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I was ready for the banter to begin a month ago. It's good to see that others are, too!


I'm gonna throw some general commentary out here each Monday (OK, usually Monday ), focusing on one Conference per week. Agree, or agree to disagree - no matter! As long as it doesn't degenerate into nastiness, and it's in the spirit of liking College Football... it's all good!

'Sides, we can be just like the B(c)S, and "generate a lot of debate"!!!



I hope you guys like this, 'cause it takes a TON of time to type. Let me know if you do, please!!



SO, let's begin with what many folks view as being the biggest power-conference of them all...

Monday Tuesday Morning Quarterback - the SEC

Western Division
LSU - Given that they won the National title game in January, this is the place to start. There are some big holes to fill in key offensive skill positions, and a few defensive positions, as well... will it be a rebuilding year, or will they be able to reload right off the bat? And, will the 'luck factor' hold? Yes, there was some insanely good fortune in games against Florida, Auburn, and 'Bama last year... but don't forget that there was some bad luck, too (Kentucky and Arkansas) - it somewhat evens out. Key road contests at Auburn and Florida, in their first two games on the road, will show us what they've got. Their first goal? Win the West again, to get themselves to the SEC title game.

Bama - 'Patience' and 'Tide Fan' go together about as well as oil and water. Nick was seen as the savior upon his arrival last year, but a 6-6 regular season, with 4 consecutive losses to end it - particularly UL Monroe and that heated rival Auburn (six consecutive, now) - are things which don't sit well with the Alabama faithful. They've got good experience at the skill positions now, though, so this could be their year to shine. John Parker... it's now or never, buddy.

Auburn - This is a team about which I really don't have any solid gut-feeling going into the season. That close loss to LSU cost them the SEC West title last year; they play them at home this year, a definite plus. Cox is gone at QB, but as he wasn't anything stellar, that's not a crushing loss. Key road games at 'Bama and West Virginia highlight their schedule.

Hawgs - Many Arkansas fans welcomed the departure of Houston Nutt... but is Bobby 'the Weasel' Petrino an improvement? Louisville fans wouldn't be expected to think so. Still, Casey Dick appears to have shown dramatic improvement at QB, which must be there in the fall to account for the loss of the superlative McFadden - Jones combo. Ryan Mallett transferred here from MEE-she-gun, but suffered an injury in the spring - which might be good for next year's outlook. Key games Texas and Auburn away games loom large... but the key game? October 25th. Houston returns to town. HOO-boy!!

MS St. - What a season last year was. Wins against both Alabama teams, and Egg Bowl and bowl game victories, highlighted a solid 8-5 season. Can they sustain it into this year, though? Road games at GA Tech, LSU, TN, 'Bama, and MS might make that too big a hill to climb.

Ole Miss - 0-8 in the SEC? No wonder Ed Orgeron's gone. Coach Nutt has nowhere TO go but up. Jevan Snead, a Longhorn transfer, may provide some offensive spark. Home games vs. Vandy, SC, and MS St are certainly winnable.


Eastern Division
Dawgs - A number of sources have these Dawgs at NUMBER ONE in their preseason polls. Is it warranted? They're returning a ton of experience, that's for sure. Stafford had a good year at QB last year, and he's only a junior in '08; and, their RB stable looks solid. They've got a very, very tough away-game schedule this year, though - an early game against the Sun Devils, and four straight SEC games against LSU, FL, KY, and Auburn starting in late October. Can they run the table, or end the regular season with only one loss? Time will tell.

Gators - Don't look now, but Florida might be in the national title hunt, too. They've an obviously good QB in Tebow, and some workhorse ball handlers, but the receiving corps was riddled with injuries this spring and must get healthy. Meanwhile, the defense returns a vast amount of experience. A tough schedule including Miami, @ UT, LSU, Georgia, and @ the 'Noles looms, though.

Vols - Remember last year? The Vols were supposed to finish behind those two teams directly above, but won the SEC East. Can it happen again in 2008? That could be a very tall order, given that they're starting a new QB in Jonathan Crompton... but, perhaps even more importantly, they lost OC David Cutcliffe, who took the head coaching job at the graveyard that is Duke. The maligned defensive unit from last year gained key experience in '07, being 'thrown into the fire' as they were; they'll need it while their QB gels in the early part of the season. The tough road games, at UCLA, Auburn, and Georgia, will all be in the books before mid-October rolls around.

Wildcats - Uh-oh, Kentucky fans ("How YOU doin', Ashley baby?" ) - the Woodson era is history. Yeah, we're talking some BIG shoes to fill... as well as those of their leading rusher, and four of their top receiving targets, from '07. Rich Brooks is showing a positive face, but given the losses on offense, that might just be window dressing.

Gamecocks - 'Nilla HATES the cocks... well, sometimes. But, I digress. After that promising 6-1 start last year, the Gamecocks lost 5 straight, a thing which would've seemed unimaginable for a Spurrier-led team back in his Gator heyday. Their revolving QB's from last year didn't assert themselves early this year, throwing INT's galore in the spring game - not a good thing to see for SC fans.

Vandy - Are there ANY Commodore fans here on this board? I have my doubts. If so... it'll probably be another bleak year for you in Vandyland. The offense has been crushed by departures - Earl Bennett at receiver, the entire O-line, and the starting QB - all gone. The defense is said to be quite good, but carrying this highly inexperienced offense will be rough. In short, the 26th consecutive losing season is looming large... but with cupcake non-Con opponents Miami of Ohio, Rice, and Duke - who knows?