I dunno about the East, but Arkansas will be playing for a spot in the playoff.
but with their new manufactured rivalry with mizzou, they'll have to beat mizzou first. couldnt get it done this year.
mizzou--graduates Marcus Murphy (leading? RB), Bud Sasser (leading WR), Markus Golden (1/2 of the celebrated DE pair), Jimmie Hunt (productive WR), 3 OL (no idea if they start), Lucas Vincent (product DL), and I guess Shane Ray could leave for the NFL (leading sacks). i cant see us losing this next year with all the talent they are losing.
UGA--graduates quite a bit of OL at least 3-4 were starters; have to replace hutson mason at QB; Gurley unsure if he's gone; looks like they return a lot of their defense, which wasn't that great this year anyway. Without their running game, and not knowing what they've got otherwise, does seem like they'd be too much for UT to handle. especially at home.
UF--unsure. roster would be in decent shape if muschamp weren't leaving/recruiting class weren't in flux. if mcelwain beats jones in his first year i would think we've got another decade of losing to UF in our future.
USC--lose dylan thompson at QB, lose nick jones and dameire byrd at WR who were both productive, get back almost all of their defense so should be improved. plus should get a decent class. just not sure whether UT can win again but we seem to be a good match up for them.
Kentucky--would assume improvement. don't see too many seniors graduating that i recognize. that Javiss Blue who had a good game against us is graduating. should still be easy enough for UT to handle.
Vandy--can only really go up from where they were at this year but still shouldn't be a powerhouse. no reason we should lose to them next year.
hardest teams to beat IMO 1. UGA 2. USC 3. UF 4. Kentucky 5. MU 6. Vandy
anyone else have a more informed list?