The First Annual Behind Closed Dores SEC Football Preseason Spectacular Spectacular!

There is perhaps no time of year I look more forward to than the advent of SEC football. The pageantry and tradition that is interwoven into the reputations of the schools and the lives of their fans remain unrivaled. Year in and year out the teams of the SEC battle it out for conference supremacy, and in many cases a chance to play for a national championship. This year looks to be no different in that in my estimation there are no less than three teams that have a legitimate shot at claiming a BCS title. Fans across the Southeast have been looking forward to this year's installments of some of the oldest and fiercest rivalry games in the country for months. Further stoking the fire are the enormous expectations that have been heaped upon the teams as the SEC has emerged as the preeminent conference in all of college athletics. As early as the third week of the season national title implications will swing in balance. It is with great pleasure I bring to you my picks for the forthcoming season, and as fun as it was to pick the games, you can bet that I will be watching as many of them as humanly possible in person or on TV. Because, as we all know, there is absolutely no substitute for college football in the SEC.

Enjoy


EAST:

Georgia (11-1) Questions at kicker and O-line are a concern. Team overcomes tough schedule and even tougher media hype. Matt Stafford cuts way down on interceptions and Mohamed Massaquoi finally lives up to expectations. Mark Richt cashes a fat check at the end of the year, and would easily be elected as the Governor of Georgia.

Florida (10-2) Injuries plague an already unproven defense. Tim Tebow gets help in the backfield from a stable of stud running backs. Percy Harvin remains a threat to take it the distance every time he touches the ball. This team is explosive enough on offense to win it all, but there are too many questions on defense, in addition to the Georgia Bulldogs in the Gators' way.

Tennessee (9-3) The Vols throw first year starter QB Jonathan Crompton to the wolves, and he responds well. New offensive coordinator Dave Clawson brings a fresh look to the Vols offense which benefits from play maker Gerald Jones and workhorse running back Arian Foster. Unfortunately, the Vols are the odd man out in the ultra-competitive SEC East.

South Carolina (7-5) The Ol' Ball Coach continues his QB shuffle in Columbia. Expectations are inexplicably high for a team that will never win an SEC title. This could be Steve Spurrier's swan song as he may decide to hang it up after another frustrating year at the helm of the Garnet and Black. I shudder to think of a football season without Darth Visor.

Kentucky (4-8) Gone are Andre Woodson and Rafael Little, taking the bite out of the 'Cats potent offense of a year ago. Heir apparent to Woodson's throne Curtis Pulley can't seem to stay out of trouble. Looks like UK's two year trial as a "football school" may be over.

Vanderbilt (4-8) Only the faces change. The Commodores renew their lease on the SEC cellar. Chris Nickson gives Vanderbilt the best chance to win at quarterback, but his health will remain a concern throughout the season. The lack of a legititmate backfield threat and 5 new starters on the offensive line cancel out one of the best defenses Bobby Johnson has assembled at Vanderbilt. Expect the 'Dores to play Georgia close in Athens for the Dawgs homecoming game (a game Vandy won 2 years ago) but almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

WEST:

Auburn (10-2) The folks down on the plains may not recognize this year's team as Tommy Tubberville has brought in spread offense miracle worker Tony Franklin to revamp an outdated offensive attack. Stifling defense and superb special teams play make the difference for the Tigers.

LSU (9-3) Les Miles' ineptitude as a sideline football coach will finally catch up with him and the Bayou Bengals. The talent appears to be present at every position other than QB, which is a bit of a problem for a football team.

Mississippi State (9-3) My sleeper pick this year in the SEC. Sly Croom is an excellent schemer and even better disciplinarian, which may ultimately be more beneficial. Look for the Bulldogs to make it three in a row over the Tide in addition to surprising some folks in the SEC West. I got a fever, and the only prescription...is more cowbell!

Alabama (6-6) Nick Saban brought in the #1 ranked recruiting class this spring, but don't look for the Tides' fortunes to change this fall. Julio Jones is allegedly "NFL ready" but if J. P. Wilson can't get him the ball it won't really matter. The Tide are also woefully thin at linebacker, which could lead to some long afternoons against this fall.

Ole Miss (5-7) Houston Nutt has the 3rd most delusional fan base (behind Bama football and UK basketball) in the SEC all fired up about Texas transfer QB Jevan Snead. The Rebs have some serious talent in Preseason All-SEC picks in future NFL first-rounder and feel good story LG Michael Oher and DE Greg Hardy, but lack play makers at skill positions on offense to make significant strides in Nutt's first year.

Arkansas (3-9) Bobby Petrino is Nick Saban Lite. After bolting from an admittedly toxic situation as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons Petrino shows up in Fayetteville a day late and a dollar short. Darren McFadden and Felix Jones are now on NFL rosters, and while the cupboard may not be bare, don't look for great things from the Hogs this year. Woo! Pig Soooie!

SEC Championship Game:

Georia defeats Auburn

Oh My Dawgs!

Georgia lives up to the hype and takes both the SEC and National Championships. I really wanted to find something not to like about UGA, but after looking at enough preseason college football predictions to make my head spin I feel confident that Mark Richt will have his team in the right frame of mind to overcome the tremendous amount of hype around this team. I can't wait to revisit these picks in January and see how little I really know about college football.

As Always,

Go 'Dores!


* A special thanks to my crack team of research assistants (Maff, my aforementioned younger brother bound for Auburn this fall and my protege Ryan) for their valuable input and willingness to look obscure statistics up on espn.com whilst I yelled at them and told them they were stupid.