Will the SEC win its seventh consecutive national title? The league seems even better set up this year than in any of the previous six. Alabama, LSU, Arkansas, South Carolina and Georgia all have elite talent and could beat an elite team from another league in the BCS title game. But at what point is the league too deep at the top? At some juncture, the members of the SEC will beat one another up to the point that the league plays its way out of national title contention. At least, that would be the case if there wasn't a four-team playoff on the way in two years that will double the number of teams that get a chance to play for the national title. Could this be the year that the SEC's best pound one another to the point that they eliminate themselves from title contention? Probably not. There has to be a one-loss team in there somewhere.
Which of the SEC's new members will find success sooner? In the short run, the answer is Missouri, but in the long run, it may be Texas A&M. This season, Missouri will get Georgia at home in a suspension-weakened state on Sept. 8. Should Missouri win that game, the SEC East race will get much more interesting. Meanwhile, the Aggies have a midseason slog that includes a visit from LSU on Oct. 20 followed by consecutive road games at Auburn, Mississippi State and Alabama. That isn't a recipe for immediate success. But Kevin Sumlin is a smart, energetic coach working in a fertile recruiting area. If he can convince some of the best recruits in the Lone Star State to turn their backs on the Big 12 and play in the SEC, Texas A&M could be a player in the West in a few years.
Does anyone stand a chance beyond the big three in the SEC West? Don't sleep on Auburn, which has a defense full of talented players who got through their growing pains last season. New coordinator Brian VanGorder, who ran the Atlanta Falcons defense from 2008-11, brings one of the game's great mustaches back to the league for the first time since 2004. (We're not counting his one-month stint at South Carolina. Neither are Gamecocks fans, who loved the job Ellis Johnson did.) Defensive end Corey Lemonier is one of the SEC's best pass rushers, and defensive tackle Jeffery Whitaker is an athletic 300-pounder who can play the run and the pass well. After losing Gus Malzahn, the Tigers could look quite different on offense, but they don't lack for speedy playmakers. Senior Onterrio McCalebb and sophomore Tre (La Soul) Mason should ease the premature departure of Michael Dyer as Auburn shifts to a more run-focused offense. Is Auburn ready to run the gauntlet and win the West for the second time in three seasons? Probably not. But don't be shocked if the Tigers beat at least one of the big three and make the race more intriguing.
So who really is the best back in the SEC? This question has no correct answer at the moment. Arkansas senior Knile Davis insists it's him, but South Carolina's Marcus Lattimore can make a legitimate argument. Meanwhile, Alabama's Eddie Lacy hasn't had a chance to stake his claim while patiently waiting his turn behind Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson. And let's not forget LSU's backs. The top four (Spencer Ware, Michael Ford, Alfred Blue and Kenny Hilliard) combined for 2,338 yards and 30 rushing touchdowns last year. Each probably could start at one of 100 other programs. One of the most intriguing subplots of the season will be the backs' race to prove Davis either correct or incorrect.
Will Florida or Tennessee return to elite status? It may seem like forever, but Florida went 13-1 in 2009. Meanwhile, Tennessee's 2007 SEC East title seems like it happened in another lifetime. So which one of these two traditionally successful programs is best set up for a return to its former glory? The answer should come Sept. 15 when the Gators face the Volunteers in Knoxville. Florida has a deep defense but a ton of question marks on offense. Tennessee has a quality quarterback (Tyler Bray) and a tremendous receiving corps -- made less tremendous by the announcement Thursday that Da'Rick Rogers is suspended indefinitely -- but a number of unanswered questions on defense. Georgia and South Carolina aren't getting any worse, so neither of these teams can afford an early stumble. The winner of the head-to-head can keep hope alive. The loser may be in trouble.
Will the SEC win its seventh consecutive national title? The league seems even better set up this year than in any of the previous six. Alabama, LSU, Arkansas, South Carolina and Georgia all have elite talent and could beat an elite team from another league in the BCS title game. But at what point is the league too deep at the top? At some juncture, the members of the SEC will beat one another up to the point that the league plays its way out of national title contention. At least, that would be the case if there wasn't a four-team playoff on the way in two years that will double the number of teams that get a chance to play for the national title. Could this be the year that the SEC's best pound one another to the point that they eliminate themselves from title contention? Probably not. There has to be a one-loss team in there somewhere.
