SEC Preview - by Freddy Wills & 100% REAL MONEY BONUS

[Freddy Wills]

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The SEC has some major power in the college football ranks, but with all the glamor that surrounds 6 straight national championships, it all can be taken away with the way the BCS system is still set up. Suppose Texas and USC or Florida State go undefeated and an LSU or Alabama loses 1 game. The undefeated teams will be playing for the national championship and I believe my would state that Alabama could beat either and beat them easily. Until the four game playoff is instituted we will have a very interesting debate if that situation ever happens.


1. DE Jadeveon Clowney, Soph. South Carolina
2. RB Marcus Lattimore, Jr. South Carolina
3. QB Tyler Wilson, Sr. Arkansas
4. DT Anthony Johnson, Soph. LSU
5. DE Sam Montgomery, Jr. LSU

– defending champions are one of the favorites yet again in 2012 especially for the West Division. They have a more challenging schedule in 2012 having to go on the road to LSU in November in what could once again decide who goes to the national championship or they’ll face off against a team that can beat them from the East.

Offense – Enter new offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier from Washington and he'll have some work to do. Junior QB A.J. McCarron returns after he shined in the national championship where Alabama came out throwing 23-34, 234 yards without any interceptions. Four future NFL stars will be back on the offensive line to help support a 5 deep rotation at running back. Speaking of which Alabama loses the Heisman finalist, Trent Richardson but they believe Eddie Lacy could be even better after averaging an explosive 7.1 yards per carry last year.

Defense – The teams forte is the defense and they shut down LSU in the national championship game. They finished #1 in the nation in total defense, scoring defense, run defense and even pass defense. They did lose 5 starters, but they will still have one of the nation's best defenses with potential stars all over the plays starting up front with future NFL star Jesse Williams.

- It was unfortunate for LSU in terms of the way they ended the year after just a spectacular year, but they did it to themselves and they clearly were not last year's best team as they got dominated in the national championship. Now Tyrann Mathieu is also gone after head coach Les Miles dismissed him from the team, but 2012 holds just as much promise for the Tigers.

Offense - There was no threat of a passing game all year and now junior Zach Mettenberger must step up at QB. He's got more of a pro-style ability and he's complemented with the deepest group of running backs in the nation as well as one of the more talented offensive lines and even though Ruben Randle and TE Deangelo Peterson are gone there are many receivers that will flourish with Mettenberger at QB.

Defense - This group allowed just 11.3 points per game last year which helped them cover many , but there are some huge losses at each level. The one positive is that nobody will be able to run on this defensive line with the return of star DE junior Sam Montgomery and a very athletic junior Barkevious Mingo on the other side. The tackles are always great at LSU and sophomore Anthony Johnson will return to continue living up to his nickname of the "Freak." The group won't be as good as last year but once again it's going to probably come down to the Alabama game on whether or not this team will be playing for a national championship

– Will the dream be alive behind veteran coach John L. Smith who takes over for Bobby Petrino. The offense should not miss a beat under Smith who is skilled enough to keep it going. Their schedule breaks right getting LSU and Alabama at home, but they will still have to play those two teams which is never easy. With that said Arkansas will have the best offense in the SEC behind QB Tyler Wilson.

Offense – So most of the talk is about senior QB Tyler Wilson who returns after throwing for 3,638 yards on 63.2% with 24 TD and 6 interceptions and a 148.4 QB rating in the most challenging defensive conference. However, Wilson loses both of his top two targets in receivers Jarius Wright and Joe Adams, gets a boost with the return of junior running back Knile Davis who returns after missing the entire 2011 season. He rushed for 1,322 yards and a 6.5 ypc average in 2010 and I look for him to return to that effort in 2012. The offensive line should be most improved with the emergence of sophomore Bray Cook at left tackle.

Defense – unit continues to improve each year, but this year they'll be without Jerry Franklin at middle linebacker, and Jake Bequette at end who came up with 10 sacks a season ago. However, there is still a ton of talent back and athleticism all over the field for them to compete for an SEC championship. They need someone to step up in the absence of Bequette and that could be junior defensive end Chris Smith.

– The Bulldogs had a very impressive year in 2011 going 10-4 but falling short in the SEC title game and in the Outback Bowl against Michigan State. They continue to be in that second tier of great SEC teams over the past 6 years, but if there was ever a year for this team to get there it would be this year the way the schedule breaks. Road games at South Carolina and Missouri won't be easy, but if they get pas those they don't face LSU or Alabama and they get Florida at home. Of course they will still have to get by one of the big boys in the SEC championship game.

Offense – Junior Aaron Murray returns and that's a big plus despite his tendency to throw too many interceptions. He has a solid group of speeders at receiver with plenty of experience for the offense to improve, but there is a lack of a balanced attack without a running back and an offensive line that struggles to protect the QB at times.

Defense – This unit is severely under rated after finishing 5th in the nation in yards allowed. The 3-4 scheme is loaded at all 7 positions led by a great pass rusher in Jarvis Jones who is the star of the defense and one of the best outside linebackers in the nation. The secondary will take a few games to click after they lost a few guys to suspensions and transfers.

– Plenty of talent in the sunshine state as there always is, but 11 losses in two years is not acceptable. Will Muschamp has to step up in 2012 and prove why he is one of the nation's best head coaches. They'll have a favorable schedule with easy non-conference games missing Alabama and getting LSU at home.

Offense – This was the clear weakness in 2011 as they only averaged 329 yards per game, but luckily Charlie Weiss is gone and Brent Pease will take over with a ton of talent. The most improved group is the offensive line and the experience it brings back, but the biggest question mark is the QB situation with a starter still unknown among Jeff Driskel or Jacoby Brissett.

Defense – This team did not play aggressive enough and they were not making plays behind the line of scrimmage. That has to change if Florida wants to compete in the SEC in 2012. It's crazy to think a team like Florida with their recruiting history may struggle with depth, but it's a fact. They also are weak up front after the ACL injury to Ronald Powell. The tacklers will be fine at linebacker and safety. The potential is there for the corner backs to have a big year as well behind junior Matt Elam.

– Steve Spurrier has his team ready to contend for an SEC title and a shot at the national championship with the return of star RB Marcus Lattimore. They went 11-2 last year and they'll get Arkansas and Georgia at home with a tough trip to LSU in the middle of the season followed by a trip to Florida.

Offense – There will be questions on whether or not Lattimore is 100% following his injury, but we will find out right away behind a new offensive line that has to replace three starters. Alshon Jeffrey is gone at WR, but there is plenty of speed, but the team lacks a #1 to go along with a promising Connor Shaw.

Defense- This group finished 3rd in total defense last year behind LSU and Alabama, but lost 3 in the secondary and two at linebacker. However, they have one of the more aggressive defensive lines in the nation and are led by the dynamic duo in pass rushers Jadeveon Clowney and Devin Taylor.

– The Bulldogs schedule is kind early, but then they go on the road to Alabama and LSU in the span of 3 weeks to close out the season.

Offense – Junior Tyler Russel will take over at QB and you will see more of a pro style offense with some more passing with all of the top targets returning from a year ago. The offensive line has to replace the two starting tackles and the running game will have a rotation so it will be up to Tyler Russel to improve with a group of athletic targets.

Defense – The defense was one of the best in the conference and now they should be even better with tons of returners. They get All-American corner candidate Johnathan Banks back, and a group of linebackers returning fresh from being the strength of this unit a year ago. They will lose Fletcher Cox up front, but JUCO transfer Denico Autry is supposed to be the real deal and we will find out early just how good he is.

- Missouri seemed like more of a natural fit for the Big Ten where they were first alleged to go, but instead they struck the lottery and are now in the SEC. Or is it the lottery? Missouri will have its hands full playing in the best football conference in the nation. It will take a few years before they can start to land the type of recruits that competing in this conference requires.

Offense – in the Big 12 is an easy life for any offense and Missouri will be getting a wake up call in the SEC even with the return of junior QB James Franklin. Franklin will not be able to run on the linebackers in the SEC that's for sure so this group will have to come up with a different dynamic. Without a power runner and a TE to keep a defense more honest it's going to be a rough year for the group.

Defense – This is a huge question mark for a group that looks solid on paper. They come from the Big 12 where shootouts are the norm and they will have to adjust to a pro-style conference. They definitely have the talent to stay in games with a strong group of linebackers that's always pretty good against the run. They have an athletic secondary led by E.J. Gaines that will have to force turnovers.

- Derek Dooley is in his third year and time is running out on him promising results. They played Kentucky with a bowl bid on the line and lost last year.

Offense – Junior Tyler Bray returns at QB and the pieces should be in place for a huge year. After finishing 106th in the nation in scoring they are due for a huge year behind the arm of Bray and the return of star WR Justin Hunter. It could be among the best SEC passing attacks, but the inconsistency is the real question mark without a balanced attack.

Defense – The Vols used to be littered with NFL talents on this side of the ball and while they are still getting their share of NFL type recruits the results are not showing up. There is experience and depth and with a little luck this group could be back to being one of the SEC's best. However, there needs to be an emergence of a pass rusher which will help force turnovers and there is nobody in site to make that happen.

- was a hangover of a season after winning the national championship in 2012, but all in all they did not do too bad considering the massive turnover on both sides of the ball. The 5 games this team lost last year were to quality teams, Clemson, Arkansas, LSU and Georgia all on the road and then Alabama at home. Ironically they'll open up against Clemson on a neutral field and travel to Miss State and are at home against LSU to start the season in September so it won't be easy.

Offense - The strength of this team is experience and a running game, but new offensive coordinator Scott Loeffler will look to shake things up a bit and rely more on the passing game. After all they do have one of the nation's best TE in Philip Lutzenkirchen. At QB they have two guys that can get the ball down the field in Kiehl Frazier and Clint Moseley as well as a veteran group of receivers but having two QB's is never a good thing especially when pass protection is still a question mark from an offensive line that returns.

Defense - Auburn brings in a new defensive coordinator, but he won't change much and that means our opinion in correlation with our wont' change much for the Tigers in 2012. This was the second worst defense in the SEC last year and suffered through many growing pains as they had lost their emotional leader from the year before. However, they have the potential of a dominating line with Corey Lemonier and Dee Ford on the outside. On the negative side they are vulnerable to the run because one of their weaknesses is at linebacker, which is not a common theme for SEC teams.

– The Aggies seem more capable of producing in the SEC than Missouri although the are still stacked against them. It was a key for them to get out of the Big 12 where they were the shadow of the Texas Longhorns and now they have something else to offer the Texas recruits, which is playing in the SEC.

Offense – Senior Ryan Swope returns after 89 receptions, 1,207 yards and 11 TD's. The Aggies did throw the ball 537 times last year and now they have to start over at QB as Ryan Tannenhill is off playing for the Miami Dolphins. While the offensive line was great last year and returns all 5 starters there still isn't depth at running back and not having an idea on who you are starting at QB could be a huge issue.

Defense – This unit finished first in sacks and tackles for loss a year ago and now they are switching to a 4-3 defensive scheme? However, the secondary was still awful even with all the disruption going on in the front 4 as they finished 109th in the nation. The strength of the defense will still remain to be pass rushing especially from the linebackers who bring back Sean Porter, Steven Jenkins and a promising star in Jonathan Stewart.

– Commodores continue to be a surprising team over the years and they bring back enough experience in juniors and seniors that they could get to another bowl game.

Offense – They get 8 starters back with some quality depth. Senior QB Jordan Rodgers is nothing like his brother as he struggles with consistency, but the depth along the offensive probably won't help. Luckily he gets senior RB Zac Stacy back after he rushed for 1,193 yards on just 201 carries.

Defense – The defense was a shock a year ago as they were 18th in points allowed, but again like the offense it was too inconsistent. The defense returns 7 starters, but the losses were some big ones and now they have a lot of better passing teams on the schedule that could really impact their ability to win games in 2012.

– Hugh Freeze will take over in his first year with Ole Miss after successful runs at Arkansas State. I do not know if there is a bigger jump in college football moving from the Sunbelt to the SEC.

Offense – The star of the offense will be senior RB Brandon Bolden, but the offense is a mess everywhere else. Of course there is always a lot of hype surrounding the size of this offensive line but they never seem to live up to their potential. There is a lack of a starting QB and this unit does not figure to finish any better than they did last year which was 116th in the nation.

Defense – They have the potential to have two starting linebackers at linebacker in D.J. Shackelford and Mike Marry, but there still is a lack of a pass rush or run defense. The secondary is capable but without a pass rush they simply have to cover receivers too long and the results won't be good.

– If only this team could shift some of their recruiting efforts away from the basketball court and to the football field.

Offense – There really is not much to say other than there is nowhere to go but up. It does not help that they play in the best defensive conference in the land, but the Wildcats were 118th in the nation averaging just 260 yards and 15.8 points per game. They'll start sophomore QB Maxwell Smith behind an offensive line returning three starters. Smith will have a veteran receiver in La'Rod King to work with to improve the offense in 2012.

Defense – The defense finished 58th in the nation on defense, but unfortunately it won't get any easier after losing their two best players in linebackers Danny Tevathan and Winston Guy. The defensive line will be the strength with a core group of guys returning at tackle but there is not a natural ability to get to the QB and that will be an issue when facing teams that can actually pass. Get more advice and other