2008 conference preview: SEC
by Matt Miller
The past two BCS champions have come from the Southeastern Conference, with Florida taking the crown in 2006 and LSU bringing it home in 2007. The conference will again feature some of the best football in the country in 2008.
The Florida Gators are atop most preseason national rankings. They return Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow at quarterback, along with the talented Percy Harvin and former USC running back Emmanuel Moody. There will be plenty of offense in the East this year with Georgia, led by a talented backfield of Matt Stafford and Knowshon Moreno. The Bulldogs are considered a top 5 team heading into the season, with loads of talent on the offensive and defensive lines. The battle for control of the East will come down to Florida and Georgia, with Tennessee always a threat. The Volunteers must replace Erik Ainge at quarterback, but they will be led by their bruising tailback, Arian Foster. South Carolina has improved under Steve Spurrier, but this is still a team without an identity on offense. The Wildcats of Kentucky enjoyed success in 2007 under Andre Woodson, but he has taken his game to the NFL.
The West could be a knock-down, drag-out division this season, with virtually every team having a shot at the title. LSU will again be favored, but they are replacing their entire backfield and leading receiver. They also lost two starters along an offensive line that paved the way to many wins in ’07. Challenging the Tigers will be Auburn, Arkansas and Alabama. The three teams are very similar, featuring solid running games and defense. The Razorbacks will be interesting to watch, with Bobby Petrino taking over the head coaching duties. Expect Alabama to be much improved in year two of the Nick Saban regime. Ole Miss features the best NFL prospect in the country with offensive tackle Michael Oher, but this is a young team learning a new scheme.
The season may come down to Georgia versus Florida Nov. 1 to determine who will play LSU for the conference title, and a likely National Championship spot.
Conference Power Rankings
1. Florida
2. Georgia
3. LSU
4. Auburn
5. Alabama
6. Tennessee
7. South Carolina
8. Mississippi State
9. Kentucky
10. Arkansas
11. Ole Miss
12. Vanderbilt
First Team All-Conference
QB- Tim Tebow, Jr., Florida
RB- Knowshon Moreno, So., Georgia
RB- Arian Foster, Sr., Tennessee
WR- Kenny McKinley, Sr., South Carolina
WR- Percy Harvin, Jr., Florida
TE- Cornelius Ingram, Sr., Florida
OL- Michael Oher, Sr., Ole Miss
OL- Anthony Parker, Sr., Tennessee
OL- Jonathan Luigs, Sr., Arkansas
OL- Herman Johnson, Sr., LSU
OL- Andre Smith, Jr., Alabama
DL- Greg Hardy, Jr., Ole Miss
DL- Jeff Owens, Sr., Georgia
DL- Geno Atkins, Jr., Georgia
DL- Eric Norwood, Jr., South Carolina
LB- Jamar Chaney, Sr., Mississippi State
LB- Brandon Spikes, Jr., Florida
LB- Darry Beckwith, Sr., LSU
LB- Danelle Ellerbe, Sr., Georgia
DB- Emanuel Cook, Jr., South Carolina
DB- Derek Pegues, Sr., Mississippi State
DB- Rashad Johnson, Sr., Alabama
DB- Eric Berry, So., Tennessee
K- Colt Davis, Sr., LSU
P- Ryan Shoemaker, So., Auburn
RS- Brandon James, Jr., Florida
Second Team All-Conference
QB- Matthew Stafford, Jr., Georgia
RB- Brandon James, Jr., Florida
RB- Keiland Williams, Jr., LSU
WR- Mohamed Massaquoi, Sr., Georgia
WR- Dicky Lyons, Sr., Kentucky
TE- D.J. Williams, So., Arkansas
OL- Ciron Black, Jr., LSU
OL- Mitch Petrus, Sr., Arkansas
OL- Antoine Caldwell, Sr., Alabama
OL- Jim Tartt, Sr., Florida
OL- Garry Williams, Sr., Kentucky
DL- Jeremy Jarmon, Jr., Kentucky
DL- Peria Jerry, Sr., Ole Miss
DL- Demonte Bolden, Sr., Tennessee
DL- Michael Goggans, So., Auburn
LB- Jasper Brinkley, Sr., South Carolina
LB- Rico McCoy, Jr., Tennessee
LB- Tray Blackmon, Jr., Auburn
DB- D.J. Moore, Jr., Vanderbilt
DB- Captain Munnerly, Jr., South Carolina
DB- Chris Hawkins, Jr., LSU
DB- Demetrice Morley, Jr., Tennessee
K- Daniel Lincoln, So., Tennessee
P- Ryan Succop, Sr., South Carolina
RS- Javier Arenas, Jr., Alabama
Conference Honors:
Offensive Player of the Year: Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Defensive Player of the Year: Eric Norwood, DE/OLB, South Carolina
Freshman of the Year: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
Top 10 Senior NFL Draft Prospects
1. Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
Oher very well may be the perfect prospect. His size, length, strength and agility are among the best ever seen in a college football player. The only thing that could keep him from being the No. 1 overall pick is an injury.
2. Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
Jackson is the ideal end for a 3-4 or 4-3 defense. His size and speed are a rare combination, prompting many to compare him to Mario Williams, the 2006 NFL Draft’s No. 1 pick.
3. Arian Foster, RB, Tennessee
A bruising combination of power, vision and speed. Foster is a classic Tennessee running back, quite a compliment considering the lineage there. He has the ability to be the first ‘back taken in the 2008 class.
4. Demetrius Byrd, WR, LSU
Byrd is the best receiver no one is talking about. He over-shadowed Early Doucet in 2007, and looks like the next first-round wide receiver from the Bayou.
5. Herman Johnson, OG, LSU
An enormous guard with the strength to move the line of scrimmage up-field. He can routinely handle anyone the defense puts in front of him. Johnson isn’t all meat though, he’s adept at pulling and trapping on outside runs.
6. Darry Beckwith, ILB, LSU
Beckwith has the potential to shoot up draft boards as an inside linebacker in the 3-4 defense. He’s athletic, strong and smart. Many compare him to a former SEC linebacker, and 2007 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Patrick Willis.
7. Jeff Owens, DT, Georgia
A space-eating tackle from another storied program. Owens combines all the traits you look for in a defensive tackle. He’s a lock to be a first-round pick in 2009.
8. Antwain Robinson, DE, Arkansas
Robinson may be at the top of this list after the season. Teams will fall in love with his athletic ability and natural pass rushing skills. He’s ideal as a pass rusher in the 3-4 defense.
9. Cornelius Ingram, TE, Florida
Ingram declared for the 2008 draft and then changed his mind, deciding to make another run for a National Championship. He’s an athletic tight end best used in the slot or off the line of scrimmage.
10. Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss
A name to remember for the ’08 season and upcoming draft. Jerry is an active tackle with the strength to stop the run and the quickness to split a double team and disrupt the backfield.
Top 5 Junior NFL Draft Prospects
1. Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
Possibly the best NFL prospect at the position in all of college football. Stafford has top-class arm strength with the touch to throw underneath. He is going to be a good one, and will be billed as a potential No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft.
2. Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
While some scouts will call Michael Oher the ideal tackle prospect, others will call Andre Smith that player. He’s leaner and possibly more athletic, but hasn’t yet dominated on the field like many feel he can. He compares favorably to D’Brickashaw Ferguson.
3. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
This will likely be hotly disputed. Tebow to some is no more than a runner, but when comparing him to other option quarterbacks Alex Smith and Vince Young, he’s as good of a passer. If Tebow can progress as a passer, especially on short routes, watch out.
4. Greg Hardy, DE, Ole Miss
Ole Miss is likely to have two first-round picks in the 2009 draft. Greg Hardy would easily make that three. He’s already being mentioned as the best defensive end in college, as a junior.
5. Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
Teams and scouts may argue about how to use him, but you cannot deny that Harvin is a game changer. Ted Ginn, Jr. was the 10th pick in the ’07 draft as a dual-threat player; Harvin may not fall much farther than that.
Conference Games of the Year
1. Florida at Georgia, Nov. 1
2. Georgia at LSU, Oct. 25
3. Alabama at LSU, Nov. 8
4. LSU at Florida, Oct. 11
5. Florida at Tennessee, Sept. 20
Non-Conference Games of the Year
1. Georgia vs Arizona State, Sept. 20
2. Alabama vs Clemson, Aug. 30
3. Tennessee at UCLA, Sept. 1
4. Florida vs Miami (FL), Sept. 6
5. Florida at Florida State, Nov. 29
Unit Rankings
Backfield
1. Georgia
2. Florida
3. Auburn
Receivers
1. Florida
2. LSU
3. South Carolina
Offensive Line
1. Georgia
2. Alabama
3. LSU
Overall Offense
1. Florida
2. Georgia
3. LSU
Defensive Line
1. Ole Miss
2. Georgia
3. LSU
Linebackers
1. Alabama
2. Florida
3. South Carolina
Defensive Backs
1. Tennessee
2. South Carolina
3. Alabama
Overall Defense
1. Alabama
2. Tennessee
3. South Carolina
Special Teams
1. Florida
2. Georgia
3. Auburn