CFB51 College Football Fan Community
The Power Five => SEC => Topic started by: Drew4UTk on July 21, 2020, 02:29:41 AM
-
Opinions... well, you know what's said about them.
SEC East
Florida- holding and high.. they should be solid and could be squarely back on the podium this year.. except:
Georgia- holding and high.. they've built quite a machine down there and without bama just west of them they'd likely have had a MNC to show for it (do we call it MNC anymore with the playoffs? of course we don't... but I do)
South Carolina- sliding mid range... it's not that they're actually slipping visibly, it's that others in the division have stepped up their game.. they're the auburn of the east- scrappy and uncertain, but perception whispers they're in decline..
Kentucky- in the midst of a momentary spurt, and wouldn't you know it right when they could possibly compete? they've got moxy they've lacked historically, but that means nothing to trends until it's translated... i think they've hit the high mark and will be mid range this season with propensity to drop back into the traditional rut.
Vandy- is still and always will be vandy.
Mizzou- is truly a mystery this season.
Tennessee- after a nightmare start last season they pulled it together near the end. the bowl game was a bit of an abbreviated statement in summary of their season- pulling it off, highly unlikely, at the end. Obviously i am biased, but i think they are heading up (and maybe because there is hardly anywhere to fall based on the last decade). I expect 2nd or 3rd in the division to be the high mark.
SEC West
Bama- is a damn machine. now i gotta say this carefully- they are, imHo, slightly off their rhythm... they aren't the hideous beast opponents looked across the field at for the last 12-15 years... they're 'obtainable' now..... but, alas, obtainable doesn't mean they're in the bag and they're still the team to beat... they're high and holding with only the slightest perceptible dent.
Auburn- moves in sprints and falls, and they're dang hard to pin down. the term 'scrappy' comes to mind in expectations, but with uncertain outcomes... i'd hate to bet on these guys week in and week out... i'd be bald with a quickness... i see nothing to reduce that this season or after... which means- they're holding steady in their ability to be uncertain..
LSU- to me it's rare to see a team have as much fun as this team did last season from beginning to end.. it speaks to me of confidence and cohesion, and is brought on by the coaching... and the head coach is in a place that is perfect for his disposition and personality... they've gotta slip some, by simple measure they were the MNC's (there it is again) last year... but does that mean they'll drop lower than second? dare say third? no it doesn't... they'll be second at a minimum, and it will be a toss up between them and the giant... but don't think they get past the scrappy one just like that... high and holding, that's what they are.
Ole Miss- is bound to trip a few this year... Lame Kitten has a way with strategies and tactics on game day, and he's every bit as slick as the ol' ball coach or tommy the congressional candidate river oat gambler was.. they're low as the edmund fitzgerald right now, but they have rockets attached to that hull... i figure they're low and rising.
MSU- is going to be an interesting thing to witness... the pirate is back in the SEC and has the controls down there, and nobody really knows what to expect from him except that it will be entertaining no matter what it is... they also have not much choice than to boost upward over the next three to four years (if he is still around), but this season may be a bit of a learning curve... they WILL take someone down they ought not... LSU? Bama? Low/mid and rising.
Arky- freakin' arky is like the tide.. they come in and they go out with to the second predictability... they're low, sorry to say, and their prospect of rising is unproven and shrouded in mystery. Low.. Stagnant..
aTm- has one tricky rascal, and i do mean rascal, at the helm... they'll boost this season by my reckoning but can they hold course? i suspect they'll land third behind LSU, but may split it with LSU... short term i'd wager perceptible but slight rise... long term i'd guess hold... and they're the top of the middle with a lot of potential below them in MSU and OleMiss, and giants above them in LSU and Bama... those exterior factors speaks to me they define 'holding'.
what are your thoughts on trends of programs?
-
Pretty much the same. I think the Vols will be a tough out this year if they get decent play at QB, which is an important if. But they have some heavy weights on their schedule, so they could easily be a pretty good team that is 8-4.
UGA will also hinge on QB play, and while they have two candidates who sound good, that has yet to be proven on the field. I'd give a very flight edge to Florida this year.
-
I agree with Cincy about Tennessee. They are upward bound with all those outstanding offensive linemen. I think it is a toss up between them and Florida as to who is second behind Georgia in the East.
In the West I think Texas A&M with the best qb in the League comes in second behind Bama. I think Auburn and LSU are equal as far as third place is concerned.
As far as Bama is concerned I hope the injuries that crippled last year do not return.
-
I won't bet against Bama until they get dethroned 2-3 years in a row. LSU is losing one of the greatest QBs I've ever seen in college. I think LSU/Auburn/A&M are vying for second. They might all end up 6-2 in conference play with some games hinging on a lucky play or three.
Florida goes to Knoxville this year, their only tough looking road game. But if there are no fans in seats (or no season at all) ....
Road games could be very quiet this year, no advantage for the home team.
-
An interesting possibility in all of this that would annoy SEC haters ... let's imagine UGA goes 11-1 with a critical loss to Florida, but Alabama beats Florida handily in the CG to be 12-1. Florida is say 11-2 now (loss to LSU).
The other conference champs are 13-0, 12-1, 11-2, 11-2 and ND is 10-3.
So, you have Bama, 12-1, Clemson 13-0, Ohio State, 12-1, and ..... UGA 11-1???? Have we seen this before? Yup.
-
I think LSU falls off to 9-3 or 8-4.
-
I think we'd all put LSU/Auburn/A&M in the 8-4 to 10-2 collection. I have no idea which is which of course except by guessing. Tenn might go there as well. I keep thinking UK will return to being UK but Brooks appears to be coaching them up, or something.
And yes, I can see UGA being 10-2 or even 9-3 if the do a South Carolina again. I've been watching games from '18 and '19 on youtube of late and it's interesting how many of their wins were pretty close near the half, and they caught a break that could have gone the other way, except in the USCe game.
I didn't watch that UK game last year in the rain (ugh) but I think it was 0-0 at the half.
And UK had no QB in sight.
-
I don't know who will play qb for Kentucky in 2020 but Phil Steele has them at 21 in the nation. One reason Kentucky held Georgia scoreless in the first half last year is because hey had a fine defense. They should be similar on defense as they have been the last two years and they have a strong offensive line. What kind of qb play will they get this fall?
BTW, he has A&M the number two team in the entire SEC.
-
I figure whether he has your team ranked 1st or 4th is pretty irrelevant when the spread is about 10 spots.
And of course the East very likely comes down to the WLOCP. UGA could lost to Auburn and Bama and beat Florida and not make it of course.
-
I think we'd all put LSU/Auburn/A&M in the 8-4 to 10-2 collection. I have no idea which is which of course except by guessing. Tenn might go there as well. I keep thinking UK will return to being UK but Brooks appears to be coaching them up, or something.
Brooks was 2 HCs back.
-
He's high on A&M because they return their QB and they're going from an all-time tough schedule to one that has only 1 tough game between them and starting out 10-0.
-
Brooks was 2 HCs back.
Heh, they all sound the same to me.
-
I think there will be a lot of surprises because of so many questionable starters at QB for the predominately top teams. Texas A&M and Jimbo haven't lived up to the predictions because they too have a QB problem one that is highly over rated.
Florida is probably in the best shape of the top teams at QB one with SEC game experience so look for them to be to the team to beat in the East.
I think Miss. St. may be the sleeper because of the receivers they recruited and a number one transfer at QB. They also have the leading rusher in the SEC for 2019. The thing that may prevent them from being a contender will be on how good their defense is going to be. But with Mike Leach you better be able to put points on the board if you're gonna beat him.
If Tennessee continues to start JG at QB just expect more of the same from last year, inconsistency. He hasn't improved that much in three years so don't expect him to be much better. If Maurer can stay healthy or Shrout has improved and Harrison Baily is as good as he looks on film then maybe one of the three can start and TN can be a contender in the SEC again.
-
I disagree on three of your four points. I think Kellen Mond is arguably the best returning qb in the SEC. I think Mond is a proven commodity. I think Trask is overrated and is a product of Mullen qb whispering.
I strongly disagree about Mississippi State even with the Pirate at head coach. The previous coach didn't recruit anybody and they will battle Vanderbilt for the basement.
I do agree that Guarantano is inconsistent and will continue being a problem for Tennessee. I do like Tennessee's Oline and expect them to be better.
-
I disagree on three of your four points. I think Kellen Mond is arguably the best returning qb in the SEC. I think Mond is a proven commodity. I think Trask is overrated and is a product of Mullen qb whispering.
I strongly disagree about Mississippi State even with the Pirate at head coach. The previous coach didn't recruit anybody and they will battle Vanderbilt for the basement.
I do agree that Guarantano is inconsistent and will continue being a problem for Tennessee. I do like Tennessee's Oline and expect them to be better.
You can disagree that's what people do on message boards but the stats says it all as does their won loss record.
Kyle Trask at Florida is the best returning QB and has the stats to prove it. He threw more touchdowns, fewer interceptions and has a QB rating 20 points higher than Kellen Mond. He's a better QB under pressure if you've seen them both play.
I rank Mond just a little higher than Guarantano at TN but not much. Mond has a better supporting cast of players is the only difference.
-
Obviously, the stats don't always "say it all". The stats might say that Aaron Murray was the all time greatest QB in the SEC, followed by Drew Lock and David Greene.
Would anyone here post them in their top three all time? Maybe.
-
Obviously, the stats don't always "say it all". The stats might say that Aaron Murray was the all time greatest QB in the SEC, followed by Drew Lock and David Greene.
Would anyone here post them in their top three all time? Maybe.
Do you ever engage your brain before putting your mouth in gear?
Comparing two QB of the same time period and same year is a hell of a lot different than attempting to say who was the greatest in the SEC.
Of course you wouldn't know that unless someone posted a link to explain it to you.
-
Ergo, "stats" don't say it all. They are a factor to be considered, but hardly do they "say it all"
Most folks understand and accept this.
-
I think there will be a lot of surprises because of so many questionable starters at QB for the predominately top teams. Texas A&M and Jimbo haven't lived up to the predictions because they too have a QB problem one that is highly over rated.
Florida is probably in the best shape of the top teams at QB one with SEC game experience so look for them to be to the team to beat in the East.
I think Miss. St. may be the sleeper because of the receivers they recruited and a number one transfer at QB. They also have the leading rusher in the SEC for 2019. The thing that may prevent them from being a contender will be on how good their defense is going to be. But with Mike Leach you better be able to put points on the board if you're gonna beat him.
If Tennessee continues to start JG at QB just expect more of the same from last year, inconsistency. He hasn't improved that much in three years so don't expect him to be much better. If Maurer can stay healthy or Shrout has improved and Harrison Baily is as good as he looks on film then maybe one of the three can start and TN can be a contender in the SEC again.
I concur with many of your thoughts, but will add a few caveats: JG has been inconsistent, but so has his coaching staff. This is the first year he has had any stability and he's a senior. It's also his second year with Chaney so I would not be surprised with him starting well and maintaining his consistency to a much greater degree. I am not enamored with JP's offensive philosophy as I never thought it was a great idea to try to beat Bama playing their offensive style. In fact, Saban has utilized more RPOs and spread formations. I have been impressed with Kyle Trask at Forida, but they are not an unbeatable team. UGA is still the favorite to me in the East, but this could be a year where Tenn makes strides over one of them. They have holes in receiver, but their O-line will take over some games. My only interest in Miss State is the pirate. I love that he's in the SEC and was excited when UT almost landed him. I see Mond having a better year as well so TAMU should contend for the West.
-
The best looking QB often benefits (duh) from a great OL and some great RBs, so he can pass with relative ease, versus a great QB hampered by lack of both and has to improvise on nearly every pass attempt.
It also helps to have some tall leapy WRs who make plays.
-
Obviously, the stats don't always "say it all". The stats might say that Aaron Murray was the all time greatest QB in the SEC, followed by Drew Lock and David Greene.
Would anyone here post them in their top three all time? Maybe.
Why would anyone suggest Murray is the best based on stats? 6th-highest in career rating.
-
Why would anyone suggest Murray is the best based on stats? 6th-highest in career rating.
Nobody with any notion about CFB would, but a casual drive by might. That's the point, statistics often provide a misleading picture, especially when cherry picked.