Brad’s 2009 SEC Football Predictions
Posted by deaconcat08 on August 17, 2009
It’s time for me to post my annual college football predictions. This has been circulating around on a spreadsheet for a month or so, but I decided I’d post it for everyone to see on my blog. The parentheses represents the national ranking of each team and the teams in italics are the ones I predict will go bowling coming December and January.
SEC EAST
1. Florida (2)- Too many people are picking them # 1 for me to do it as well. It seems like these “sure thing” national title picks often fall short (see USC in 2005)
2. South Carolina (15)- Call me a Homer, but this is my surprise SEC East pick. I’ve been calling for Garcia to breakout for a long time and without a QB controversy I think he does.
3. Georgia (18)- Not calling for the Dawgs to simply reload like a lot of people are. Not going to be easy to replace Stafford and Moreno, and the Dawgs have a tough schedule.
4. Tennessee (34)- Lane Kiffin’s mouth has put a bull’s eye on his team’s back. Not exactly what you want when you’re coaching a squad that didn’t even make a bowl last year.
5. Vanderbilt (59)- The Dores’ have everyone back from a squad that won Vandy’s first bowl game in 53 years. This year, a poor decision to schedule GT could cost them eligibility.
6. Kentucky (61)- Oddly enough the experts average ranked my 3 teams (UK, SC, and Wake) all together (48, 49, 50). In my opinion, the Cats are by far the worst of the 3.
SEC WEST
1. Ole Miss (8)- Yeah I realize this is the trendy pick right now, but with a great schedule and 16 Returnings Starters (R.S.) back from a squad that beat FL , then why not.
2. LSU (12)- In the best SEC West of all-time, LSU can win it if they can figure out their QB play. Has to play FL in the regular season though while Ole Miss and Bama don’t.
3. Alabama (13)- Team should be very good again, but new QB and offseason troubles worry me. Win over VT in the opener could set the stage for a repeat of ‘08.
4. Arkansas (44)- Petrino will continue to improve the Razorback program until he finds another coaching job elsewhere. The Hogs makes bowl game this year I think.
5. Auburn (66)- Looks like they’re becoming the FSU/Miami of the SEC: A once prominent program falling on hard times. The hires of Chizik and Malzahan are head-scratchers.
6. Mississippi State (76)- I admire Croom for stepping down when he realized things weren’t working. They’ll be much better off with Mullen, but not this year with only 4 R.S. on defense.
Predicted Champion: Florida
