This year there appears to be four tiers to the SEC. Unlike the past two seasons, there is a lack of certainty at the top of the SEC. Like 2008 and 2009, the teams most likely to win their respective divisions are Alabama and Florida. There are, however, three legitimate dark horses in the conference as well as two teams who can beat any team if the pieces fall right. As always, the depth the SEC offers is unrivaled.

This preview will not focus on all teams equally. The excellent and interesting teams will have an in-depth analysis. The lower-tier lacks talent, coaching (especially Vandy after Bobby Johnson left suddenly), hope, and space in this article.

I. The Champs

ALABAMA**: Question marks on defense (with a great scheme). Lots of potential on offense (with a head coach who wants to limit offense). Alabama is the enigma of national title contenders.

Offense: Heisman winner returning? Check. His more talented backup returning? Check. The player hyped for their Heisman campaign in the preseason of 2009? Back. Quarterback who has never lost a game he started? Back. Head Coach who hates offense? Strangling offensive potential as if his name was Jack.

If Greg McElroy can take a step forward, Alabama has the talent on offense to put up some major points. They will never be as explosive on offense as a Florida (due to scheme and mentality), but Alabama can efficiently slit the throat of any opponent they face (like Texas and the aforementioned Florida last year).

Defense: While Alabama did lose essentially everyone, Nick Saban and Kirby Smart are still running the defense. Saban has stocked the Alabama roster with blue chip talent since arriving in Tuscaloosa. The 2009 defense (#2 in total defense, #2 in scoring defense, #2 in intercepted passes, #2 in pass efficiency defense) will not return, but that kind of defense won’t return to college football for a few years.

The defensive line returns a budding star in Marcell Dareus, who is under investigation by the NCAA for allegedly attending a party thrown by an agent. The

two NTs who are fighting to replace Mount Cody are 60-70 pounds lighter than their former defensive anchor.

The linebackers return a sometime starter in Dont’a Hightower, who missed most of 2009 with a blown out knee. The secondary also returns a single starter in strong safety Mark Barron. The rest of both units are filled with young blue chip talent, with most positions unsettled as of now.

Prediction: With Florida and Georgia having more question marks than Alabama, all I can say is C’est Bon. Alabama should be a legitimate national title contender. Saban has to resist the urge to shut down the offenses in close games, because Alabama won’t be able to squeak out every close win like they did in 2009 without allowing the offense to open up and put up points.

FLORIDA: Jesus has left us, and now we look to see if Urban Meyer can resurrect him. If Meyer has his own personal miracle doctors working on the case, I’m sure this will be no problem.

Offense: John Brantley assumes the starting role, replacing the living legend that is Tim Tebow. While Tebow was an amazing runner who lacked any sort of advanced passing skill, Brantley is the opposite. A big kid with a live, accurate arm, Brantley will be the first pocket passer Urban Meyer has arguably hitched his wagon to as a head coach. Florida’s offense is an option offense which relies heavily on the actual running (not just the threat) of its QBs running, so it will be interesting to see if Meyer can keep the juggernaut rolling.

Florida lost Riley Cooper to graduation, and returns super-talented, yet unproven kids. However the WR position has never been one to worry about at UF due to the offensive system. It’s not even worth getting into individual analysis, as UF relies on a plug-and-play roster at receiver. Know this, whomever they play, and wherever they line up, they will be explosive.

Florida shifted Chris Rainey to the slotback role that Percy Harvin made hum. Behind him is Andre Dubose, the last kid I’ve seen who reminded me of Percy Harvin (redshirted due to injury last year). Former USC Trojan Emmanuel Moody returns for what seems like his 8th year in college. He’s a traditional back who fumbles a lot and always ends up in the doghouse. The now fastest player in college football, Jeff Demps, rounds out the RB roster.

Defense: Florida loses its coordinator, its leader, and its defensive line. Meyer has anointed one defensive tackle in the past 3 recruiting classes as the new key to the defense. If he can bat .667, UF should be solid on the defensive line. No team has recruited as well as Florida has the past 4 years, but they must find pass rushers to replace Carlos Dunlap and Jermaine Cunningham. Joe Haden left early, and Meyer must continue to strike gold in recruiting to keep things rolling. The defensive shift is eerily similar to 2007, after the mass-exodus following their 2006 national title.

Prediction: Urban Meyer retired for 3 days or so in the offseason and is back in the saddle. It is unlikely that Florida falls as far as it did in 2007 defensively, however it is even more unlikely that Brantley will

II. The Dark Horses

AUBURN**: The mix-match of coaches in the post-Tubberville era led to a mix-match of schemes vs. talent in 2009. This year is no different, with a former savior-replacer now the savior of a different program.

Offense: The Cameron Newton era begins. The heir-apparent to Touchdown Jesus with a problem in declining to accept stolen goods. Newton is perhaps the second-most talented QB in college next year behind Jake Locker. He’s big, mobile, and has a laser arm. The problem is his decision-making (both on and off the field). In 2009, the Auburn offense (a spread/spread-option mix) had a throwing QB in Caudle and a running QB in Burns. Having a QB who can do both may transform Auburn’s offense to true elite status. (16th total, 17th in scoring in 2009).

Ben Tate is replaced by Mario Fannin, a similar “jack of all trades” back. The top-ranked RB by some, Michael Dyer, will also see plenty of playing time. He may be the starting back by the end of the year. The spread aspects of the offense won’t work without receivers, and the Tigers have plenty in the wings. Darvin Adams, Terrell Zachery, Deangelo Benton, and Emory Blake should be the starting four. Talent at the skill positions is not in question on the plains.

The offensive line returns 4 of 5 starters from a good line. The transition from the pro-form sets of Tubberville went smoothly to Malzahn’s new offense. There is little worry on the offensive line.

Defense: Auburn gets by defensively with effort and not talent. While the offense has had a talent injection with immediate results, the defensive side of the ball

Auburn returns its 3 linebacker starters, however depth is a major problem area. One injury and this unit will fall into the abyss. Auburn’s secondary is the opposite. 3 potential starters are coming off serious injuries, and it is unknown how they will return, or who will start in their place.

Prediction: If all the pieces fall in line and the defense gels, Auburn is a true possibility for the SEC title. If Newton or a LB gets injured, that single loss could derail the entire season.

GEORGIA**: When Georgia has its head on straight, it can beat any team in the nation. The problem is this reputation has been the hallmark of the Georgia program under Mark Richt. The good news is that UGA typically does better when the deck is stacked against them and expectations start out low. The bad news is there are many dark clouds over positional units on the team, with a failure at any likely leading to a mediocre season.

Offense: Mark Ingram may have won the Heisman, but AJ Green is the true offensive superstar in the SEC. He has a Randy Moss-like blend of height, speed, and tenacity on jump balls. When AJ Green has a quality QB throwing him the ball and his head is on right, he literally cannot be stopped in college. I cannot gush about AJ Green enough. His only weakness is his inability to stay healthy.

Georgia returns its 5 OL starters who finished 2009, along with a returning Trinton Sturdivant, who was their most talented OL (playing the most important position) before tearing up his knee (again) in 2009. UGA has an embarrassment of riches in the trenches.

At RB Georgia returns some legit talent. Caleb King and Washaun Ealey should be able to average 120-140 yards per game between them behind the great OL they inherit. They should be able to anchor the offense and relieve much of the pressure on their new quarterback.

Aaron Murray is the next in line of super-recruit QBs at Georgia, following in the footsteps of Matthew Stafford and DJ Shockley. Foolish loyalty to senior Joe Cox kept Murray away from the field, and he redshirted in 2009. With a year in the offense under him, Murray steps into the lions’ den of the SEC as a green, RS Freshman QB. Murray is much more like DJ Shockley than Stafford, as he has mobility and a good, not great, arm. His recruiting profile on Scout.com listed 2 of his 3 main positives as poise/leadership and decision making. He’s no threat to go #1 in the NFL draft, however this will matter in 2012, not 2010. Murray was not good in Georgia’s Spring Game (10-of-22, 96 yards, one interception) which raises some doubt as to his readiness to assume the starting role for UGA. If Murray lives up to the hype early, Georgia could have an explosive offense. If Murray falters, 5-6 losses are likely.

Defense: If any person acts like they know what the UGA defense will be like next year, they’re lying. George is transitioning from the 4-3 to the 3-4, and the same basic questions surround this transition like they always do. We do not

know if they will have the necessary bulk for the NT, nor if the former DEs turned rush-LBs will be able to perform the role.

On top of these schematic question marks (as well as the quality if the coordinator himself), Georgia lost its 5 quality starters from a horrid 2009 defense. To make matters worse, they lost these players “up the gut,” losing their best 3 DL, impact LB Rennie Curran, and super Safety ReShad Jones. You’d think Alabama, who lost basically everybody, would have the biggest question marks on defense, yet you’d be wrong.

Prediction: UGA could win the east if its defense falls in line and Murray can live up to his recruiting hype. UGA could also lose 6 games and I don’t think anybody would bat an eyelash outside of Athens…OK, well I’m guessing most in Athens wouldn’t be too shocked at this either.

LSU**: Les happens.

Offense: LSU returns its starting QB and little in terms of skill positions. Terrence Toliver assumes the Clayton/Bowe/Lafell role at WR. A former 5-star recruit, and one of the quickest 6-5 players you will ever see, the talented Toliver must learn how to play wide receiver. He played in an option offense in high school and lacks route running discipline as well as elite hands.

Stevan Ridley, Michael Ford, and redshirt senior Richard Murphy form the RB stable. Ridley is a big back/fullback hybrid who did not step up in 2009 at an elite level. Ford is a redshirt freshman who has high expectations. Murphy is an athlete who has not performed on the field outside of one Spring Game. Super sophomore Russell Shepard assumes a RB/WR hybrid role.

The Offensive Line was the main source of the offensive problems (on the field at least) in 2009. The 2009 OL returned 3 of 5 starters, but the 2 new entries were small and weak and were too often man-handled at the point of impact. Ciron Black went from projected 1st round draft pick to undrafted due to shot knees. Lyle Hitt was not a quality OL, even though he started on the 2007 national champion team. The newcomers are bigger, stronger, and unproven.

Further complicating matters on offense is that the Gary Crowton offense itself. The former spread guru adopted the spread option while at Oregon, with mixed results. Crowton likes to add parts to the offense without any real understanding of the part, and no feel to how they should be incorporated within any rhythm. This is best seen with the starting quarterback.

Jordan Jefferson is a talented QB who is scared to repeat the mistakes of Jarrett Lee in 2008. He has the physical ability to run with no running ability and a fear of being hit. He needs time in the pocket that the OL could not provide in 2009. He is very talented, but may be mentally unstable. A single offensive identity and the continuity it provides could pay major dividends. A mess of an identity could lead to another mess on the field (total offense of #112 in 2009).

Defense: John Chavis brought a bend, but don’t break defense that gave up yards (#26 in total defense), but prevented points in the red zone (#11 in scoring D). LSU boasts the best cornerback in college football in Patrick Peterson and 3 counterparts who form the likely best secondary in college football. The DL is a work in progress, with LSU switching to more of a smaller/faster line. Kelvin Sheppard is a good LB who will likely end up overrated by the end of the year.

Prediction: Finding an identity on offense will make or break this year for LSU. The defense should be as fast as any in the nation, but if it is left on the field too long, it will wear down in-game and over the season.

III. The Challengers

ARKANSAS**: Bobby Petrino brings the Big12 to the SEC, for better or worse.

Offense: Ryan Mallett is six feet, seven inches of meth-infused fury. He has a rocket arm, a rocking mullet, and will one day have enough tats to make Kat Von D jealous. The Hogs will rotate four backs in a true committee approach, however the heart of this team will remain the passing schemes of Petrino run by the possible Heisman candidate Mallett. The receiving corps returns a lot, anchored by the one member of the Sprindale Mafia who remained in Arkansas.

Defense: Arkansas ranked 89th in total D (58th in scoring D) last year while losing its only true impact defender to graduation. Only four starters return from a defensive unit which was short on talent to begin with. I don’t know if there is one defensive players close to an “impact” player. The good news is that the constant, sustained drives the defense will give up will allow the offense to rest.

Prediction: 7-8 wins. 1 upset of a top team. 1 horrible meltdown, and Bubba Hog does not get laid, once again

KENTUCKY**: UK is the serial killer of the SEC. It plods along in the background, clipping off a few programs along the way without anybody noticing. Did you know that Rich Brooks retired and Joker Phillips assumed his dream job? Exactly.

Offense: There is a three-way battle for the starting QB position. Derrick Locke has made the transition from track performer to football player. Former QB Randall Cobb makes the fulltime move to wide receiver and wildcat QB. The OL lost 4 starters, which hangs over this offense like a dark cloud.

Defense: The Wildcats return six starters, losing their only 2 impact defenders. Micah Johnson was a celebrated, rare 4-star recruit who graduated. Corey Peters anchored the defensive line.

Prediction: Kentucky will plod around winning its typical 7-8 wins. There will be one upset and at least one meltdown game.

SOUTH CAROLINA**: College football left Steve Spurrier behind, and he’s yet to catch back up. Now he’s taking a more active role as head coach, which means he’ll push his antique offense even harsher.

Offense: Achilles Garcia is a mobile QB with a rocket arm. Steve Spurrier’s offense typically uses a statue with a noodle arm. It’s no shocker that the blend hasn’t worked. Marucs Lattimore sparked the fanbase during recruiting season and should move into the starter’s role at some point during the year. The offensive line has been a disaster in the Spurrier era, and it has a new coach running the show. This time a zone-blocking/spread-option OL coach assumes the reins. Carolina boasts huge receivers who fit the passing game Spurrier wants to implement well. There is no wonder why the offense ranked in the 100s in 2009.

Defense: The defense returns 7 starters and was very solid in 2009 (15th overall, 24th in scoring.). The defense has not been the same since Tyrone Nix left for Oxford.

Prediction: South Carolina is a group of talented pieces who does not play as a team. This flows down from the top, as Steve Spurrier has, to put it lightly, not had the magic touch in Columbia.

TENNESSEE**: It’s Time. Again.

Offense: New head coach Derrick Dooley retained the same offensive coordinator that the infamous Lane Kiffin hired. UTenn was ranked 60th in total offense in 2009 behind the talented, yet maligned Jonathon Crompton. Another former super recruit, Bryce Brown, is transferring after one year in Knoxville. And their #1 back from last year graduated. There is little talent at wide receiver and the offensive line is still in transition from the Dave Clawsen era.

Defense: Year One PB (post-Berry). Skilled armed robber Janzen Jackson moves into the safety slot occupied by the great Eric Berry. Further complicating matters is the loss of the architect, Monte Kiffen.

Prediction: It’s Time…for more arrests, meltdowns, riots, and a feeling of place that should not exist within the fanbase. Sadly for Vol fans, Dooley will be given too much “he needs to correct the mess that Fulmer/Kiffin left” leeway. He’ll have enough rope to hang an entire family of hillbillies by 2013.

IV. The Hopeless

MISSISSIPPI STATE**: There is an energy surrounding this program that hasn’t been seen since Jackie Sherrill was castrating bulls. The problem is talent and money.

Offense: Dan Mullen brought the Florida spread option to Starkvegas in 2009 and it was relatively successful (moving from one of the worst offenses in college to 65th in 2009). Sylvester Croom insisted on installing a complicated West Coast offense which requires elite QB talent to perform well. Instead of elite talent, Croom started low-level recruits early in their career to horrible results.

Mullen’s option-based system allows MSU to utilize what talent they have in large quantities in their backyard: mobile athletes. Tyler Russell is a mobile QB who should fit the system. He’s the most talented QB in the program in years. He had better be prepared to be hit, as the passing offense was horrible last year (113th in the nation).

Chad Bumpis is a playmaker who the Dogs will rely on heavily. He will have to step up to replace the legend of Anthony Dixon, a great RB who deserved better than spending an entire career playing for Moo State.

Defense: If anybody cared about the Bulldogs, James Carmon would be the second coming of Mount Cody. MSU boosts a very large defensive line which may have problems rushing the passer. 2 of 4 secondary starters return, both safeties. The pass D last year was 11th in the nation, which should remain consistent.

Prediction: The Bulldogs may go bowling this year. They will need to avoid laying eggs (especially in the Egg Bowl) and have an upset, which is possible.

OLE MISS**: 2009 was a major disappointment, with the team melting down surrounding its purported Heisman contender. Snead crashed, burned, and left. The good thing for Ole Miss is that it doesn’t have far to fall before hitting bottom. The bad thing for Ole Miss this year is that there is no Darren McFadden and Felix Jones to save Nutt’s season.

Offense: No more Snead. No more McCluster. No reason to get excited. I believe one offensive starter returns, left tackle Bradley Sowell.

Defense: Tyrone Nix loves to blitz. His defenses give up big plays and cause big negative plays. The defense will be anchored by Jerrell Powe, who can’t read this article. 3 other defensive line-mates return to anchor against the run. Nix’s defense may be un-done by an inexperienced secondary.

Prediction: Ed Orgeron’s talent is all but gone. A disappointing 2009 likely will lead to the slow decline that follows Houston Nutt’s tenure.

VANDERBILT**: While each tier had the teams listed in alphabetical order, Vandy’s place as #12 in the SEC is their legitimate ranking. Vandy won 0 games in conference last year and lost the only thing the program had going for it in former head coach Bobby Johnson.

Offense: No

Defense: Body

Prediction: Cares