College Football 2006: The SEC

The Southeastern Conference should once again be loaded with talent and top quality teams in 2006. Five or six teams could win the conference and as many as nine could be good enough to reach a bowl game.

If the SEC isn't the toughest conference in the country - name me a better one? This year should be even stronger than last with loads of incoming talent and many veteran stars returning. The conference is without a doubt the strongest from top to bottom in the land.

In the East, Urban Meyer begins season number two in Florida with his spread option attack. If Chris Leak can master an offense he struggled with last season, look out for the Gators. Georgia is solid, Tennessee should bounce back from a disappointing season and watch out for Steve Spurrier and his fun and gun offense in South Carolina.

In the West, Auburn and LSU are not only conference favorites, but each squad has a legitimate shot at the national title as well. Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi are all bowl capable squads who could surprise if things fall just right. Here's a look at the SEC for 2006.

SEC Standings:

East:
1. Florida - The Gators have had a full year to learn Meyer's spread option offense and with senior quarterback Chris Leak (2,639 yards, 20 TDs) leading the way, big things are expected from Florida this season. Chad Jackson is gone, but Andre Caldwell returns from injury and Dallas Baker (52-697-5) and Jemalle Cornelius are back as well. The offensive line needs to be rebuilt, only one starter returns, but this years line is more athletic according to Meyer. Seven starters return on defense led by DE Jarvis Moss and linebackers Earl Everett and Brandon Siler. The key to the defense this season will come from the secondary where three starters have to be replaced. Add to that a recruiting class that was rated best in the nation (QB Tim Tebow, WR Percy Harvin) and it's easy to see why big things are expected from the Gators.

2. Georgia - Head coach Mark Richt has led the Bulldogs to three SEC East championships and four Top 10 finishes in his five years at the helm. This season the continued success of the program will depend on who and how the new starting quarterback performs. After four years of David Greene and with D.J. Shockley last season, Georgia is without a bona fide number one. Four candidates are in the mix, including senior Joe Tereshinski, sophomore Blake Barnes, redshirt frosh Joe Cox and much-ballyhooed, true freshman Matthew Stafford. Top runners Thomas Brown (736 yards), Danny Ware (429 yards) and Kregg Lumpkin all return, as well as top wideout Mohamed Massaquoi. The defense is solid despite returning only five starters. If Richt can find a quarterback to take control of the offense, the Bulldogs will give the Gators a run for their money.

3. Tennessee - The wheels fell of the Volunteers last season as coach Phil Fulmer had his worst season at Tennessee. Fulmer's first order of business in the offseason was to hire David Cutcliffe back as offensive coordinator. Cutcliffe was OC with the Vols from 1993-98 and Tennessee went 63-11, won two SEC titles and the 1998 national championship. The offense returns seven starters and Erick Ainge, who split time with Rick Clausen last season, has been given the reigns to the offense. Arian Foster (879 yards) came in for the injured Gerald Riggs, Jr. last season and shined. The defense returns with the secondary intact, but the front seven needs to be rebuilt. The Vols get Cal and Florida early so they need to be ready.

4. South Carolina - The Fun 'N Gun of Steve Spurrier worked its magic in his first season as the Gamecocks closed out the campaign with a 7-5 mark and a berth in the Independence Bowl. With a veteran offense returning, look for the South Carolina to be even more potent this season. Blake Mitchell (2,370 yards, 17 TDs) is back at QB with leading receiver Sidney Rice (70-1,143-13) is back in the fold as well. The running game gets a boost with the return of Cory Boyd, who missed all of last season, and leading rusher Mike Davis (666-5). The defense is young and inexperienced and will improve as time goes on. South Carolina should have a winning season, but are probably a year away from contending for the title.

5. Kentucky - Coach Rich Brooks is a dismal 9-25 in three years with the Wildcats, but there is reason for optimism in Lexington. Nine starters return on offense, including dynamic RB Rafael Little (1,045 yards, nine TDs, 46 receptions), while seven are back on defense. That experience, coupled with a strong recruiting class should have Kentucky better its 3-8 mark from a year ago.

6. Vanderbilt - The good news for Vandy is that the offense returns seven starters, including deep threat Earl Bennett (79-876-9), and is a bigger, faster unit than a year ago. The bad news, Jay Cutler is gone and the schedule is a killer. Add to that a defense in transition and it's going to be hard for the Commodores to post their first winning season since 1982.

West:
1. Auburn - The Tigers are loaded once again under Tommy Tuberville and with a schedule that sees LSU, Arkansas, Florida and Georgia coming to Jordan-Hare, Auburn is one of the favorites in the hunt for the national championship. Junior QB Brandon Cox (2,324 yards, 15 TDs) and running back Kenny Irons (1,293-13), along with four starters back on the offensive line, will be even more explosive in 2006. The Tigers lost their top three receivers, but Courtney Taylor is back from an ankle injury and Tommy Trott and Tim Hawthorne have tons of potential. The defense is smaller than before, but deadly fast. David Irons and Jonathan Wilhite are solid in the secondary, while Quentin Groves, Marquies Gunn and Will Herring lead the front seven. Auburn should pick up right where it left off in 2006.

2. LSU - Tons of talent abound at LSU and second-year coach Les Miles will reap the benefits of it. The Tigers are loaded and deep at every position except offensive line. Seven starters return on an offense led by junior QB JaMarcus Russell (2,443 yards, 15 TDs). Matt Flynn and redshirt freshman Ryan Perrilloux are waiting in the wings and make up the best QB threesome in college football. Joseph Addai has gone to the NFL, but Alley Broussard, who missed all last year with an injury and Justin Vincent (488-5) return. Dwayne Bowe (41-710-9) and Craig Davis (35-559) lead the receiving corps. The offensive line lost three starters and must be rebuilt. The defense is lead by All-American safety LaRon Landry and corner Chevis Jackson. The defensive line must try to find replacements for Claude Wroten and Kyle Williams at tackle. If both lines can come together, LSU could be playing for the national title come January.

3. Alabama - Mike Shula has brought the Crimson Tide back to national prominence after going 10-2 last season. Bama won last year with a defense that surrendered the fewest points in the nation (10.7 ppg) and the leadership of QB Brodie Croyle. Seven starters are gone from that defense along with Croyle, but don't feel sorry for Alabama just yet. The offense returns nine starters including RB Kenneth Darby (1,242 yards) and explosive wideouts D.J. Hall (48-676-5) and Tyrone Prothro. Inexperienced sophomore John Parker Wilson must step up and be productive at quarterback. The defense will be led by LB Juwan Simpson and DE Bobby Greenwood. The Tide face a tough schedule, but if Parker and the new-look defense can adjust, Alabama will roll on into another bowl berth.

4. Arkansas - The Razorbacks return 17 starters, including nine on offense and that has people buzzing around Fayetteville. Arkansas lost four games last season by four points or fewer and could have very easily been 8-3 instead of 4-7. Head coach Houston Nutt caused further excitement for Razorback fans when he landed QB Mitch Mustain and his favorite target, WR Damien Williams in a recruiting coup. Mustain, who threw for 3,817 yards and 47 TDs last season, was rated by some scouts as the top high school football player in the country. He will compete with returning starter Casey Dick and Robert Johnson for the job. Darren McFadden (1,113-11) returns at RB after a stellar freshman campaign. The defense is led by All-SEC DT Keith Jackson and Lombardi Trophy contender Sam Olajubutu at linebacker.

5. Mississippi - Two transfers figure to be the main cogs for the Ole Miss Rebels in 2006. Brent Schaefer, former starting QB at Tennessee, takes over the reigns of the Rebel attack and will be joined by RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who transferred from Indiana. Mico McSwain (612 yards) will back up Ellis at tailback. The offensive line has improved, but Ole Miss lost its top four receivers from a year ago. The defense is experienced and bigger all around up front, while Patrick Ellis, arguably the best linebacker in college football, anchors that unit. Three starters return in the secondary. An easy start to the schedule has Mississippi positioned for a bowl game in 2006.

6. Mississippi State - Head coach Sylvester Croom has his deepest and most talented group since he came to Starkville two years ago. Nineteen starters are back, including 10 on defense. The problem for the Bulldogs is the lack of talent at the QB and RB positions. All-everything tailback Jerious Norwood is off to the pros and that leaves the job open to sophomores Brandon Thornton and Brandon Hart or freshman Anthony Dixon. Sophomore Michael Henig or frosh Tray Rutland will battle for the starting quarterback job. The lack of depth at the top skill positions and a murderous schedule will keep Mississippi State from reaching the .500 mark once again.


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