The SEC in 2009: Every game picked, one or two correctly!
We’re 17 days from kickoff, and already I know how The Only League That Matters will go. I know because I’ve applied the special Bradley brand of forecasting and come up with this detailed look at the SEC in 2009. Read it quickly, lest I run afoul of the league’s new media policy. (Section 3-a-iii: No writer can mention our school’s names without first slipping Verne Lundquist 10 bucks.)
SEC East
1. Florida: I don’t know how Urban Meyer does it. Every other year he takes a bunch of no-names and wins the national championship. This year, however, he’ll fall just short. He’ll win the first 13 games and then lose No. 14. Regular season: 12-0. SEC title game: Beats LSU. BCS title game: Loses to Texas.
2. Georgia: Joe Cox will be better than Joe Tereshinski III but less good than D.J. Shockley. A loss in Stillwater on Sept. 5 will set the tone for a solid season by most standards but a middling one by Mark Richt’s. Regular season: 8-4, losses to Oklahoma State, LSU, Florida and Georgia Tech. Outback Bowl: Beats Michigan.
3. South Carolina: The Gamecocks will start 0-2, which will set off speculation that Steve Spurrier will quit after the season. They’ll get better thereafter, but not so much better that Spurrier decides to stick around in 2010. Regular season: 7-5, losses to N.C. State, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas and Florida. Music City Bowl: Beats Miami.
4. Kentucky: Rich Brooks has taken the Wildcats to bowl games the past three seasons, and who said he was a lousy hire? (Actually, me.) This year Kentucky beats Tennessee for the first time since 1984. Regular season: 7-5, losses to Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, Auburn and Georgia. Liberty Bowl: Beats Southern Miss.
5. Vanderbilt: Every half-century the Commodores up and win a bowl game. Last year’s victory over Boston College in the Music City Bowl will have to suffice until, say, 2060. But Vandy will get a consolation prize: It’ll upset Georgia Tech. Regular season: 5-7, losses to Mississippi State, LSU, Ole Miss, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida and Kentucky.
6. Tennessee: Lane Kiffin is the new coach. He’s a humble sort of fellow. His humility will be tested. He’ll finish 4-8, one game worse than in the record that season saw Phillip Fulmer shoved out the door. But UT will win on Signing Day, which is all that counts. Regular season: 4-8, losses to UCLA, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Kentucky.
SEC West
1. LSU: The best hire by any SEC school over the offseason — better than Chizik, better even than Kiffin — was the Tigers nabbing defensive coordinator John Chavis, who kept Tennessee afloat the past decade. He’ll put things right posthaste. Regular season: 11-1, loss to Florida. SEC title game: Loses to Florida. Capital One Bowl: Beats Penn State.
2. Alabama: The Tide got a bit ahead of itself last season by rising to No. 1 in the land, but it’ll be in the top five when LSU arrives in Tuscaloosa on Nov. 7. Then it’ll drop out. But there’s a national title coming soon. Regular season: 11-1, loss to LSU. Sugar Bowl: Loses to Oklahoma.
Loading ...3. Arkansas: Hate him all you want, but Bobby Petrino can coach. And here’s where he gets it rolling and becomes the toast of the Ozarks. Then, being Bobby Petrino, he’ll leave to coach the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Regular season: 8-4, losses to Georgia, Alabama, Florida and LSU. Cotton Bowl: Beats Oklahoma State.
4. Ole Miss: The chic pick to win the West, but it won’t happen. The schedule sets up nicely — both LSU and Alabama come to Oxford — but the team isn’t quite that good. A Sept. 24 upset loss in Columbia will grease the chute. Regular season: 8-4, losses to South Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas and LSU. Chick-fil-A Bowl: Loses to Virginia Tech.
5. Auburn: Gene Chizik is the new Tiger coach, and I think I speak for everyone when I say, “Gene Chizik?” But give G-Chiz this: Alongside Lane Kiffin, he looks like Lombardi. And he does have that limo thing going for him. Regular season: 6-6, losses to Tennessee, Arkansas, LSU, Ole Miss, Georgia and Alabama. Independence Bowl: Loses to Missouri.
6. Mississippi State: Dan Mullen has a great pedigree, having coached alongside Urban Meyer. Dan Mullen now has a great impediment — he’s coaching the other Bulldogs. He seems a good hire. Then again, so did Sylvester Croom. Regular season: 4-8, losses to Auburn, LSU, Georgia Tech, Florida, Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas and Ole Miss.
And now a word from Verne Lundquist: Actually, it’s still me. Due to my periodic bout of temporary insanity, I did not, in the first take of this post, have a winner in the Georgia-Arkansas, Tennessee-Florida or Tennessee-Auburn games. Actually, I had them in my mind, but I neglected to make them show up above. They’re here now — Georgia over Arkansas, which finishes 8-4; Florida over Tennessee, which finishes 4-8 and finishes sixth in the East, and Tennessee over Auburn, which finishes 6-6 but is still bowl-eligible.
Thanks to all those who pointed out the omissions/errors. I’m in your debt. And I am sorry. There’s no excuse for sloppiness. Except the usual one: That I’m a big fat idiot.
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330 comments Add your comment
G2Rhett (Colorado Springs)
August 19th, 2009
10:14 am
Sick and Tired…
I am beyond sick and tired of hearing about Lord Tebow, Urban Meyer, and his Mighty Florida Gators. It makes me want to puke! I hope with all my heart that the Gators are undefeated when they meet up with Georgia in Jacksonville on 31 October. And I pray to God that the Bulldogs (to steal some words from Larry Munson) stomp their face with a hobnailed boot and break their nose! I hope that we crush their face!
The Truth
August 19th, 2009
10:15 am
Gulag-Georgia Tech’s football team was seventh in the ACC in GPA average…Georgia’s football team was first in the SEC ahead of even Vandy. A diploma from Tech is worthless in todays business market.Companies hire people with good business and people skills and most of all, common sense ….something that you can’t get or find at Tech. Just walk around the Tech campus and see what you find. Most of their students can’t even speak english and the rest just want to rob you or sell you drugs.
reebok
August 19th, 2009
10:15 am
Tech fan here…wait a sec…you are saying that Okie State will beat Georgia but will lose to Arkansas? I’d love to believe that Arkansas is better than UGA, but I don’t…
David
August 19th, 2009
10:15 am
Amazing piece of reporting, maybe even Pulitzer-worthy! Bravo Mr. Bradley!
gtforever
August 19th, 2009
10:16 am
UGA will blow OKS away! Joe Cox is a winner. I still think our game is a toss up, but UGA is much better than everybody thinks…
gtforever
August 19th, 2009
10:17 am
The Truth, Are you that STUPID!?
jumbeauxtiger
August 19th, 2009
10:18 am
Mark, it’s 15 days from today and not 10 days when the first games are played on Thurs, Sept 3.
Any of us can make predictions but as we will find out the season will have its share of surprises. LSU could be great, good or average like a handful of other SEC teams. It should be an exciting season for all us of though.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
Honestly
August 19th, 2009
10:20 am
…how do you justify Georgia losing to Ok State, but Arkansas beating them in the bowl game? Arkansas’ defense is terrible compared to Georgia’s (and we all know how badly we played defense last year). Unless you’ve decided that Robinson, Bryant, Hunter, and their offensive linemen have all be injured at this point, your prediction doesn’t even make sense, just mindless rambling. You have actually looked at the teams right, or do you just pick them based on which one has the prettiest colors to you?!?!
who's the editor for this cr*p??
August 19th, 2009
10:21 am
Sloppy journalism…..like a hack wrote this
have some respect for your profession. i’m not sure who’s more responsible for this garbage, you or your editor?
Ryan
August 19th, 2009
10:24 am
Mark predicts LSU to lose to UF twice but miraculously finish 11-1. How can you predict games when you can’t do math?
Nativebird
August 19th, 2009
10:26 am
Not bad MB! however, if my beloved Gators stumble, it’ll most likely happen at LSU or another mighty mistep in a trap game, like Ol’miss last year. But if the mighty Gators get to BCS title game, they will not lose it. They just don’t do that. Texas should hope they stumble long before then, Mcoy will be good in the title game, but irrelevent, as was Bradford last year.
braves4ver
August 19th, 2009
10:26 am
this is the dumbest thing i have ever read there is no credibility i would be surprised if you knew anything about football at all. kentucky will be garbage and ole miss will not lose 5 games with their cupcake schedule and south carolina has no offense what to speak of with an underachieving QB and no RB’s at all. might want to do a little research before writing your articles
Knibb High Principal
August 19th, 2009
10:26 am
Mark, what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever read. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having read it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
bowman
August 19th, 2009
10:26 am
Sad. Since the AJC sportswriters have gone blog first, print second, the quality of journalism has fallen dramatically. This blog is a sad example, written to drive readership rather than to inspire debate. Really sad. You can do better, Mark, and we have more respect for you when you do.
bowman
– -
“Art will always be Art.” – Goethe
murfdawg
August 19th, 2009
10:28 am
Mark,
I know you have a difficult job trying to write something meningful about football, but I appreciate your effort.
How long before basketball practice starts in Kentucky?
Lars Taint
August 19th, 2009
10:28 am
Mark Bradley,
You’re crazy. I like you, but you’re crazy.
dellrott
August 19th, 2009
10:30 am
Wait, wait, wait, wait, WAIT. Vandy beats Tech, but Georgia doesn’t?
Ugafan
August 19th, 2009
10:31 am
Mark, you sir are a choch bag
N.GA.DAWG
August 19th, 2009
10:38 am
mark, u r a DA
confused
August 19th, 2009
10:39 am
LSU beats Bama and each finish 11-1, but Bama goes to the Sugar Bowl & LSU plays in the Capital One?!
Monte Kiffin will keep the UT defense sound, if not better, and the Vols finish a respectable (comparatively speaking) 8-4. Orgeron is a solid asst. coach and will get the guys motivated enough to win a few games they would’ve lost in recent years. Give Lane credit enough to hire good coaches around him.
Alex H.
August 19th, 2009
10:40 am
Mark…ouch…you obviously hit a nerve with this blog. There must be a lot of SEC fans who are auditors, because they demand absolute numerical precision. I generally agree with your team rankings, although I hope that Kentucky goes above and beyond this year and wins a few more than expected. It’ll oughta be a fun season to watch. I hope you predict the ACC soon as well.
TROTTINGHOMETUDD
August 19th, 2009
10:41 am
CAN’T BELIEVE THIS ARTICLE GOT CLEARANCE TO BLOG ON.
MB is another Herschel Walker(9:17 post). Except MB thinks Jan Kemp actually helped him.
HH
August 19th, 2009
10:42 am
If you are correct about UGA, poor old Willie is history, despite his Significant Other, and the seat of Significant Other’s breeches is going to heat up considerably. He may even want to learn the words to the old song, “Ring of Fire”.
clemsonfan01
August 19th, 2009
10:44 am
clemson should join the SEC and show you all how to play some football
TROTTINGHOMETUDD
August 19th, 2009
10:44 am
Alex H. …..You aRE a brown noser, boot licking, heaD BOWING, PORK CHOP BONE SUCKING gEORGIA TECH GRADUATE!!!!
Buck Strickland
August 19th, 2009
10:44 am
I predict UF, UGA, OK ST., LSU and Bama will all go 12-0, win the SEC championship and defeat a 13-0 Texas in the National Championship game. Bradley math, gotta love it!
Spivey
August 19th, 2009
10:45 am
Do you even have a degree in Journalism???? Check your facts dumb a$$!
Go Dawgs !
Joe
August 19th, 2009
10:45 am
What games are next weekend? How are we only 10 days away? My schedule says the first game is Sept 3.
utfaninga
August 19th, 2009
10:45 am
Dude you SERIOUSLY need to proof your work. Is Auburn and UT going to play like 30 OT’s and then just quit and call it a tie? There has to be a winner Mark. HELLO? And if you think UT is going to lose to UCLA at home..and Vandy…and SC…ALL AT HOME? Dude..I know we are rebuilding…but seriously…
Okefenokee Dawg
August 19th, 2009
10:47 am
Don’t worry Mark, I still like you. You make me feel smart.
Buck Strickland
August 19th, 2009
10:48 am
Seriously though, I think Auburn goes 10-2 or 9-3 and surprises some folks. Just hopefully not the Dawgs. Auburn always seems to have a pretty good year when you least expect it…
jddawg37
August 19th, 2009
10:50 am
Did you take your Seroquel today?
David
August 19th, 2009
10:52 am
The Peach Bowl gets the 3rd pick from the SEC school, depending if the BCS takes two teams from the SEC. They will take UGA if they have an 8-4 record.
Matt
August 19th, 2009
10:53 am
Dawgfan@ 9:12— no complaints here from an LSU fan. That’s how the bowl system works. The loser of the SECCG game usually goes to the Capital One Bowl with the #3 or 4 team from the SEC jumping up to the Sugar Bowl. It didn’t happen last year because Bama was a clear cut #2 in the SEC (and the Media loves them). But it has happened before to LSU. Actually, LSU lost to UGA and got sent here to the Peach Bowl in 2005. I’m sure Miami remembers that game!! No biggie, plus, there just some joes predictions.
Otto
August 19th, 2009
10:54 am
I can see Tenn. beating Vandy but I think they get swept by Bama, UF, Ole Miss and UGA. Auburn is a question mark.
I didn’t see SOS being on the hot seat but after looking at the schedule if he does not start 2-0 he could very well be gone after this season. However, who does S. Car get to take over? They have facilities but no recruiting base and no iconic history.
hsf
August 19th, 2009
10:54 am
Tennessee will likely be the most improved team in the nation, but they will not win at Gainesville. 8 games at Neyland will be 8 W’s. Look for 9-3 at worst.
Will
August 19th, 2009
10:54 am
Mark, we are all more stupid after having to read this blog. Try double checking your work before you post it.
GT B Smash
August 19th, 2009
10:54 am
That was an awful piece. Should have been titled, “Proof I have no credibility and no idea what I’m talking about.”
reality check
August 19th, 2009
10:55 am
The media’s love affair with Oklahoma State tells me a lot of them have never heard the axiom that it is defense that wins games and championships…at any level.
Oklahoma State has excellent offensive stats, but they are putting up those numbers in the Big 12. Even more important, nobody is saying their defense is very good. They give up almost 100 yards a game more than the Martinez led offense at Georgia. Mark, you are a big time Martinez basher, but you give Oklahoma State a pass on that? HMMM….
Oklahoma State has a glaring weakness on defense. Their pass defense has been terrible and this year they have to replace everybody but Perrish Cox in the secondary and both tackles. I believe we will do very well against them.
Otto
August 19th, 2009
10:55 am
Neyland was an advantge for the Wyoming game wasn’t it?
richtfan
August 19th, 2009
10:55 am
a. no way uga loses 4 games or to tech again
b. no way uf goes through the season (13 games) unscathed. their exorbitant arrogance will trip them up at least once.
c. no way south carolina wins 7 games
d. no way ole siss winds up lower than 3rd in their division, and i’d pick them 2nd.
e. as for UT you can’t win on signing day unless you win during the season. and just because you sign some blue chippers doesn’t mean you’ll be a good team. with kiffin at the helm they’ll always underachieve because he’s never done anything of significance as a coach.
Brother
August 19th, 2009
10:56 am
How can Georgia beat Arkansas but yet Arkansas beat Georgia?
Study the schedules before you make these terrible predictions.
Andrew
August 19th, 2009
10:57 am
I’m sure this has been mentioned but it is 17 days, not 10. Add that to the numerous arithmetic errors and this is just sloppy and unprofessional. This is the AJC not the Hickville Advertiser, come on Mark.
BIG UGLIES WIN GAMES!!!
August 19th, 2009
10:57 am
So UGA gets beat by OK.ST but ARK beats OK.ST?????? Mark JUST SAY NO!!!
Scooter
August 19th, 2009
10:59 am
Wow! Bradley, this is a pretty good set of picks. Who did them for you?
LittleJoeHamilton
August 19th, 2009
11:00 am
Herschel’s worth $200 Million; doesn’t need to read. He pays me and other GT flunkies to read for him………
RxDawg
August 19th, 2009
11:02 am
Hmm, you have Arkasas going 9-3, losing to LSU, Bama, and UF. Yet you have UGA down as beating Arkansas. Well that wont add up.
However! Replace UGA losing to Okie St with Arkansas (which is actually quite possible) than your predictions will look a little bit better. Don’t buy the cowboy hype…it’s just that. Arkansas’s schedule set’s up to beat the Dawgs. UGA starts off hard all the way to Ark. Ark has been planing for UGA all summer, it’s their first tough game.
Otto
August 19th, 2009
11:02 am
Oregon and Colorado held Okie St to 31 or less. If the game was played on week 3 UGA wins easy. However it isn’t. Okie St returns playmakers, most of the OL, and will be opening a brand new stadium expansion. In short they will be pumped and know how to play with each other.
UGA has to start fast and can not afford any early season mistakes. UGA has the talent to win it just depends on how together the team is coming out of camp. CMR’s best seasons have started with a tough opener. Lets hope the trend continues.
braveman
August 19th, 2009
11:03 am
bama wins the west….then wins the sec. it will be a tough road to atlanta but if we do get there, no way saban and co. loses to florida two years in a row.
bama is “supposedly” a couple of years away from a national championship…
but bama will win it all in 2009.
The Murf
August 19th, 2009
11:03 am
You have Vig Tech in the Peach Bowl, so who ends up in Gator and Orange from the ACC???