2013 SEC Football Preview

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Dec 3, 2011; Atlanta, GA, USA; A general view of the SEC logo at mid-field after the 2011 SEC championship game between the LSU Tigers and Georgia Bulldogs at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Predicted 2013 Standings

East

1. Georgia 10-2 (7-1) Over/Under: 9.5 wins

One word: Capable

The Bulldogs are very capable of winning the SEC and National Title. They have tons on talent on both sides of the ball, especially on offense. Georgia lost last year’s SEC Title game to Alabama, but came within 5 yards of defeating the eventual national champions. Mark Richt returns SR QB Aaron Murray, the running back duo of Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, and wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell, in hopes of returning to the conference championship game.

Predicted W/L:

Aug. 31 @Clemson…..L

Sept. 7 vs South Carolina…..W

Sept 21 vs North Texas…..W

Sept 28 vs LSU…..W

Oct. 5 @Tennessee…..W

Oct. 12 vs Missouri…..W

Oct. 19 @Vanderbilt…..W

Nov. 2 vs Florida (Jacksonville)…..L

Nov. 9 vs Appalachain State…..W

Nov. 16 @ Auburn…..W

Nov. 23 vs Kentucky…..W

Nov. 30 @ Georgia Tech…..W

2. South Carolina 10-2 (7-1) Over/Under: 9.5 wins

One Word: Up

The Gamecock program is up right now. Steve Spurrier has guided South Carolina into it’s most successful era in school history. They are recruiting well and that, combined with great coaching, has translated into wins on the field. South Carolina enjoyed a successful season last year even without running back Marcus Lattimore, who went down with a gruesome knee injury in a win against Tennessee. The Gamecocks finished the season 11-2 with an Outback Bowl victory against Michigan. Jadaveon Clowney will lead the 2013 defense, while Connor Shaw will begin the season as the starting quarterback. If Steve Spurrier plans on taking South Carolina to the SEC Championship game, he will need consistency from Connor Shaw.

Predicted W/L:

Aug. 29 vs North Carolina…..W

Sept. 7 @ Georgia…..L

Sept. 14 vs Vanderbilt…..W

Sept. 28 @ Central Florida…..W

Oct. 5 vs Kentucky…..W

Oct. 12 @ Arkansas…..W

Oct. 19 @ Tennessee…..W

Oct. 26 @ Missouri…..W

Nov. 2 vs Mississippi State…..W

Nov. 16 vs Florida…..W

Nov. 23 vs Coastal Carolina…..W

Nov. 30 vs Clemson…..L

3. Florida 10-2 (6-2) Over/Under: 9.5 wins

One Word: Hard

The Gators play extremely hard for Will Muschamp. His intensity has bled over to his team and they have become a hard-nosed team. Muschamp’s Florida Gator squad surprised a lot of people last season going 11-2 and playing in the Sugar Bowl. Even though they lost their bowl game to Louisville, the Gators had a terrific season. In order for Florida to take the next step and return the SEC Championship game, they will need to have a big season from quarterback Jeff Driskel, running back Matt Jones, and their stellar defense.

Predicted W/L:

Aug. 31 vs Toledo…..W

Sept. 7 @ Miami (FL)…..W

Sept 21 vs Tennessee…..W

Sept 28 @ Kentucky…..W

Oct 5 vs Arkansas…..W

Oct 12 @ LSU…..L

Oct 19 @ Missouri…..W

Nov. 2 vs Georgia (Jacksonville)…..W

Nov. 9 vs Vanderbilt…..W

Nov. 16 @ South Carolina…..L

Nov. 23 vs Georgia Southern…..W

Nov. 30 vs Florida State…..W

4. Tennessee 7-5 (4-4) Over/Under: 5.5 wins

One Word: Encouraging

All programs experience down periods, but the elite always seem to find their way back to the top. The buzz around Tennessee is encouraging. New head coach Butch Jones is recruiting well and with his proven ability to win, Tennessee will be back towards the top of the SEC in the next couple of years. The Vols hired Butch Jones in the offseason after three dismal seasons under Derek Dooley. Jones will try to bring Tennessee back to prominence and will need to find out who is QB of the future will be. Rebuilding the defense that was the worst in school history in 2012 will also be pivotal in having a winning season in 2013. A.J. Johnson, Daniel McCullers, and Byron Moore will lead the Volunteer defense that will move back to a 4-3 scheme after playing in the 3-4 in 2012.

Predicted W/L:

Aug. 31 vs Austin Peay…..W

Sept. 7 vs Western Kentucky…..W

Sept. 14 @ Oregon…..L

Sept. 21 @ Florida…..L

Sept. 28 vs South Alabama…..W

Oct. 5 vs Georgia…..L

Oct. 19 vs South Carolina…..L

Oct. 26 @ Alabama…..L

Nov. 2 @ Missouri…..W

Nov. 9 vs Auburn…..W

Nov. 23 vs Vanderbilt…..W

Nov. 30 @ Kentucky…..W

5. Vanderbilt 7-5 (3-5) Over/Under: 7.5 wins

One Word: Burst

Vanderbilt is currently experiencing quite a burst. The Commodores have made consecutive bowl games and James Franklin has made this program relevant after a history of dormancy. Time will tell if this burst can be sustained or if it is just a flash. Vanderbilt is coming off it’s most successful season in school history after going 9-4 in 2012. Quarterback Jordan Rodgers has graduated, but either senior Austyn Carta-Samuels or redshirt freshman Patton Robinette will have athletic and skilled targets to throw the rock to. Wide recievers’s Jordan Matthews and Chris Boyd will be relied upon heavily to move the ball down the field. James Franklin has done a good job with the Commodores, and should make it back to a third consecutive bowl game.

Predicted W/L:

Aug. 29 vs Ole Miss…..W

Sept. 7 vs Austin Peay…..W

Sept. 14 @ South Carolina…..L

Sept. 21 @ UMass…..W

Sept. 28 vs UAB…..W

Oct. 5 vs Missouri…..W

Oct. 19 vs Georgia…..L

Oct. 26 @ Texas A&M…..L

Nov. 9 @ Florida…..L

Nov. 16 vs Kentucky…..W

Nov. 23 @ Tennessee…..L

Nov. 30 vs Wake Forest…..W

6. Missouri 5-7 (1-7) Over/Under: 5.5 wins

One Word: Mediocre

Missouri’s football program has never had sustained success and can be best described as mediocre. They will need to raise the bar in order to compete in the SEC. The Missouri Tigers struggled in it’s 1st season in the SEC in 2012, but they do have some talent. On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback James Franklin has wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham and running back Marcus Murphy to make big plays. On defense is where they will struggle. In 2012, the Tigers finished ranked 68th in the country in scoring defense. That will need to improve drastically for Mizzou to make a bowl game.

Predicted W/L:

Aug. 31 vs Murray State…..W

Sept. 7 vs Toledo…..W

Sept. 21 @ Indiana…..W

Sept. 28 vs Arkansas State…..W

Oct. 5 @ Vanderbilt…..L

Oct. 12 @ Georgia…..L

Oct. 19 vs Florida…..L

Oct. 26 vs South Carolina…..L

Nov. 2 vs Tennessee…..L

Nov. 9 @ Kentucky…..W

Nov. 23 @ Ole Miss…..L

Nov. 30 vs Texas A&M…..L

7. Kentucky 3-9 (0-8) Over/Under: 3.5 wins

One Word: Hope

The Wildcat fans are hopeful that new head coach Mark Stoops can bring their football program back. They are recruiting well under the new coaching staff and this program now has hope for the future. Kentucky hired Mark Stoops to be their next head coach after firing Joker Phillips. Quarterback Max Smith will need to pick up the new air-raid offense quickly for the Wildcats to have any chance at winning an SEC game in 2013. Last year’s Cats finished 0-8 in SEC play and will be looking to get back in the win column in conference play. The defense will rely on potential All-SEC performers Alvin Depree and Avery Williamson.

Predicted W/L:

Aug. 31 vs Western Kentucky (Nashville)…..W

Sept. 7 vs Miami (OH)…..W

Sept. 14 vs Louisville…..L

Sept. 28 vs Florida…..L

Oct. 5 @ South Carolina…..L

Oct. 12 vs Alabama…..L

Oct. 24 @ Mississippi State…..L

Nov. 2 vs Alabama State…..W

Nov. 9 vs Missouri…..L

Nov. 16 @ Vanderbilt…..L

Nov. 23 @ Georgia…..L

Nov. 30 vs Tennessee…..L

West

1. Alabama 12-0 (8-0) Over/Under: 11.5 wins

One Word: Powerhouse

Alabama is the premier college football powerhouse. One of the most storied programs, the Crimson Tide have it rolling right now. The 2-time defending national champions are bringing back Heisman Trophy candidates in quarterback A.J. McCarron and running back T.J. Yeldon to go along with star wide receiver Amari Cooper on offense. The defense will be solid with linebacker’s C.J. Mosley and Adrian Hubbard in the middle and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Deion Belue patrolling the secondary. Nick Saban will have to hold off the rest of the SEC West in order to win another title.

Predicted W/L:

Aug. 31 vs Virginia Tech (Atlanta)…..W

Sept. 14 @ Texas A&M…..W

Sept. 21 vs Colorado State…..W

Sept. 28 vs Ole Miss…..W

Oct. 5 vs Georgia State…..W

Oct. 12 @ Kentucky…..W

Oct. 19 vs Arkansas…..W

Oct. 26 vs Tennessee…..W

Nov. 9 vs LSU…..W

Nov. 16 @ Mississippi State…..W

Nov. 23 vs Chattanooga…..W

Nov. 30 @ Auburn…..W

2. Texas A&M 11-1 (7-1) Over/Under: 9.5 wins

One Word: Shadow

Texas A&M left the shadow of Texas in the Big XII to enter into the shadow of Alabama in the SEC. Being in the shadow does not prevent A&M from being a very real SEC and national title contender. The Aggies are returning the reigning Heisman Trophy winner in quarterback Johnny Manziel and potential top overall pick in offensive lineman Jake Matthews. Wide receiver Mike Evans provides Manziel with a big target and their running game should be very good. Head Coach Kevin Sumlin proved he can win and has become a star on the recruiting trail. Texas A&M knocked off Alabama in Tuscaloosa last year and will play host to the Tide in College Station this year in a game that could determine who represents the west in the SEC Championship game.

Predicted W/L:

Aug. 31 vs Rice…..W

Sept. 7 vs Sam Houston State…..W

Sept. 14 vs Alabama…..L

Sept. 21 vs SMU…..W

Sept. 28 @ Arkansas…..W

Oct. 12 @ Ole Miss…..W

Oct. 19 vs Auburn…..W

Oct. 26 vs Vanderbilt…..W

Nov. 2 vs UTEP…..W

Nov. 9 vs Mississippi State…..W

Nov. 23 @ LSU…..W

Nov. 30 @ Missouri…..W

3. LSU 9-3 (5-3) Over/Under: 9.5 wins

One Word: Consistent

The LSU Tigers have been a model of consistency over the last decade plus. Since 2001, the Tigers have won an average 10.6 games per season with two BCS National Titles. Even though LSU has seemingly been passed by Texas A&M, make no mistake, the Bayou Bengals can play with anyone in the country. Their defense will take teams out of games and their running attack will pound their opponents into the ground. If LSU can get decent quarterback play, they will compete to win the SEC and national title.

Predicted W/L:

Aug. 31 vs TCU (Arlington)…..W

Sept. 7 vs UAB…..W

Sept 14 vs Kent State…..W

Sept. 21 vs Auburn…..W

Sept. 28 @ Georgia…..L

Oct. 5 @ Mississippi State…..W

Oct. 12 vs Florida…..W

Oct. 19 @ Ole Miss…..W

Oct. 26 vs Furman…..W

Nov. 9 @ Alabama…..L

Nov. 23 vs Texas A&M…..L

Nov. 30 vs Arkansas…..W

4. Ole Miss 7-5 (4-4) Over/Under: 8.5 wins

One Word: Emerging

Ole Miss surprised a lot of experts last year by winning seven games in Hugh Freeze’s first year as the head man in Oxford. The Rebels have an emerging program that many people expect to win 8-9 games this season. Freeze is welcoming a top-10 recruiting class which includes the number one player in the country Robert Nkimdiche. Quarterback Bo Wallace returns and has a potential All-SEC wide receiver in Dante Moncrief. The defense boasts linebacker Denzel Nkimdiche and the previously mentioned Robert Nkimdiche.

Predicted W/L:

Aug. 31 @ Vanderbilt…..L

Sept. 7 vs SE Missouri State…..W

Sept. 14 @ Texas…..L

Sept. 28 @ Alabama…..L

Oct. 5 @ Auburn…..W

Oct. 12 vs Texas A&M…..L

Oct. 19 vs LSU…..L

Oct. 26 vs Idaho…..W

Nov. 9 vs Arkansas…..W

Nov. 16 vs Troy…..W

Nov. 23 vs Missouri…..W

Nov. 30 @ Mississippi State…..W

5. Mississippi State 5-7 (2-6) Over/Under: 5.5 wins

One Word: Fading

Mississippi State has had a good couple of years under Dan Mullen, but their program seems to be fading a little in the tough West. After last season’s hot start in which they started 7-0, the Bulldogs finished 1-4 down the stretch. “The school up north,” their not so affectionate term for Ole Miss, has made a surge and Mississippi State will need to adjust or get left behind. State drops Tennessee from their schedule this season, but picks up a road game to South Carolina and the Bulldogs will face Oklahoma State in the season opener. Their road to another bowl bid will be a long one.

Predicted W/L:

Aug. 31 vs Oklahoma State (Houston)…..L

Sept. 7 vs Alcorn State…..W

Sept. 14 @ Auburn…..L

Sept. 21 vs Troy…..W

Oct. 5 vs LSU…..L

Oct. 12 vs Bowling Green…..W

Oct. 24 vs Kentucky…..W

Nov. 2 @ South Carolina…..L

Nov. 9 @ Texas A&M…..L

Nov. 16 vs Alabama…..L

Nov. 23 vs Arkansas (Little Rock)…..W

Nov. 30 vs Ole Miss…..L

6. Arkansas 5-7 (1-7) Over/Under: 5.5 wins

One Word: Identity

Arkansas will have to find out what their identity will be going forward. Last season after firing Bobby Petrino, they struggled to figure things out under John L. Smith. With newly hired Bret Bielema, the Razorbacks should be looking to get back to basics. Bielema’s Wisconsin teams were consistently good and proved they could compete with anyone. His first season might not be a very successful one, but he will right the ship there.

Predicted W/L:

Aug. 31 vs Louisiana Lafayette…..W

Sept. 7 vs Samford (Little Rock)…..W

Sept. 14 vs Southern Miss…..W

Sept. 21 @ Rutgers…..W

Sept. 28 vs Texas A&M…..L

Oct. 5 @ Florida…..L

Oct. 12 vs South Carolina…..L

Oct. 19 @ Alabama…..L

Nov. 2 vs Auburn…..W

Nov. 9 @ Ole Miss…..L

Nov. 23 vs Mississippi State (Little Rock)…..L

Nov. 30 @ LSU…..L

7. Auburn 5-7 (1-7) Over/Under: 6.5 wins

One Word: Future

The future of the Auburn program looks bright, as they have hired former offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn to be their new head coach. Malzahn was the offensive mastermind behind their national championship team in 2010. Their most recent recruiting class finished in the top-10 and many of those players should see immediate playing time. The Tigers will struggle this season, but the experience they accrue will be beneficial in the future.

Predicted W/L:

Aug. 31 vs Washington State…..W

Sept. 7 vs Arkansas State…..W

Sept 14 vs Mississippi State…..W

Sept 21 @ LSU…..L

Oct. 5 vs Ole Miss…..L

Oct. 12 vs Western Carolina…..W

Oct. 19 @ Texas A&M…..L

Oct. 26 vs Florida Atlantic…..W

Nov. 2 @ Arkansas…..L

Nov. 9 @ Tennessee…..L

Nov. 16 vs Georgia…..L

Nov. 30 vs Alabama…..L

SEC Championship Game:

Alabama vs Georgia

SEC Champion

Alabama

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