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College Football Preview: SEC

Tyler Bray, Tennessee
Ranking the SEC
1. LSU
2. Alabama
3. Georgia
4. Arkansas
5. South Carolina
6. Florida
7. Auburn
Overview: The SEC has won six straight national championships and it appears that LSU will be the seventh. Les Miles has a super talented squad especially on defense headed by defensive end Sam Montgomery and defensive backs Tyrann Mathieu and Eric Reid. All three of them have a chance to be All-Americans. On offense Zach Mettenberger replaces Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee but he has weaker targets now. Though, he won't throw the ball too much with the talent that the Tigers have in the backfield with Spencer Ware, Michael Ford and Kenny Hilliard. Alabama might have lost a whole lot of talent on defense and Trent Richardson but a repeat isn't out of the question. QB A.J. McCarron has the smarts and potential to be a Heisman candidate. Eddie Lacy and Jalston Fowler should replace Richardson. They have a fantastic offensive line to run behind in Barrett Jones and D.J. Fluker. Aaron Murray is back meaning the Georgia could end up playing in the SEC championship game again. Murray has had two straight 3,000 yard seasons and a third is a lock. On defense the Bulldogs have a whole lot of talent and electrcity. Jarvis Jones is a tackler and a great pass rusher and the secondary could be one of the nation's elite. Arkansas should win ten games once more even without brilliant offensive mind Bobby Petrino. Most of that is thanks to the return of Tyler Wilson and Dennis Johnson. Knile Davis is back after missing all of 2011 with a broken ankle. He was one of the best backs in the conference before the injury. The defense has always been weak but 7 starters are back including Alonzo Highsmith and Darius Winston. South Carolina is a dangerous team if Marcus Lattimore can stay healthy. If not the Gamecocks will still be good with Connor Shaw, Bruce Wilds, Ace Sanders and Jadeveon Clowney, but not great. If Florida was in any different conference they would probably be an easy 10 win team and they still may be in the SEC. Jacoby Brissett will replace John Brantley at the quarterback spot. He has a huge arm and is very athletic. On defense Will Muschamp has this team playing hard with Sharrif Floyd, Jonathan Bostic and Jelani Jenkins. Auburn couldn't figure out who they wanted their QB to be in '11 which resulted in an okay, but not great season. The likely starter this year will be Clint Moseley who played some time last season. Onterio McCaleb is back after Michael Dyer left to Arkansas State, and is an underrated part of this squad. On defense this line is beastly with Corey Lemonier, Jeffrey Whitaker and Nosa Eguae. Texas A&M enters a new chapter this one in the SEC. Gone is Ryan Tannehill but other than him the Aggies have just about everyone back including Christine Michael, Ryan Swope and Damontre Moore. Expect a strong season but no getting past tougher schedule (Arkansas, Alabama, LSU). Missouri also enters its first year in the conference with a talented team. QB James Franklin is back for his junior year after a decent sophomore season. Kendai Lawrence is the back after Henry Josey injured his knee. Expect big things from the nation's top recruit in receiver Dorial Green-Beckham. Tennessee only won one SEC game last season but could bump that mark to around .500. Tyler Bray is back as a sure starter and he has the most talented group of wideouts in the nation to throw too in Da'Rick Rogers, Justin Hunter and tight end Mychal Rivera. I really like Vanderbilt considering they were a below .500 team last year. James Franklin has this team playing hard and they have the most talent since Jay Cutler's days. Jordan Rogers has the bloodlines to be a star and Zac Stacy should be an All-SEC back. Mississippi State did disappoint last year but has more stability at quarterback and will play harder. On defense expect big things from this secondary with Jonathan Banks and Corey Broomfield back. Kentucky is an okay team but should struggle with an even better conference. Max Smith is dangerous at quarterback and he has a great receiver in La'Rod King. Ole Miss didn't win any SEC games last year but has a lot of playmakers in Randall Mackey and Ja-Mes Logan. They might not win much this year or any.

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