Ranking the SEC, from Bama to Vandy (and Georgia No. 4)
Mark Richt is confident Georgia can rebound from a tough summer and going 4-4 in the SEC.
Twelve head coaches stood at the podium during last week’s SEC media days. Shockingly, not one declared, “Thank goodness for Tums because this season could be an unmitigated disaster.”
There’s nothing like the optimism of July, when nobody has lost a game yet. So how do things really stand in the SEC? Here’s a loose guide. I’ve ranked the 12 schools by a combination of perceived current strength and the program’s direction. Feel free to debate.
Looking Down On The Villagers
♦ 1. ALABAMA: It was funny when Nick Saban lost to Louisiana-Monroe in 2007. There haven’t many opportunities to laugh since. Alabama is 16-0 in the SEC’s regular season in the last two seasons (it only lost to Florida in the 2008 conference title game). The Tide is coming off a BCS title and could repeat. Direction firmly established.
Nick Saban and Urban Meyer have established the SEC's pecking order
♦ 2. FLORIDA: The Gators are 26-2 with a BCS title in the last two seasons. To recruit, they open the front door. The only questions center on the health of their head coach (Urban Meyer) and the success of Tim Tebow’s replacement (John Brantley). But the program is too strong and too deep to expect a significant descent any time soon.
♦
A Step Below
♦ 3. LSU: Almost placed the Tigers fourth but they did win the BCS title only three years ago. The question is: How much of Les Miles’ early success was residual from the Saban era? His SEC records in his first three seasons: 7-1, 6-2, 6-2. In the last two (with most of Saban’s players gone): 3-5, 5-3. Miles is catching as much heat as Mark Richt. This year’s rebuilding effort includes replacing seven defensive starters. LSU fans want to see progress.
♦ 4. GEORGIA: Richt went 4-4 in the SEC in two of the last four years, not catastrophic. But the last four BCS champions came from the SEC. That changes the grading scale. The 2008 Bulldogs underachieved. The 2009 team was bad enough that Richt finally felt compelled to dump three assistants, including defensive coordinator Willie Martinez. This year’s team should fare well, partly because of an easier schedule. But there are questions at quarterback (freshman) and on defense (new scheme). Richt needs to firmly establish direction.
Usually Good For An Upset
Steve Spurrier hasn't cracked the elite at South Carolina like he did when he was at Florida.
♦ 5. SOUTH CAROLINA: Steve Spurrier made his mark on offense. His South Carolina teams have been strong on defense. Even he mused that for the first time in his career, he received a salary bonus for his team’s graduation rate, not a bowl game. South Carolina is a stable and competitive program with a great fan base. But Spurrier can’t recruit talented skill position players to Columbia. It wouldn’t be a shock if he retires after this season.
♦ 6. ARKANSAS: Every season there’s one team that’s overrated by media and fans. This year it’s Arkansas. The Razorbacks have a very good quarterback in Ryan Mallett. But what about the rest of the team? And the coach? Bobby Petrino was a success in Conference USA and the Big East. Big wow. He’s 5-11 in the SEC and, it should be noted, Arkansas wasn’t exactly a train wreck when he took over (Houston Nutt went 11-5 in conference in his last two seasons).
♦ 7. MISSISSIPPI: Almost put Ole Miss ahead of Arkansas. Nutt inherited a team that had four straight losing seasons and is 18-6 in two years. He has done better with Ed Orgeron’s players than Ed Orgeron did. But the Rebels have lost eight starters on offense.
♦ 8. AUBURN: The Tigers were a punch line when they hired Gene Chizik to replace Tommy Tuberville. But just because Auburn didn’t fold up last season (8-5, 3-5), let’s not assume greatness just yet. The Tigers went 2-5 after a 5-0 start before beating Northwestern in the Outback Bowl. This year’s quarterback, Cam Newton, has talent but also some baggage: He started at Florida but was suspended after being arrested and charged with stealing another student’s laptop. Bottom line: It’s too early to judge Chizik.
♦ 9. TENNESSEE: Derek Dooley inherited a mess, on and off the field. Dooley has all the makings to be a great head coach but he might be overmatched at this point of his career. The Volunteers are short on talent and too much of Dooley’s time right now is being occupied by just giving the team structure and discipline.
♦ 10. MISSISSIPPI STATE: Dan Mullen, a former Florida and Utah assistant, still needs to separate himself from Urban Meyer’s shadow. But he did a solid job in year one and made a terrific hire in defensive coordinator Manny Diaz (Middle Tennessee State). These Dogs may be moving up.
No Place To Go But Up
♦ 11. KENTUCKY: Joker Phillips usually had great offenses as an assistant, but this is a program that went 16-39 in the SEC under Rich Brooks. Three months to basketball practice.
♦ 12. VANDERBILT: New coach Robbie Caldwell has a lot of one-liners. He’ll need them.
♦
A look back at SEC media days
♦ Dooley calmly moving from one fire to next at Tennessee
♦ SEC media days: Tennessee and Dooley take center stage
♦ Spurrier’s lament: Team is better academically than on field
♦ Richt’s words, actions haven’t changed ugliness at Georgia
♦ SEC media days: Waiting on Richt as NCAA hovers at Georgia
♦ NCAA inquiry is the last thing Georgia and Mark Richt need
♦ It’s no coincidence Saban suddenly is concerned about agents
♦ SEC media days: Hey, who let the BCS in here?
♦ We’re LIVE at SEC media days (with no shortage of storylines)
♦ NCAA reportedly investigating Florida (but temper excitement)
♦ Can Dogs end Alabama-Florida monopoly in SEC title game?
♦
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358 comments Add your comment
K City Dog
July 25th, 2010
4:18 pm
Since Saban’s only finished in ther top 2 consecutively 1x in his entire coaching career, he’ll drop out of the top 10 this year. Probably finish #25. He lost too many players and defense, plays 6 SEC teams off a bye week, and Georgia is MUCH better in 2010 with 3 new coaches.
Gator Hater
July 25th, 2010
4:20 pm
Tide Rising, you sure assume a lot. Take a chill pill or try the decaf. Good grief.
Lee
July 25th, 2010
4:22 pm
The only thing I got is Richt has never had 2 bad years in a row, in over 2 decades. So no way he doesn’t improve.
The last 2 times richt had a bad year, 2001 & 2006, he finished in the top 3 in the country in 2002 & 2007, so I expect ANOTHER top 3 finish, like Richt awalys does after a bad season.
I don’t expect to see 40 fumbles & interceptions on offense this season.
I also expect Georgia to have a 100 yards rusher in every game, and Richt’s record is 40-3 when that happens. They might stop Caleb in some games, but I don’t see anybody stopping Caleb & Washaun, I expect 1 to be the hothand each game. Over the last 5 games, Georgia leads the SEC in rushing at about 250 yards a game.
John
July 25th, 2010
4:23 pm
Arkansas has an extremely talented group of receivers to go along with the QB as well as 17 returning starters. If they can improve the defense (which is the $60,000 question) and kicking game they’ll be a strong 2nd in the SEC West. For the most part this same team’s defense improved in the latter stages of last season and if not for a missed field goal or two, probably would have beaten Florida and LSU last year. If Georgia or Florida went 8-5 the previous season with 17 starters returning, then I don’t think you would call them overated coming into the next season. And by the way, Arkansas was a train wreck when Bobby Petrino took over. Houston Nutt left that program in horrible shape both on and off the field.
Paddy
July 25th, 2010
4:27 pm
John, no matter how many receivers QB’s or returning lettermen Arkansas has, they still have that coward as head coach! I know they won’t but I hope they lose every game. Atlanta’s all time villan!
Tide Rising
July 25th, 2010
4:28 pm
Gator Hater,
I’m pretty chilled on a Sunday afternoon. Just havin fun with ya. Relax.
K City Dog,
Nice stats. Seems coming into last year the stat that was real popular with you guys was that Saban had never won 10 games in back to back years. How did that work out for ya?
We lost most of our guys on defense? No. Not really. Of the supposed 9 new starters 5 of them have started a multiple number of games in their careers and have extensive playing experience in their regular defensive rotation.
Didn’t you guys say the same thing about our offense coming into the 2009 season. That we had 8 new starters to replace on offense? How did that work out???
TUCK FECH
July 25th, 2010
4:30 pm
At least we got some Tide, Gator, and SC fans here instead of a bunch of OBSESSING TECHIES!
Can’t wait for this season to get started in the SEC!
SEC ANALYST
July 25th, 2010
4:32 pm
Lee,
King and Ealey combined for over 1400 yds last year in 13 games. That means that there were a ton of games were neither of them let alone one of them rushed for over 100 yards. Its simple math really.
Lee
July 25th, 2010
4:33 pm
I have 0 concerns about the defense. Georgia has tremendous talent, and the coaching additions and change in philosophy were needed. Grantham is the guy that turned down Saban twice when asked to coach his defense (Mich St. & Miami) and has been coaching Alabama in the off-seasons. He’s good, as in REALLY good. He brings a track reocrd of instant turnarounds with Colts & Browns. The 3-4 is SOO confusing, not only because 1 of 4 blitzers is coming, but also because of ZONE BLITZING, DL’s dropping back into coverage, LB’s rushing. It’s a nightmare, complex, and will drive offenses nuts. Remember, Grantham is the guy Saban though enough of to turn his defense over, twice.
Belin’s LB’s are all-conference and special teams tackling will improve because of Belin. Lakatos’s pass efficeincy is top 10 at UConn and he shut down South Carolina, which I expect a repeat in September.
17 of 20
July 25th, 2010
4:36 pm
Florida has the best offensive and defensive lines in the conference and I expect the Gators to win the championship again this year.
Gratefuldawghead
July 25th, 2010
4:37 pm
Agree with Lee on Grantham. It will be awsome to have a coach that knows how to put pressure on the QB. Fired up about this season.
SEC ANALYST
July 25th, 2010
4:38 pm
Lee,
Nick Saban is not a football god. Could it be that he was about to make a mistake in hiring Grantham? He didn’t hire Grantham and as a result Grantham went to the browns and led them to 2 consecutive 30th place defensive finishes in the nfl. And don’t give me no crap about can’t no one win in Cleveland. Everyone knows the talent in the Nfl is spread out fairly evenly.
And if Grantham is sooooo good why was he the 5th choice of Richt behind Kirby, Bud Foster, John Chavis, Muschamp. When they picked him up he wasn’t even a D coordinator. He had been demoted to a position coach. Nice try on trying to build his credentials by bringing up Satan.
K City Dog
July 25th, 2010
4:40 pm
The 2010 Georgia squad is REALLY different.
Ealey & King were together as a tandem the last 5 games, and dominated every team they played. That will continue. the O-Line is also deeper and healthier, and more experienced. #1 most experienced in NCAA with 155 starts.
Defense is now a 3-4 with 3 new coaches, and new players in new positions. The 3-4 is excellent for defending the spread (ask Florida), and also good against the pass (ask Arkansas).
Georgia is just a much better team in 2010, defense BIG TIME improvement, running game, at 250 a pop, really is best in SEC over last 5 games, top 5 in NCAA.
New QB, Joe Cox was an interception machine. Aaron Murray is a huge upgrade and can also run, which makes him a dual threat.
DP
July 25th, 2010
4:44 pm
Grantham has been coaching Alabama in the off seasons? Where do you Delusional Dawgs come up with this stuff?
With regard to Spurrier not being able to recruit any skill position players at South Carolina, he had a pretty good receiver in Sidney Rice (now with the Vikings) and currently has an outstanding one in Alshon Jeffery. What he’s lacked is a running game, but he’s finally landed a big recruit there with Lattimore. If South Carolina is ever going to break through this is the year to do it.
Gratefuldawghead
July 25th, 2010
4:44 pm
I would say the rankings are fair Jeff with no one playing a game yet.
Pi$$onaDawg ..U are a Class-less B@stard.
Lee
July 25th, 2010
4:44 pm
Saban’s brought Grantham in every off-seaosn to teach Alabama how to run the 3-4. Saban offered the defensive head coach position to Grantham and Miami & Mich St. If you think Cleveland is a great place to coach ask Bill Billachek, he’s an excellent coach, who flopped in Cleveland.
Grantham helped the Colts, Browns, & Cowboys ALL have their best year, in 15 years, whil he was on staff. Colts went form 3-13 to 13-3 Grantham’s 1st year, Browns went from 4-10 to 10-6 in Grantham’s 1st year. Browns are losers. No one can help the Browns.
The AJC ranks the SEC teams, Cats No 11 « Bleed Blue Kentucky
July 25th, 2010
4:46 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution ranks the SEC teams and has the Cats at No 11. As usual the Cats get no respect, even though they [...]
Delbert D.
July 25th, 2010
4:46 pm
I’d say Kentucky at 9th, ahead of Miss. St. Dan Mullen will improve the Bulldogs, but it won’t be that noticeable this year. Tennessee will be at the bottom unfortunately. Derek Dooley has a 2-3 year struggle ahead, and I believe that more players will be suspended. Oh, yeah, Vandy. Below the bottom this year.
Ole Miss will probably get a bowl invite due to their worst-in-the-SEC OOC schedule (Jacksonville St., Tulane*, Fresno St., UL-Lafayette). Arkansas will pad their bowl chances with 2nd worse OOC sked (Tenn. Tech, UL-Monroe, Texas A&M*, UTEP).
Tide Rising
July 25th, 2010
4:46 pm
Lee,
Todd Grantham coaches the Alabama defense during the offseasons? What? I thought we already had a defensive coordinator and other coaches. Its possible he was one of many coaches who do clinics at different teams but I think its a stretch to say he coaches Alabama’s defense in the offseason. Saban has had a number of coaches come and do mini 2 day clinics and I suspect Grantham may be one of several but I’ve never heard that he was our defensive coach.
I don’t get it with some of you dawg fan’s obsession with Nick Saban. On the one hand some of you dawg fans talk about how overrated he is at a coach and use some weird stats to say he’s really not a great coach after all. Then in the same breath you talk about how great Grantham must be because the great Nick Saban wanted him to coach not once but twice. He must be good if a coach like Nick Saban wanted him seems to be the idea a lot of you push. So Saban’s not a great coach but Grantham must be because Saban wanted him to coach under him at one time? Man do you guys got some convoluted, twisted logic going on or what?
DP
July 25th, 2010
4:47 pm
Yeah, Saban needs Grantham to teach him the 3-4 defense. Are you on drugs?
cadilac
July 25th, 2010
4:47 pm
auburn brings most everybody back, has kept the coaching staff together, had bama on the ropes last season, and should be have more depth this season; should be fifth.
MikeP
July 25th, 2010
4:48 pm
By Jeff Schultz: “This year’s quarterback, Cam Newton, has talent but also some baggage: He started at Florida but was suspended after being arrested and charged with stealing another student’s laptop….”
I’m disappointed. I know blog commenters don’t bother to check facts but I thought a professional journalist would do some elementary research before letting a lie get into print under his name. Or did you judge the fact that Newton was found to be innocent of stealing the laptop not worthy of comment?
Lee
July 25th, 2010
4:48 pm
I have 0 concerns about the QB position at Georgia. Love Murray, Love Gray, love Mason. We can win a National Championship with any one of them. Murray & Gray are both Elite 11 QB’s, and Mason is a Parade All-American. Mason might actually have te best Pro career, but the only weay he’ll get a chance this year is if Murray gets hurt or stuggles with interceptions.
I feel absolutely certain we will have a jam up QB by Oct. 30 and be 7-1 or 8-0 heading into the Florida game. And we’ll win that game this year. Easily.
NOBODYYOUKNOW
July 25th, 2010
4:50 pm
Say what you want about the old ball coach and the Univ. of South Carolina.But I say KUDO’S and good job for increasing the coach’s salary for the graduating rate of the players. I wish more schools would do the same.
Dawghater
July 25th, 2010
4:51 pm
Typical Dawg fans. It’s a “Preseason Guess” not results of your season of work. Let’s see where Auburn ends up vs. UGA. I’ll put my money on Auburn, so enjoy your preseason rankings.
SEC ANALYST
July 25th, 2010
4:52 pm
K City Dawg,
Ealey and King dominated the last 5 games they played. Who were all these juggernaut defenses they dominated? Texas A&M one of the worst defenses in college football? Tennessee tech a double A team? GT which isn’t exactly known for a big time rushing defense?
What did they do against Florida?
Gratefuldawghead
July 25th, 2010
4:53 pm
Dawghater…Fear the THUMB!
SEC ANALYST
July 25th, 2010
4:55 pm
Lee,
Grantham was just a position coach at the colts and cowboys. Its not as if he ran things. At Cleveland his defense were ranked 30th before he was fired as d coordinator. Just the facts sir. If Cleveland finished 10-6 it was because of offense and not a D that finished 30th in the NFL Duh!
DP
July 25th, 2010
4:55 pm
OK, I get it now Lee, you’re doing a satire of a Delusional Dawg fan. The “we can win a National Championship with Logan Gray” and projection of a pro career for the lightly recruited “Mason” (actually Matson) gave you away.
Well done.
K City Dog
July 25th, 2010
4:55 pm
If you look at special teams, offense, and defense, Georgia is the most balanced and excellent team in the country. There are no weaknesses on this team from a talent level, or coaching level. I will be shocked if they don’t really surprise some people this year.
Bobalou
July 25th, 2010
4:55 pm
JS, in what way is 3P stretching the definition of “skill position?” He listed RBs, WRs, QBs and TEs.
Agree that Garcia has been erratic, but he did pretty well for a first year starter last year. UGA has similar QB talent (based upon high school reps), but no real experience. Unless they can dominate early in the year in the running game, they will be off to a tough start, despite the talent at receiver.
USC’s biggest ?, by far, is the O line, not the skill positions.
Pi$$onaDawg
July 25th, 2010
4:55 pm
BYE jess before I get in trouble. did you get the Email? HHAHAH nice T-n-T & A. hahahahah.
Pi$$onaDawg
July 25th, 2010
4:56 pm
sorry! BYE JEFF S.
K City Dog
July 25th, 2010
4:56 pm
Georgia averaged bout 250 a game rushing voer last 5 games, Bama & Florida couldn’t break 200.
TUCK FECH
July 25th, 2010
4:57 pm
Pi$$onaDawg…Don’t Blame the 911 attacks and politics on UGA. Do Blame IGNORANCE on yourself! Really!
Pi$$onaDawg
July 25th, 2010
4:58 pm
greatfuldawghead I know my mom and dad they were married. Can your LSD mind say you know all the kids you have?
Lee
July 25th, 2010
4:59 pm
I acutally believe Logan Gray gives Georgia the best chance to win a National Championship. He has more experience, he’s less injury prone than Murray, and he’s a dual threat. He’s a better ahtlete, faster, and protected the ball better than Murray over the Spring. Logan’s a team guy. I have a feeling, Murray will try to be a heor in the South Carolina or Arkansas game, and throw 2 interceptions, and then Gray or Mason will get their chance. Yes, Hutson Mason is incredible and his 55 td’s against 5 int’s last season were awesome.
Lee
July 25th, 2010
5:01 pm
To blame Cleveland’s problems on Grantham, is to blame Billchek’s record at Cleveland on Billachek. That’s like Schultz trying to blame Richt for all of Georgia’s ills.
DIT
July 25th, 2010
5:02 pm
Not a bad list Jeff. Even being a Dawg person I would still have to switch UGA & SC. I don’t agree with LSU. Just a gut feeling, but Auburn, Arky & Bama will beat them this year.
question
July 25th, 2010
5:03 pm
Some of you dogs keep saying Murrey is an upgrade to Cox. Since no daug fan has seen him in sec action (other than the reported poor spring thingy), what make him an upgrade?
ps; do not underestimate SC this year. A senior QB vs a non proven injury prone new one.
Gratefuldawghead
July 25th, 2010
5:04 pm
Lee Aaron Murray did WIN Urban Meyer’s QB camp and the Elite 11 QB camp! I am still very thankful for Logan Gray and Hutson Mason. I think any of these men can get it done with our “O” Line!
GO DAWGS!
Dawgs Run This State!
July 25th, 2010
5:04 pm
Tide Rising has a Nick Saban pillow.
Tiny Tim Tebow
July 25th, 2010
5:05 pm
Lee, you’ll be 7 and 1, or 8 and 0 going into the Fla. game? And easily beat the GATORS? I know you jawja fans should be optimistic about your dawgs but you’re dreaming dude.Just because Timmy left you guys think the Gators are gonna lay down and die. Wake up and smell the Gatoraid my friend. See ya in Jacksonville.
FUZZUP
July 25th, 2010
5:06 pm
Now seriously, just how tall is Murray????
Pi$$onaDawg
July 25th, 2010
5:08 pm
Tuck Fech are you stupid? I didn’t blame anything on UGA. I COMPARED UGA’s Arrogance to the US’s Arrogance to think a lil team/counrty couldn’t take you down. DIDN’T the UGA faithful leave (Sanford in the 4th qtr with a win possible) the Kentucky game? THAT is close to the US withdrawl from Vietnam. If we don’t see we are losing it didn’t happen.
USC beats the mutts and Arkiesaw beats the mutts. USC finishes #2 in the East and Arkiesaw finishes #5 in the West. AUBURN will kill the butt lickers and I hope Russ is done having his butt painted by that time. UGA VIII should be on his way to a losing record by the Auburn game. UM uga VIII taste like chicken.
Gratefuldawghead
July 25th, 2010
5:09 pm
Tiny Tim Tebow…EALEY will be wearing a FULL FACEMASK this year for them Cheating Eye Gouging Gators!
Billy Knight
July 25th, 2010
5:11 pm
What’s the overall series vs SC? Aren’t they right on our tails
??? SMH… COME ON LAMECO*KS
RomeDawg
July 25th, 2010
5:12 pm
I think you’ve about nailed it. If it wasn’t for LSU’s title they would be 4. I do think you may have Auburn a slot or 3 low, though.
FUZZUP – atleast as tall as Joe Hamilton.
Bari
July 25th, 2010
5:12 pm
Schultz failed to mention that any or all of UGA’s starters could be arrested and suspended/dismissed before or during the season. With 42 players arrested in the last three years, it’s almost certain that Richt will lose 2-3 starters to arrests.
And at least one of his players will be stopped by the police and found to have a pair of red panties. Unfortunately, the player will be wearing the panties.
Mr. Sulu
July 25th, 2010
5:13 pm
Bue bye Mark Richt this is your last season with UGA!