Who’ll grab hold of the SEC East – UGA or South Carolina?
Will Isaiah Crowell and Georgia leave South Carolina in the dust? (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
For the first 10 years of the SEC East’s existence, Florida usually won. When it didn’t, Tennessee did. Then Mark Richt arrived at Georgia — and, not incidentally, Ron Zook took over in Gainesville — and the Bulldogs won the division three times in four seasons. Then the Gators, under new and better management, won three times in four years. And then, in 2010, something strange happened: The East was taken by none of the above.
South Carolina finally broke through, and two weeks into the 2011 season the Gamecocks were poised to consolidate that gain. They’d beaten Georgia in Athens. The Gamecocks had four of the more talented players — Marcus Lattimore, Alshon Jeffery, Melvin Ingram and Jadeveon Clowney — in the nation’s most talented league. But Carolina lost at home to Auburn and booted wayfaring quarterback Stephen Garcia from the squad for good and lost Lattimore to a knee injury and then lost at Arkansas. Georgia won the East for the first time since 2005, and today the Bulldogs stand where South Carolina did a year ago.
Georgia is a good young team coming off a lousy ending. Just as South Carolina did in 2010, the Bulldogs were routed in the SEC title game and contrived to lose their bowl. The 2011 Gamecocks, by way of contrast, finished by thrashing Clemson, which would win the ACC, and then Nebraska to wind up 11-2 to Georgia’s 10-4. And the Bulldogs must go to Columbia next season.
In sum, the SEC East remains in heavy flux. South Carolina has cause to believe it was the division’s best team, but was undone by luck and scheduling. Georgia can point to its 10 wins and its 15 returning starters as proof that its rise was no trick of the light. And then there are the others.
Various recruiting rankings indicate that Florida, which had to win its bowl to finish above .500, is poised to sign the top class among SEC East programs. Tennessee finished 5-7 and won only one conference game and could well be seeking a new coach soon. In Year 2 under James Franklin, Vanderbilt figures to do more than simply scare some of the big boys. About all Kentucky accomplished in Year 2 under Joker Phillips was to beat Tennessee for the first time since 1984. And this fall Big 12 expatriate Missouri, flouting geography, opens play as a member of the SEC East.
Most projections for 2012 show Georgia and South Carolina in the preseason top 10, and whichever one takes the East this year — it’s hard to envision anyone else rising past both — can lay claim to being the class of the SEC’s lesser division. (SEC West zealots may consider this the equivalent of being the world’s strongest weakling, but you can’t win the conference unless you play in Atlanta on the first Saturday in December, can you?)
Once again, all schedules aren’t created equal. Georgia, which managed not to play any of the West’s Big Three in the 2011 regular season, will miss them again. South Carolina has to play LSU in Baton Rouge and Arkansas in Columbia, which means the Gamecocks could again beat Georgia and still lose the East.
Loading ...In a division laden with uncertainty, signing day can have an outsize impact. The Gamecocks won the East in 2010 because Lattimore chose them over Auburn. Georgia won in 2011 largely because freshmen Isaiah Crowell and Malcolm Mitchell became playmakers. This year the Bulldogs have gained commitments from running backs Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley, making the matter of Crowell’s durability less significant. South Carolina’s top commitment is receiver Shaq Roland, who should slide into the spot vacated by Jeffery.
Looking toward autumn, it’s a close call between the two, but the pick here is Georgia. The Bulldogs have the kinder schedule and figure to have more good players returning, and South Carolina’s best player will be coming off knee surgery. That said, seizing control of a division — even if it is only the SEC East, as opposed to the West — requires a level of consistent excellence above and beyond what was required to break through once.
South Carolina knows this all too well. The Gamecocks were a better team in 2011 than in 2010 but didn’t play for the conference title. They missed their chance to stamp themselves as the post-Urban Meyer power in the SEC East. Now it’s Georgia turn to try.
By Mark Bradley
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530 comments Add your comment
The Factor
January 25th, 2012
8:20 pm
@RTR22
Perhaps the Hahira Times or Paul (suck up) Finebaum (bum)
3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 25th, 2012
8:23 pm
Danny Wofford…..Amen!! (no pun intended for Richt during his church visit with a recruit….)
kral
January 25th, 2012
8:24 pm
3minutes to 12…I guess that puts us even with every other college football team in the country..behind those 6 nc champs of course
slydog
January 25th, 2012
8:29 pm
RTR22
January 25th, 2012
8:16 pm
SEC Office has just announced Alabama led all SEC Schools with 36 team members from their NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM, on the 2011 Fall All Academic list. FACT
WHERE IS THE ARTICLE AJC? BLAME IT ON SABAN lol…… Champions on/off the field.
Out of all due respect, at Alabama, that really isn’t that hard, especially at Alabama….lol.. I was joking. And why exactly would the AJC need to report that? AJC = Atlanta Journal Constitution. Furthermore, our name is not at the top of Mark Bradley’s check nor Jeff Shultz’s. So if they have too play the homer role, then so be it because you, I, nor anybody else is going to pay them for stories we want to read, but UGA will. Case closed.
3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 25th, 2012
8:31 pm
Kral, I suppose you can look at it that way…..
But consider this….UGA is/has, the 2nd most profitable college football program in the country, Georgia has the 3rd highest number of D1 recruits in the country, Athens has first rate facilities, etc, etc.
What do those 6 nat champs have that we don’t…..coaching?? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
We are back baby!
January 25th, 2012
8:35 pm
Listen folks the entire program underwent a major overhaul! We will contend for a national championship for years to come! UGA is in a great place and is on tract to be the next dynasty! They are monsterously athletic now! Thats what happend to the dawgs…They could not hack it for 4 quarters physically…Now they match up physically with all the big programs. That combined with Grantham will help us contend year in and year out! If you dont believe!!!!! You’re WRONG!
Thank You Joe T!
blazerdawg
January 25th, 2012
8:38 pm
RTR – Congrats! That is a great accomplishment by the Tide that deserves more recognition.
c.q.
January 25th, 2012
8:38 pm
Ryan – because the comparisons were based on Richt’s tenure as HC.
slydog
January 25th, 2012
8:51 pm
@We are back baby!
We can contend with them physically for all 4 quarters? You didn’t watch the SEC Championship game.
KilroyDawg
January 25th, 2012
8:59 pm
@We are back baby!
I truly believe that UGA is an up and coming force to be reckoned with for years to come. We have made great progress, but until we win the SEC and contend for a NC the haters will continue to bash Georgia as an almost power house.
That being said, UGA still has lots of work to do.
1) Running game must become what sets the tone for our team. Run first to set up the pass. I’m tired
Throwing 30 yds downfield on 1rst down, running up the middle on 2 nd and 3rd and long. With
Crowell, Marshall and Gurly we should be much stronger here. But we need the big nasties in the
Trenches (see #4)
2) special teams play must improve. We give up too much field position much too often.
3) We must find that killer mentality and put opponents away and not let them stay in the game
4) we need to have another strong recruiting class and yes that means signing 25 quality players next
Wednesday.
UGA is close. With a few pieces of the puzzle we can compete for an SEC and NC each year for years to come. Yes I understand that Bobo is still our OC, but with a good OL and a stable of quality RB’s (and I do think we will be better) it will help him with the offensive game plan.
Let’s start by completing a strong recruiting class Wednesday. GO DAWGS!!!
We are back baby!
January 25th, 2012
9:15 pm
Kilroy was here!
Jack
January 25th, 2012
9:20 pm
The Gators have all of you just where they want you.
We are back baby!
January 25th, 2012
9:42 pm
Gators ain’t got Jack!
We are back baby!
January 25th, 2012
9:43 pm
Jack!
Bacardi Rumbo
January 25th, 2012
10:09 pm
Unless you can find some backs that can block AND run, you’re not going to be improved next year. QB has reached his potential and makes too many mistakes. OL will be a problem…. again. Schedule guarantees a good record, but W-L should be about like this year, at best.
SOUTH GA DIRT ROAD SCHOLAR
January 25th, 2012
10:27 pm
Rumor is SABAN interviewed for TAMPA BAY job????
all I remember is that Victory Formation
January 25th, 2012
11:00 pm
…… the evil genius keeps hanging around.
The Factor
January 25th, 2012
11:35 pm
UGA = 106 wins & 2 SEC Titles, 4 Div Titles in 11 seasons and playing is this conference… man, you would love to have our concerns…
MM
January 25th, 2012
11:43 pm
UGA should but won’t, still cannot rise to the occasion and we all know UGA can always find a way to l
lose when its a big game. Speaking of big game Spurrier is a big game coach, Richt is not.
Grantham's D
January 26th, 2012
12:12 am
The Ga D will dominate the SEC—ga wins the east easy when they shutdown usc’s overrated offense. Mark this down–Ga upsets alabama for the sec title!!
blueboy
January 26th, 2012
12:22 am
With the eaisest schedule in the SEC they should win it just like last year, Then get trounced in the SEC championship game!
Go Go Pilots
January 26th, 2012
2:55 am
Sorry folks I pick Missouri Tigers win East this season after all The QB as said we goin win all ready good paper for Mizzu Tigers now….and Ga will screw it again and be 4th place Texas A&M will be 3rd place and south Carolina 2nd place…Its goin be The Mark Richt on Hot seat season in athens and U be there with ajc writers kissy butts too
Rabid Dawg
January 26th, 2012
3:41 am
Amazing…..5 sec teams in the top 10 to start the season in 2012. here’s my top 10.
1) Alabama
Georgia
2) LSU
3) Oklahoma
4) Southern Cal
5) Arkansas
6) Florida St
7) Oregon
9) South Carolina
10) Va Tech
Buzz2011
January 26th, 2012
3:54 am
It should be South Carolina, Florida or perhaps Kentucky withe the East Title.
Georgia should come in with a good season and win six games with no problem..
Buzz2011
January 26th, 2012
3:59 am
Note, The Gamecocks were better than the Dog last uear. SC will return Latttemore, who is by far better than any three Dog running backs. Connor Shaw will also be the top quarterback in the East of SEC next year. The Dogs have no quarterback that can win any of the bigger games as was obvious last year.
Recap: South Carolina vs. Alabama – Kansas City Star | Clemson Carolina
January 26th, 2012
4:18 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
LagDawg
January 26th, 2012
4:20 am
It will all come down to UGA’s lethargic offense. With Bobo still in charge we can expect the same pitiful playcalling and the same blame the players excuse.
The Voice of Reason
January 26th, 2012
6:59 am
UGA again dodges the stake-in-the-heart known as LSU; Alabama, and Arkansas. Does it REALLY matter who wins the SEC East when one of these guys are waiting on the other side of the dance card?
good point
January 26th, 2012
7:04 am
well said by The Voice
tardawg
January 26th, 2012
7:27 am
I hope UGA plays sound football, if Mizzo returns alot from last years team they are going to be tough to deal with.
Dogs Smell
January 26th, 2012
7:38 am
RxDawg – How can you call any team overrated ? Thats the pot calling the kettle black ! Uga is never underrated. Each your you have visions of granduer and after 2 seasons your dogs have yet to win against a ranked team. With the easiest schedule in the SEC , yes Georgia should win 9 but when they face another ranked team they as usual go home with an “L”.
Columbus Dawg
January 26th, 2012
7:51 am
Hey Voice, it’s a different year, Alabama will lose three games just like in 2010, there is internal trouble in the Bayou, players are pissed at Miles, probably will have to start the sex offender at QB, will not work out, Arky on the other hand will have great offense, but where is the D? South Carolina figures to have a team as good as Bama will be, actually beat Bama in 2010.
Dawgs will have just as potent O if not more so than Arky, coupled with Grantham’s Dominant D + much more depth added this season. Grantham said coming in that the Dawgs D would eventually be like Bama’s best D’s, took Saban three years to get his D dominant after a horrible first season, then better in John Parker Wilson’s senior season, similar results as UGA 2011 season, then added depth to D for 2009 run. I see exactly where Grantham is coming from in his remarks. Georgia’s D will take much pride in what it accomplished in 2011 after being non-existent for several years. In the early going, the schedule allows for playing more backups on D to get ready for the coming wars later in season.
The triumphant return of Tailback U will be on display in 2012. Bama has had that title for the last few years, but UGA will get it back starting this season. Everyone seems to think Crowell is done, but Joe T said late in 2011 season, “I am going to put 10-15 lbs. of iron on Crowell in offseason, he will be SEC ready”. Marshall and Crowell will run all over the SEC in 2012. Gurley may have a say as well.
Murray will benefit greatly, just as Stafford did when he some help in this area. Will be all out war for deciding OL spots this spring, fat lazy boys will replaced by up and coming hungry linemen, both from existing players and a couple of incoming.
UGA will be given another chance by ESPN, after laying an egg in 2008 and losing all media respect. The pundits are already talking up UGA, and after the spring and it is apparent that the Dawgs have their OL and running game problems solved, will be in the Dawgs corner once again. The Dream Team and the Ring team will take advantage of the opportunity this time, bank on it.
South Carolina may not live through NCAA pounding either, Spurrier will be gone and the Chickens will be back to being, well, the Chickens.
Dogs Smell
January 26th, 2012
8:06 am
Columbus Dawg and then you woke up and found yourself in the same bed you have been laying in for several years. No ring No SEC championship and excuses after excuses.
SECGRAD
January 26th, 2012
8:27 am
South Carolina is nothing more than a flashing light at night. They have a streak they have never experienced before. It will not be sustained. They will become what they have always been…a middle of the road team. It is interesting that their “rise” came about when UGA, UF and UT were ain down periods. When Florida, Georgia and Tennessee get it back together, USC, Jr will be an afterthought AGAIN!
Whiskey Breath
January 26th, 2012
8:28 am
How is Georgia getting these easy schedules year after year avoiding the tough west team?
They need to investigate that. If I am South Carolina I am bitchin all year. And by the way,
the east is more like the big 11 at best. Doubtful the east could win the Pac 10.
HoundDawg
January 26th, 2012
8:30 am
Because of Murray’s propensity to lose big games (he’s 0-9 against teams that finished in the top 25), I’ll go with South Carolina. When you add in we got no special teams coach, and our defense is worst in the SEC in the red zone and scoring, it ends up another 6-7 season.
TigerinGA
January 26th, 2012
8:31 am
South Carolina will win SEC east and get beat in SEC championship game by LSU. Count on it.
Columbus Dawg
January 26th, 2012
8:32 am
Hey Smell, are you a Techie smelling your upper lip, or what?
TigerinGA
January 26th, 2012
8:34 am
More dawg fans need to get a grip on reality like “voice of reason”.
jd
January 26th, 2012
8:39 am
Who is to say that Bobo and company can get ready for Spurrier in one week and Spurrier not get ready for Ga in one week. Six months has nothing to do with it. If they cannot get ready for SC in Six months what makes you think they can get ready in a week. Coaching or lack thereof determines the win and at SC…I do not think so with Bobo.
Joe
January 26th, 2012
8:43 am
Why is Murray 0-9???? Because his coach is 0-9. Stay off the kid and blame the coaching. It is evident that he has not been coached to get down on the ball before a hit when he runs. It is evident the defense has keys to many of his interceptions beccause of Bobo’s habit of throwing at certain times and running a little back up the middle on second down so he will have to throw again on third down.
JY
January 26th, 2012
8:48 am
Get over the schedule thing. Research the past and see that everyone has a week schedule in some years. It is a rotating schedule between the divisions. No one has ever brought up the schedule until it is GA’s schedule. Get over it.
Gator Mike
January 26th, 2012
8:48 am
It should be an interesting season, and I am pleased that UF is under the radar. I like Muschamp, but if there is not a dramatic improvement this year, he will be on a hot seat. Foley will not undergo another zook saga because the big dollar boosters will be on the warpath.
If the Gators cannot win the East this year, I would like to see UGA win rather than S. Carolina.
Good luck to all.
papadawg
January 26th, 2012
8:49 am
The DAWGS WILL NOT give them points like they did last year but they will still score plenty against the chickens. SHUT UP spurrier you didn’t win the game, the DAWGS lost it!
QwikShooter
January 26th, 2012
8:50 am
Aaron Murray led the SEC in interceptions, take away those 14 giveaways and we end up a top 10 team.
Tide is rolling and nothing can stop it
January 26th, 2012
8:53 am
Of course UGA fans THINK they will win the East. They’ve thought the last 30 years would be champtionship years.
But seriously, UGA wins East due to pansy schedule that avoids real SEC Teams.
dale
January 26th, 2012
9:16 am
It’s not the “post-Urban East,” it’s the “post-Tebow East.”
Urban was 9-7 in the SEC without him.
Gator Mike
January 26th, 2012
9:31 am
Dale,
I agree with you. I would also add Percy Harvin to the list with Tebow. Once Meyer lost Tebow, Harvin, Hernandez, Spikes, etc. he imploded. It should be entertaining watching a repeat in Columbus if he gets hammered by Michigan and Michigan State this next season. He will then use his family for an excuse until ND buys into his b.s.
benito
January 26th, 2012
9:31 am
UGA will lose to South Carolina, but win the East. I think that is probably going to happen. Which should be interesting to see an 11-1 UGA team heading to Atlanta.
And Aaron Murray is a great QB but he is prone to turnovers. I love all what if statements on this blog. As a South Carolina fan, I have very often been on the wrong end of those games. David Pollack 2002, Mike Davis 2008. Get over it, that’s why they play the games. You lost, next year’s coming, stop whining. It won’t erase the L.
CP
January 26th, 2012
9:39 am
Someone else will.