I didn't want to hijack REC's thread about Miami, but KP and I touched on 2 very big question marks in the SEC this year I think there's a good chance that Georgia could be mediocre and that South Carolina with Muschamp (thanks for reminding me of that hire) might be a total disaster. Who do you think might be the biggest flop in the SEC this year? If Georgia doesn't win 10 games and compete for the SEC title, they're a failure. That was the precedent set by Georgia themselves. South Carolina is a place where 2 of the greatest coaches who ever were could muster sustained success, but also managed success of winning 8 to 9 games.. I think that's the bar there now. Anything less than 7 is a disaster. What about Ole Miss? Lots of expectations down on the Grove. Auburn? Alabama is supposed to be rebuilding, so expect at least 10 to 11 wins this year. LSU with Miles on the hot seat to win the SEC? Who is your pick?
Yes, Alabama,new QB, inexperienced OL, defense should be very good but a lot of questions everywhere else. LSU may be the best in the west. Everyone is really high on Tennessee, and their QB is very good. We just have to wait and see. It may be a down year for the SEC. So y'all enjoy it while you can. :shock:
I still have no idea why anyone would hire Muschump... but I'm happy it was our perm East opponent. 8) And while I admit I'm looking through "hatred tinted" glasses, I don't see all the hype on LSU... They have a lot of talent, but their DCoord is a retread who has been mediocre most of his stops. And does anyone expect a fun and gun offense that will put up huge points overnight? How long does Big Leonard survive another year of being pounded?? Georgia has set themselves up for a fall. So much pressure. What does the sched look like?
Georgia plays the other six SEC teams in the East and Auburn and Ole Miss from the West. They open the Season with North Carolina and end the season with Georgia Tech. Plus two throw in games from minor opponents. A pretty tough schedule. Georgia Schedule You can find all the schedules here 2016 College Football Schedules
I think that the Gator future is bright under Coach Mac. But this could be a tough year for the Gators but come next season and beyond look out for the Gators.
Bill, hopefully Smart, Muschamp, and MacElwain will all get a couple of years to get their own players in place. Smart may have the best pool of talent on hand but Florida has a lot of talent too. The question becomes does the talent on hand match the philosophy of the new Head Coach or how well does the new Head Coach adapt to the talent.
Possible flops with expected records vs. what could happen flopwise: Alabama 13-1 , 10-3 Auburn 10-3 , 8-5 Florida 9-4 , 7-6 Georgia 10-3 , 8-5 Tenn 11-2 , 8-5 LSU 10-3 , 8-5 Ole Miss 10-3 , 7-6 Anyway..... just my humble opinion of course.
Even the craziest of denial living Alabama fan doesn't have this team at 13-1 this year. In fact, I'd reverse that. I'd say most Bama fans are looking for a 10 win season, and I personally think they could be on another title run. It's real hard to beat teams when you can't score. I should point out, that this isn't an SEC slam thread. I plan on doing one for everyone. We gotta bunch of time between now and kickoff so I am pacing myself. Also, the July arrest reports haven't come in yet. Those always play a part in early season games and the SEC has a lot of great early season matchups. To chime in a bit, if Tennessee doesn't win 10+ games this year, I'm not sure when they're going to do it. They have a perfect storm of circumstance set up in their favor. That being said, I still see the Gators as the favorite in the East (in my opinion). The shine is off the halo at Ole Miss, but they've still handled Alabama recently. To me, I think South Carolina could be a very mediocre team with a good defense and my two flop picks are Georgia and Auburn.
I am conditioned to think Alabama will be that good.... especially in light of their annual recruiting bonanza in Feb. I did forget SouCar and I agree they should be an improved lot on defense but I cannot imagine a Will Muschamp offense at South Carolina being worth a tinker's dam. 7-6 expectation with a 4-8 flop season for the Gamecocks.
What coaches on the above teams would be on the hot seat if they match the flop numbers vs. the expectations? Auburn, Tenn, LSU and Tex A&M
MCG, if Tennessee or LSU beat Alabama it would make the seat cooler even if they only achieve the flop prediction. If Auburn goes 8-5 and loses to Alabama, Malzahn's seat will get real warm. Tennessee's getting a lot of hype right now and expectations are high. If Miles loses 5 he may be gone. 8)
KP I agree an 8-5 season with an unexpected upset of the Tide and Jones and Malzahn probably get another year. 8-5 or maybe even 9-4 for either with another loss to Bama and they are probably gone..... although if Jones could get the Florida monkey off his back that may be just enough to save his hide. No question that the Vols are orange flavor of the day in college football so a whole ton is expected of them..... more than I can remember in the past 10 years or so.
LSU certainly has high expectations, and many are saying it's the best LSU team in quite awhile. But have they figured out how to have a passing game or will they just pound the rock and play defense? Vols should have high expectations. Butch has had time to rebuild, he has a very good vet at QB and a lot of success on the recruiting trail since he arrived. I can't imagine this is some make or break year for him though. Alabama fans should have high expectations, like all college teams do they lost some good players and a very good DCoord. But Saban has recruited extremely well since he arrived and they have depth. So you might no have heard of the new guys but they aren't some 2 star project that will be trotting out there. Nobody knows who the QB will be for sure, but who ever he'll be he will have been highly recruited. It's tough to go undefeated, but Alabama always has a shot to do it under Nick. I can't see a 3 loss season for him though unless he has a bunch of key injuries.
LSU plays Wiscy at Lambeau, Auburn at Auburn where weird things happen, Florida at the Swamp, Arkansas at Fayetteville and Texas A&M at College Station. That's 5 tough road games right there and that doesn't cover their home slate of Alabama, Ole Miss, Missou and Miss State. Their other noncons are against South Alabama which is still in its infancy, but they do play FCS Jacksonville State, who can give anyone a game. There's a lot of mines in that field for Les with these high expectations.