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
ga IS #1
January 26th, 2012
9:43 am
GA will be National champs….
the first team to win the championship by NOT playing anyone in the top 10…
Bobo today meets with So Gwinnett to get them on their schedule
tdog
January 26th, 2012
9:46 am
Have to give the better team to South Carolina. They have found a much better quarterback than UGA has. Got more horses in the barn too. Although the patsy schedule Georgia has favors us.
MIZ
January 26th, 2012
9:48 am
Excited to be a part of things in the SEC mix! Personally I am kind of glad that MIZZOU is flying under the radar in the conference talk. Not sure how Mizzou will fare in year one in a new conference. The Tigers (sorry to add a 3rd school with that mascot) just lost a TON of seniors and will be in reload mode this year. But the talent is there. Especially if DGB picks Mizzou on Feb 1. Go Mizzou!
DawginLex
January 26th, 2012
10:04 am
HAHAHAHAHA
You are the most juvenile, moronic poster on all of the AJC boards.
You are Exhibit A as to why these blogs need an IGNORE button. You should also have to register the e mail address and only post under 1 handle.
Prison? You really need some new material. Your boyfriend is complaining along with all the TROLLS.
Loser
Eddie Haskell
January 26th, 2012
10:04 am
I always heard that the “G” on the side of the helmet stood for “Girls” ?.
Matt
January 26th, 2012
10:11 am
Bad Dawg- you have been relevant for 2 years and you are now an elite program??? You must be joking!!!! You were handed 28 pts last year on top of our once AA kicker missing 3 FGs and only won by 2!! That makes you elite and UGA a second tier program??? How many SECE titles do you have in the last 12 years??? BCS games? BCS wins? How many wins does Spurrier have at USC???
That’s what I thought.
@RxDawg
January 26th, 2012
10:13 am
RxDawg…you call Arkansas overrated when the only teams they lost to played in the National Championship game? You are clearly of inferior intellect if that is your true belief. Also, saying that when UGA lost their bowl game to MSU while Arkansas stomped a top ten KSU in an equal (but bigger payout) Cotton Bowl is just ignorant. UGA lost to Boise St., South Carolina, LSU, and Michigan State but will be ranked in the top ten next year. If I had to pick a team that is overrated going into next year, it would be Georgia, not Arkansas. Please argue that.
USC88
January 26th, 2012
10:37 am
There is no question that the schedule favors UGA in the east. South Carolina will have to beat the best of the west to win the east, which is not fair in my opinion. But like someone pointed out, to be the best you have to beat the best. If you really think it is fair that USC was undefeated in the east last year and did not represent the east in the Championship game, then you are not a true football fan or you are ignorant (aka UGA fan). I realize that USC probably would not have won, but we earned the right to represent the East last year.
For all of you who constantly bring up the past, get over it. Every program has to start somewhere, and yes USC is on the rise. It is not where you start, but where you finish. For anyone who says USC has no tradition, go to youtube right now and watch the USC vs Bama highlights last year. Go watch the fighting gamecocks beat Ole Miss. See, I am not asking you to go back to 1984 or later like some of you fans, because you are right, we didnt have that rich tradition back then. But guess what, we are on the rise. Spurrier has ignited something in Columbia that is just getting started, and is only going to get better. So any UGA fans that feel great about losing to USC last year and still “winning” the east, and going on to have a 10-4 season, you are pathetic. End of story
HammerDawg
January 26th, 2012
10:46 am
Bobo is so over matched and ill equipped to be an OC that it is impossible to pick the dawgs to win anything….Sad Sad Sad…. It could be so much better with a real OC!!!
NOT a Dawg here
January 26th, 2012
10:56 am
WOW, what a bold prediction MB! About as bold as me predicting the sun will rise tomorrow.
Because of another weak schedule, UGA more than likely will do the same thing in 2012 that it did in 2011…..back into the SEC title game b/c South Carolina had a tougher schedule.
BAYOU LAFITTE
January 26th, 2012
11:03 am
Im picking Georgia to win the east and play my LSU tigers I am afraid the game will be much closer this time around.
NOT a Dawg here
January 26th, 2012
11:03 am
To “@RxDawg” ……
I think the Rx in RxDawg must stand for Rx of Optometry since he/she is prescribing those rose-colored lenses so many dawg fans wear!
NOT a Dawg here
January 26th, 2012
11:05 am
Not gonna happen BAYOU ……. Ole Miss wins the SEC west in 2012
realitycheck
January 26th, 2012
11:16 am
Just another meaningless 10 win season ahead in Athens. I had a good conversation with an ex UGA QB recently. He said what most everyone else already knows,”We aren’t winning any NC with Richt but he is too good of a man to fire.” “We are stuck being a pretty good team.” I think he hit the nail on the head!
BAYOU LAFITTE
January 26th, 2012
11:18 am
NOT a DAWG-I hope your joking.
Red Roosterette
January 26th, 2012
11:34 am
USC takes it all: the East, SEC and shot in NC game. Momentum is too high right now to accept anything different. Like Bama, we did not play in the SECCG, but finished better than the ones who did…take that! We finished 2011 at 11-2 and will take that energy going forward. Looking forward to 2012 once we make it 3 in a row as baseball national champs. Go Cocks!
Boris Badnoff
January 26th, 2012
11:39 am
The Mighty Georgia Bull Dawgs. Conquerors of Coastal Carolina. So the Poochies don’t play Alabama, LSU, or Arkansas. Now if they could just get rid of South Carolina and Florida, there’s no way they can lose the SEC East. Super Coach Mark Richt said The Mighty Georgia Bull Dawgs are knocking on the Door of Greatness. In order for Greatness to knock back you need to play someone other than directional schools in neighboring states. Add Oregon, Okie State, and Ohio State. Playing Ohio State would enable The Mighty Georgia Dawgs to showcase the superiority of the SEC to The Big Ten and for Super Coach Mark Richt to continue his absolute mastery and total domination of Urban Meyer. Woof. Woof. Woof.
Gt
January 26th, 2012
11:41 am
C’mon they should be, their schedule is pathetic. ( rednecks )
Aaron
January 26th, 2012
11:41 am
I know how much you UGA posters love to throw scores at GT posters, so heres a little number for you.
45-42.
QwikShooter
January 26th, 2012
11:42 am
I say Georgia will underperform, yet again in 2012 due to not solving the big three:
1- Murray is a turnover machine, and 0-9 big games against teams that finished in top 25
2- Still no special teams coach
3- Grantham, the man whose defense gave up 39 points per game against ranked teams, and whose red zone defense was the worst in the NCAA, is back with the same scheme, players, and coaches.
AntoineFord
January 26th, 2012
11:44 am
The Cocks own UGA because they have one thing the Dogs don’t — toughness.
Octvember
January 26th, 2012
11:46 am
I don’t know, if we had AJ or Shaw at QB, maybe we make a run, but with A. Murray, kid has only beat 1 or 2 winning teams, and no significant wins.
DAve
January 26th, 2012
11:47 am
Oh goody, yet another article about whether UGA will win the SEC East by MB. Since so much has changed since last week, this is especially informative…..
Wolfman
January 26th, 2012
11:49 am
UGA wins because of schedule…..
harold
January 26th, 2012
11:54 am
IF UGA DOESN’T GO ALL THE WAY WITH THIS “CAKEWALK” OF A SCHEDULE RICHT SHOULD BE FIRED———-IMMEDIATELY! WHAT A SORRY SCHEDULE!
Dawgs > usc
January 26th, 2012
11:57 am
The Dawgs will be loaded in 2012 and will beat usc by 10+—book it. Ga’s running game will be the best in the SEC with ICro, Marshall and Gurley. USc has an injured lattimore and overrated Davis—no match! Dawgs — SEC East title again!!!
AntoineFord
January 26th, 2012
11:58 am
Georgia has no tougness or heart, and that starts with Richt.
georgia wins sec
January 26th, 2012
12:02 pm
with goergia’s week schedule they should win the sec this year since alabama and lsu will be way down. who will ga play in the bcs?
Octvember
January 26th, 2012
12:07 pm
Let’s break down UGA’s season.
Against teams that finished up in AP Poll in top 25:
0-4
Against teams that ended up unranked in final AP top 25 Poll:
10-0
So, just like 2011, UGA beat the bad teams, and lost to the good teams.
Now, if you break down the 10 wins, 2 were good wins, 8 were bad wins.
2 wins were over 8 win teams (Aub/GT)
2 wins were over 7 win teams (Fla/CC)
1 win was over a 6 win team (Vanderbilt)
2 wins were over 5 win teams (Tenn/Kent)
1 win was over a 4 win team (New Mex St)
1 win was over a 2 win team (Ole Miss)
There’s your season.
Pathetic.
Latti'sback
January 26th, 2012
12:16 pm
Might want to check the final rankings for this year. Cocks are a top 10 team. Uga….Not!
Preston
January 26th, 2012
12:16 pm
Dawgs win it no problem including the heads up game in Columbia. That should shut them up. But it probably won’t. lol
Octvember
January 26th, 2012
12:17 pm
In 2010, Murray against teams that ended up in the AP Poll top 25 went:
0-4
In 2010, Murray against teams that ended up unranked in the final AP Poll top 25 went:
6-3
Geez, Murray hasn’t won a single game in 2 years against a single team that ended up in the final top 25 ap poll.
Bad news UGA fans.
Murray’s back, and getting worse, threw 14 interceptions in 2011, and was sacked 32 times. Only completed 59% of his passes in 2011.
Preston
January 26th, 2012
12:17 pm
Missouri worries me more. We never seem to play well early in the season.
Octvember
January 26th, 2012
12:20 pm
Murray is 0-2 against South Carolina. It’s not the type of game, or team, he does well against. Murray’s best games are against teams like New Mexico St.
Preston
January 26th, 2012
12:21 pm
georgia wins sec, as much as I wish that were true, the truth is LSU is bringing back as many starters as UGA and Bama is reloading with the #1 recruiting class in the country. They won’t be down.
Preston
January 26th, 2012
12:23 pm
Murray will be fine. He didn’t get 53 D-! offers for nothing. He will be much better this year.
UGA R U kidding?
January 26th, 2012
12:25 pm
Who takes control of the SEC east? The team with the best coach,the team that finished well, the team with loyal and remotely intelligent fans….you figure it out.
realisticguy1
January 26th, 2012
12:34 pm
What is REALLY fun is to look back at the pre-season prediction comments from last year where delusional fans from every team try to use their hatred to predict ANOTHER teams season. 99.9% were SO far off. No matter WHAT you think sometimes talent just doesn’t show up in every game for an entire season..just like the NC game..LSU was SO flat and not inspired at ALL.
@octvember
January 26th, 2012
12:43 pm
2011 was the 1st season that Spurrier hasn’t lost at least 5 games since he arrived at SC.
Did i miss something did SC play bama and LSU last year? Weren’t their wins bascially the same as Georgias? Didn’t south carolina lose to Auburn in Colombia , and didn’t Georgia beat Auburn by 6 TDS
New handle today,funny how Tech fans like you live vicariously through other programs.
CockSRule
January 26th, 2012
12:45 pm
My people in columbia are saying this may be spurrier’s best team yet–they are loaded. SC will beat Ga easily and win the SEC east. SC can beat alabama this year in the SEc title game. They are losing a bunch of talent on D. bet the house on SC.
South Carolina Football is a Joke
January 26th, 2012
1:00 pm
All-time record 553–541–44 (.505)
Postseason bowl record 5–12
Conference titles 1 (1969 ACC)
And you’re talking trash. You’re barely over .500…..All Time…..
BWWAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAHHHHHHAAAAAAAAA
You were under .500 before Spurrier arrived, and he’ll be gone soon.
When he’s gone, it’s back to being Vandy @ Columbia agaon.
16-46-2 against UGA
You guys f*****g suck.
pluuhhheeezzzzz-
January 26th, 2012
1:02 pm
cmr gets contract extention.
things return back to normal.
more arrests and more underacheivement.
now that he is secure, CMR can go back to being his old soft self…which we saw vs MSU.
still haven’t beaten a ranked SEC team in over 3 years…..
im picking mizzou to win the east. USC doesn’t have the depth to make it through that schedule.
unless something miraculous happens…UGA will lose to mizzou, florida and SC and maybe even vandy. (we don’t have drew butler to make shoestring tackles this year.)
SC on Fire
January 26th, 2012
1:09 pm
SC will be loaded this year—Spurrier’s best team ever at SC! Look for an easy win over Ga and Fl again and an upset over alabama in the SEC title game. This is the year for SC!!!
Nothing Could Be Finer
January 26th, 2012
1:14 pm
SC’s offense will be stacked (again) in 2012 with plently of experience, to boot.
Gamecocks over Ga for the 3rd consecutive year.
Big bad Bama
January 26th, 2012
1:16 pm
You knew there was one huge sigh of relief when conference realignment meant the dawgs wouldn’t have to play Alabama after all in 2012. That’s allright. If you luck your way into the seccg by virtue of not having to play any of the big 3 in the west yet again then we will be waiting to spank that behind.
2 national titles in 3 years and 3 since the sec went to the 2 division format. So how many national championships does Georgia have in those same time frames??? ZERO. Let me repeat that. ZERO. You guys suck.
Cocks
January 26th, 2012
1:22 pm
Ya’ll sound like the taters we have to deal with in South Carolina. Only care about history.
Get with reality. UGA hasn’t been a prominent team in the national picture in years. You lost to us the last two years, and you only beat up on loser teams. You may very well win the East again this year, but like last year it won’t be because you are better, but because you played easier opponents.
I for one am looking forward to watching Clowney throw Murray around like a rag doll again.
News | MrSEC
January 26th, 2012
1:28 pm
[...] Here’s another look at Florida’s new gray/silver Nike basketball uniforms.3. Will it be Georgia or South Carolina who grabs control of the SEC East this fall? (Or someone else?)4. John Calipari [...]
Stinger2
January 26th, 2012
1:28 pm
Some people who have posted the team they thing will win
will forget who they picked by the time the season starts.
This group would include Mark Bradley if he did not have his archives to look up who he picked.
harold
January 26th, 2012
1:36 pm
READ HAROLD’S COMMENTS @11:54. IF RICHT DOESN’T GO 13-0 AGAINST THESE PATSIES HE SHOUL BE FIRED!
Orange11
January 26th, 2012
1:40 pm
If Murray doesn’t give the game away, UGA will.