arkansas. While they’re a much dangerous team nowadays, I believe they’ll return to looking up from the bottom in the SEC this year.
Arkansas (5-7) (Losses: @Texas, UF, @AU, Ole Miss, @S. Car., @MSU, LSU)
Tough year to play Texas. That could be the game that keeps the Hogs out of post-season play this year. Petrino has some crow to eat hosting Houston Nutt and travelling back to Auburn. Don’t expect this is what the Hog fans’ were hoping when they hired him.
SEC East
Florida (11-1) (Losses: UGAy)
The Gators schedule sets up real nice for them this year. They have a chance at running the table. @UT and the Georgia game are the only substantial threats for them in the SEC. And in my estimation, they could back door into Atlanta if Auburn does them a favor by beating the Dogs in November.
UGAy (10-2) (Losses: @LSU, @AU)
This could be a tough break for the Dogs 2 years in a row if they somehow sweep the East and manage to miss Atlanta again. It’s very probable, especially if UF comes out of Knoxville with a win. Boy, wouldn’t Auburn love to be in a position to cancel their reservations in Atlanta? Guess that would be a little payback for ’06.
UT (9-3) (Losses: UF, @UGAy, Bama)
The Vols have a favorable schedule this year, aside from having to play UGAy and UF again. Aside from that, I think they’ll win 1 against Bama or Auburn.
S. Carolina (7-5) (Losses: UGAy, @Ole Miss, UT, @UF, @Clemson)
Good chance with their schedule that the ‘Cocks could be 6-2 headed into their home game with Tennessee. Believe it or not, but that could be a pivotal game for the 3rd spot in the East. Spurrier got his team off to a bang last year, even cracking the top 5 in the nation. I can see a similar start to this year. But they’ll be lucky to win more than 1 game out of their final 4.
Kentucky (5-7) (Losses: @Bama, S. Car., Ark., @UF, @MSU, UGAy, UT)
The Wildcats could start out 4-0 with a win in their opener at Louisville. But after that, it gets brutal. Losing Woodson at QB will be a tough obstacle to overcome. But I do think they have an impressive coaching staff. And, it looks like they’re holding their own in recruiting. I wouldn’t doubt it if the Wildcats make another run in the East within the next 4 years, just not this year.
Vandy (2-10) (Wins: Duke, Rice)
I think the ‘Dores pull another “0-for” in the SEC this year. I just can’t see them winning 1 game. Maybe hosting Ole Miss or S. Carolina in September, while hopes are yet dashed? I don’t know, but I doubt it. You look at the coaches in the SEC and Vandy doesn’t even compete. I hate it for them, but Bobby Johnson is out of his league.
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