An early line on the SEC in 2011, and UGA is … well, not No. 1
With the SEC having generated the BCS titlist five years running, the moral of our story — if indeed morals apply in this cutthroat conference — is this: Win the league, win it all. But that mightn’t be the case come Jan. 9, 2102. (Though the championship game will be played in New Orleans, smack in the heart of SEC country.)
Oklahoma figures to start next season ranked No. 1, and that would be a departure. The past three preseason No. 1’s have hailed from guess where: Georgia in 2008, Florida in 2009, Alabama in 2010. (As we know, none finished No. 1.) Eyeballing it from this distance, the SEC would appear slightly lessened in 2011, but is the Tiffany League ever truly down?
Herewith we offer a look-ahead, the 12 programs ranked in ascending order:
12. Vanderbilt: The Commodores have a new coach. So they’ve got that going for them.
11. Kentucky: The Wildcats seemed onto something when they played Auburn close and beat South Carolina, but they lost four of their final six games. They’ll have a new quarterback in 2011, and Morgan Newton — who started the BBVA Compass Bowl because senior Mike Hartline was suspended — appears a cut below his predecessor.
10. Ole Miss: Wasn’t it only yesterday — actually, it was 2009 — that this team was hailed as a national contender? Nothing has gone right since. Gambling on quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, the defrocked Oregon Duck, enabled the Rebels to win only one SEC game, that against Kentucky. Houston Nutt’s nutty program again appears the least of the SEC West.
9. Tennessee: The Vols have found a quarterback in Tyler Bray, and his emergence enabled them to become bowl-eligible. Now the bad news: Tennessee finished 6-7 and didn’t beat anyone of consequence. Heck, it lost big to …
8. Georgia: Going on returning talent, this ranking is too low. Going on the tenuous state of the program, this ranking might be too high. Some Bulldog fans see Isaiah Crowell, the recruit from Columbus who has yet to commit, as The Next Herschel Walker. I ask: Have we learned nothing in 30 years? There was but one Herschel Walker.
7. Florida: Will Muschamp, the new head coach, is also a rookie head coach. Hiring Charlie Weis as his offensive coordinator will help, but Weis hasn’t seemed half as clever since being separated from Tom Brady. John Brantley, the quarterback of whom much was expected in 2010, is considering transferring — and even Gator backers don’t know if that would be good or bad.
Zach Mettenberger, new to LSU. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
6. Auburn: The national champs will surely lose quarterback Cam Newton and defensive destroyer Nick Fairley to the NFL, and they weren’t just the two best players on their team — they were the two best players in the country. And that’s how it works in the better half of this conference: You can go from No. 1 in the land to No. 5 in the SEC West in the wink of an eye.
5. Mississippi State: The temptation is to put the Bulldogs a notch higher, but two factors mitigate: State lost defensive Manny Diaz to Texas, and the sneak-up factor from 2010 will be gone. Still, if the Bulldogs can win at Auburn on Sept. 10, they’ll face LSU in Starkville on a Thursday night in a cowbell-clamorous game that could propel them into the Top 10.
4. Arkansas: The Razorbacks will take a slight step backward — they reached the Sugar Bowl in Year 3 under Bobby Petrino — only because they’re losing quarterback Ryan Mallett to the NFL draft. But Tyler Wilson seems an able replacement, and Petrino can coach quarterbacks. The downside: Hogs must face Alabama and LSU on the road.
3. South Carolina: The Gamecocks achieved their forever-awaited breakthrough by winning the SEC East. They then lost twice in the Georgia Dome by an aggregate 48 points. The key offensive players return, and Carolina hopes Jadeveon Clowney, the in-state product considered the nation’s No. 1 recruit, will take his talents to Columbia and do for the defense as tailback Marcus Lattimore did for the offense.
2. Alabama: Talent-wise, this is the SEC’s deepest program. But losing three key offensive players — quarterback Greg McElroy, tailback Mark Ingram and wideout Julio Jones — has to have some effect. Doesn’t it?
1. LSU: The SEC West will hinge the Tigers’ Nov. 5 game against Alabama, which will be staged in Tuscaloosa. But LSU, which has struggled for three seasons to find a quarterback, might have two: Jordan Jefferson has begun to settle, and Zach Mettenberger, dismissed from Georgia’s program after his arrest, might wind up starting. And there’s precedent for an SEC champion being quarterbacked by a Georgia native who began at one league program but flourished at another: Cam Newton of Atlanta did it in 2010; might it Mettenberger of Watkinsville in 2011?
By Mark Bradley
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332 comments Add your comment
prediction
January 12th, 2011
5:39 pm
Georgia wont win the SEC championship. But they might beat Avondale.
TampaGator
January 12th, 2011
5:46 pm
Mark…..
the Gators have tons of talent and the only thing holding them back was the offense and the play at QB. I have to believe that Charlie Weis is a better OC than Steve Addazio….and he is a hell of a QB coach….so I think both the offense and Brantley (and he is coming back) will be much better next year….and with the Gator defense….they don’t have to be much better for the Gators to contend for the SEC title next year….and I think they will.
…..and….I think Driskel….will play some as a freshman too. If Charlie can work on his mechanics and decision making this spring (early enrollee), then Driskel might even beat Brantley out. But I hope Brantley makes progess and does well next year. He has the talent…but does he have the brains and guts? Story to be determined…..
TampaGator
January 12th, 2011
5:49 pm
I have watched Wilder play in person and in the all star game…..not that impressed (and not just because he is going to FSU). But because he plays straight up and is not that agile of a player. He also doesn’t block or tackle that well in games I have watched him play…although he did have one great game running the ball in the playoffs. He just doens’t look smooth and polished as a player….very rigid in his motions. But time will tell…..(I felt the same way about Marlon Brown when I say him play in person).
LakeDawg
January 12th, 2011
6:08 pm
Mark, those are pretty good picks to be so early. Probably won’t end up that way. Btw I agree, except I would switch Bama and LSU.
SEC Fact Finder
January 12th, 2011
6:17 pm
Not sure of the validity of this website but according to it, Ohio State will still be a team yet to win against the SEC if this is true during the BCS era. True or UnTrue it is still a funny read:
http://sportales.com/football/ohio-state-to-be-stripped-of-sugar-bowl-title/
Najeh Davenpoop
January 12th, 2011
6:22 pm
203rd!!!
Lots of Jealous Dawg Fans
January 12th, 2011
6:30 pm
Switch KY and UGA.
Mark Bradley`s Booster
January 12th, 2011
6:34 pm
Mark: I agree with you rankings except for UGA. I believe they will beat Florida and I would move them at least one notch up.
TruthBe
January 12th, 2011
6:37 pm
WAR EAGLE!!!!!!!!!
Les Miles
January 12th, 2011
6:40 pm
Mark my words – I stayed so I can coach the next national chamption football team in 2011!
GSU Eagle 91
January 12th, 2011
6:53 pm
I agree with number 1 and 2…and…The Gators have a chance to be good if they can establish an offensive identity.
LSU vs Oregon in Arlington will be an eagerly antipicated match-up…
UGA canceled their games with Oregon…HA…and probably scheduled Charleston Southern or some other hapless victim instead…
Mark Bradley
January 12th, 2011
6:55 pm
Hello! I’m gay!
Dogs Smell
January 12th, 2011
7:04 pm
Good to see UT so underrated . Even with the losses , look how close they played those games with such young talent. Georgia on the other hand couldnt do better if they had the entire Falcons squad.
Jimmy
January 12th, 2011
7:05 pm
Mark-
Your ranking is probably a little too high. I’d expect Georgia to finish above Vandy, and maybe Ole Miss, probably Georgia looking at #10 in the SEC. Kentucky & Tenn will likely be better than Georgia in 2011.
Delbert D.
January 12th, 2011
7:08 pm
Site says Georgia No. 21, Tech unranked going into 2011
6:15 pm December 20, 2010, by Jeff Schultz
—————————-
I’m not sure how that came up in my browser and then disappeared.
Herschel Talker is a girly man
January 12th, 2011
7:20 pm
I the great Herschel Talker am looking for a date this Friday night. How about you Mr Clean? You sound like my kind of guy–sort of feeble and non supporative. We will have a grreat time snuggling together and blogging about how we hate UGA. Just don’t pinch me too hard when we are smooching because I am kind of feeble in mind and body. Anyone else interested in having a hate the dawgs blogging party? Bring your PJs and don’t forget to wear them backwards–more fun.
LSU Supporters
January 12th, 2011
7:43 pm
Monkey, I hope Miles pulls the scholly offer for Jeremy Hill. We don’t need guys like that. He would fit in better at that school 60 miles NE of Atlanta.
Dawg 1
January 12th, 2011
7:47 pm
Good.
Mark is wrong about 75% of the time. He is wrong again here. No, I do not put us at 1 or 2. But do not be surprised lands around 4th or 5th, maybe even 3rd. And watch out for Florida.
Auburn will slide ‘big time’. And I’m not trashing Auburn. Stated before the season last year to be on the ‘look out’ for this team.
Dawgophilus
January 12th, 2011
7:56 pm
If we can’t go 10-2 next year than it’s good bye CMR and hello Coach Kirby Smart.
Jim 007
January 12th, 2011
8:25 pm
Dawgs are simply out of luck w/ Richt
As soon as the AD wakes up, things will improve
The Bobby Bowden THUGA atmosphere will not work in 2011 !
Jim L. Spano
January 12th, 2011
8:27 pm
Garcia is a born loser at USC cockville. He has had 3 years to lead this team and still lacks leadership skills and the ability to up tempo their game when it is time to rise and shine time.
Connor Shaw must be given a chance to start if the COCKS are ever going to shine in 2011!!
TAKINNG 25 SECONDS EVERY TIME TO GET A PLAY OFF SHOW A LACK OF INTELLIGENCE AND IS PERCIEVED AS NOT “PRACTICING MUCH!”
Negativity
January 12th, 2011
9:11 pm
Hey Mark,
Couldn’t get into Flowery Branch again for an interview??
POSITIVE THINKING!!!!!
Dawg89
January 12th, 2011
9:39 pm
Don’t forget that another former UGA QB flourished at another program (hint = Oklahoma).
Geaux Tigers
January 12th, 2011
9:58 pm
Monkey, I hope Miles pulls the scholly offer for Jeremy Hill. We don’t need guys like that. He would fit in better at that school 60 miles NE of Atlanta.
_______________________________________
I think Les pulls the offer sooner rather than later. We definitely don’t need that stuff on our team. From what I’ve read, this is worse than what Mettenberger did down in Remerton. Sad too because many saw Hill as the best RB in the state and a top 5-10 RB in the nation. Oh well, LSU is stacked at RB.
kral
January 12th, 2011
10:16 pm
cannot argue to much with your opinion there markie you know it is like any system without a play-off… beauty contest..judges pick them …positives…ts..boykin..and possibly the best qb ..in the sec unless cm returns…what will we get find out in the fall of 2011…guess if you want..predict what you think..then make a copy of it ..to see if you should be a beauty contest judge
Line Out
January 12th, 2011
11:00 pm
With richt doing an intense study to learn football, the Dawgs will be back big in 2011! Bank it–the dawgs win 10 and blow out tech again.
Coach M. Richt
January 12th, 2011
11:15 pm
Line Out, Look man if you keep telling people that we’re going to win 10 games you’re going to get my butt fired when we don’t. I never realized that you could learn so much by watching game film! I’m going to tell Coach Bobo about it so he can start it watching it too ! Who knows we may look like we know what’s going on this year and win 8-9 games ?
Coach M. Richt
January 12th, 2011
11:16 pm
Tech $uck$
Final SEC Coaching Grades – Post-Bowl Edition – MrSEC
January 13th, 2011
12:02 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Gen Neyland
January 13th, 2011
12:02 am
Next on the agenda : Where the unborned football stars of tomorrow will commit…
Sam
January 13th, 2011
12:24 am
Weiss did just fine with Clausen and Quinn and the offense at ND. It was the defense that was putrid.
Turning out back to back first round picks might make Brantley want to stick around.
William C Smith
January 13th, 2011
1:08 am
Were was Auburn projected at the beginning of the year. Were was Alabama projected at the beginning of the year. This is not a slam on any team just to say I don’t know if it will snow tomorrow much less which team will be great in eight months. As I like to say Mark Richt has a four million dollar salary depending on how his team does. He will work to keep that salary. Therefore, he will get the most out of his players this year. All things said money controls everything at every university. Richt ends 2010 as mild mannered Underdog, and enters 2011 as George Patton.
RED DOG 77
January 13th, 2011
1:13 am
With Cordy and Trinton comming back our Oline should be much improved. I sicerily believe the Bulldogs are tired of being dissed by just about everyone in the football world. With Richt’s future on the line at Georgia [what a shame ] I’m looking for a bust-out year for “my” DOGS and a shot at the SEC championship……….and by the way……Francis Tarkenton ? really ?…….Anyone who has ever met the jerk, and I have, will tell you, he is about as credible as this blogs own ” BuLLdawg ” you know, the “Little Miss Debbie Downer” that appears from time to time and makes our butts burn?………….GEEEEOOOORRRGIA BULLDOGS in 2011………GATA…….SIC’ ‘EM……WOOF……WOOF……..WOOF
Sec fan
January 13th, 2011
2:01 am
Amazing that au has run the table twice in 6 years and uga hasn’t in 30 years had 1
BoWeevil
January 13th, 2011
6:06 am
ranked too high
ranked too low
ascending order
ranked # 8
Damn it Bradley, what in the hell are you saying ?
That is the most confusing words you could possibly use to say we aren’t any good.
And, what talent ?
On the OL, DL, WR, TB, FB, Secondary, coaching staff ? There is talent there ?
Auburn Tigers New Coach | More Than More Insurance
January 13th, 2011
6:10 am
[...] An early line on the SEC in 2011, and UGA is ⦠well, not No. 1 – Atlanta Journal Constitu… An early line on the SEC in 2011, and UGA is ⦠well, not No. 1Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Vanderbilt: The Commodores have a new coach. So they've got that going for them. 11. Kentucky: The Wildcats seemed onto something when they played Auburn …James poised to break Ducks' rushing records Portland TribuneGene Chizik's Journey To Greatness- Auburn Coach Brings Title To Dream School Bleacher ReportCoaches' Trophy to be displayed at area Walmart locations Opelika Auburn NewsDonbest.com -Chattanooga Times Free Press -Montgomery Advertiserall 9,460 news articles » Bing Jan 13, 2011 3:07am [...]
tennessee tom
January 13th, 2011
6:13 am
Auburns new motto “this is the SEC,if you ain’t cheating,then you ain’t trying”
tennessee tom
January 13th, 2011
6:21 am
Ga wins about 6 in 2011,can’t win in this league with the 3-4,without a stud in the middle,and great linebackers,Ga has neither
J and J
January 13th, 2011
7:18 am
I would imagine if AU has a payroll similar to last year they will be a force again.
» SEC: Alabama improves to 2-0; Vandy beats Dogs John Clay’s Sidelines
January 13th, 2011
7:40 am
[...] Mark Bradley: An early line on SEC football for 2011. [...]
Fran Speaketh Da Truth !
January 13th, 2011
7:57 am
For the umteenth dozenth times who cares who blogs first ?
That ranking looks good on paper but I’m positive it won’t go like that, it never does. Alabama is losing 3 key offensive players (qb,rb,wr). Look at the dropoff from UGA losing Stafford & Moreno a few years back. I think you got Bama,SC,and Arkansas all way too high. I think you’ve got Tenn,Fla., & Auburn too low.
Here’s my 12 to 1 ranking :
12 – Ole Miss
11 – Kentucky
10 – Vandy
9 – Ole Piss
8 – Georgia
7 – Arkansas
6 – South Carolina
5 – Miss St.
4 – Alabama
3 – Florida
2 – Auburn
1 – LSU
Fran Speaketh Da Truth !
January 13th, 2011
8:01 am
Dang.
12 – Ole Miss
11 – Kentucky
10 – Vandy
9 – Georgia
8 – Tenn
7 – Arkansas
6 – SC
5 – Miss St.
4 – Bama
3 – Florida
2 – Auburn
1 – LSU
Line Out
January 13th, 2011
8:38 am
the ‘kudos’ award that bradley gives out to the moron who posts “first” — does that come with a cash prize?
Rico
January 13th, 2011
8:43 am
So, what does Auburn and UGA have in common ove the past few years. Let’s see…
Auburn
2006 11-2
2007 9-4 DECLINE STARTS
2008 5-7 ROCK BOTTOM – CHANGE COACH
2009 8-5 BIG IMPROVEMENT
2010 14-0 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
UGA
2006 9-4
2007 11-2
2008 10-3
2009 8-5 DECLINE STARTS
2010 6-7 ROCK BOTTOM @ NO COACHING CHANGE
Looks like Auburn made the necessary changes to win the BCS. UGA could not/would not pull the trigger to compete for a NC. So, the UGA AD delays the inevitable foe one more year while the rest of the SEC is improving. YIKES!!!!
Jerry West
January 13th, 2011
8:47 am
GARY CROWTON’S GONE!
Ding Dong, the Wicked Wizard’s Deeeeeeeaaaaaad!!!!!
Rico
January 13th, 2011
8:48 am
AND….Just how many wins would save Richt’s job in 2011. 8, 9, 10…???? When you start thinking “how many wins to save his job”, it is time to make change. NO WAY UGA wins 10 games in 2011. Another 9-4 season will get is butt fired, PROMISE. So why wait I say?
Phil
January 13th, 2011
8:51 am
Georgia should be co-last with Vanderbilt. That’s where we are as a program whether you like it or not, it’s reality.
Will be lucky to win 4 games next year. Starting out 0-2 after Boise and South Carolina. Things will go south after that.
No AJ to save us. No change in the coaching staff, except that Richt is somehow going to become an “expert” in the off season.
Richt is a clown. Should have went and got Kirby Smart. Kirby has studied and been tutored under Nick Saban. I would say that Kirby would also model his program after what has been done at Alabama. But no, let’s keep Richt and keep suffering.
Fan of the Game
January 13th, 2011
8:52 am
Mark, if you didn’t have UGA to write about what would you do. Funny thing is that you didn’t pay much attention to them in the past. Anybody can beat someone when they are down. Let’s hope you will praise them when they come back.
Phil
January 13th, 2011
8:53 am
Good stats Rico. The Richt loyalists still won’t agree, even when you throw the cold hard facts in front of their faces like you just did.
But no way we win 9 games next year. 4 at the most.
NewnanDawg
January 13th, 2011
8:59 am
Mark, you’re naming recruits and non-starters as most of our “returning talent”.
Gone are: Houston, Green, Dent, Dowtin, Durham, Boling
Roster-wise, 2011 is a rebuilding year for UGA. There’s no telling how many freshmen and sophomores we’ll have to play.
Agree, your #8 SEC projection for UGA is about right though.