SEC by ESPN

#1
bigorange

bigorange

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#1
SEC spring wrap: Coaches dominate conference landscape

Points of interest (to me that is, not that it matters)

EASTERN DIVISION
1. Georgia
2. Tennessee
3. Florida
4. South Carolina
5. Kentucky
6. Vanderbilt
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Most underrated player: Jonathan Hefney, safety, Tennessee. Quick question: Who led all SEC defensive backs in tackles last season? It was the diminutive Hefney, who also had five interceptions and plays much bigger than his 5-foot-9, 185-pound frame. He's started at cornerback and safety and also returns punts for the Vols.
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Team that may disappoint: Florida. There's still enough good young talent in the program to compete with everybody on the schedule, but how do you lose nine defensive starters and not have some drop-off? There's also the question of how Tim Tebow will adapt to being an every-down quarterback, and whether he can stay healthy running as much as he does in the SEC.
SEC champion: LSU. Two years ago, Matt Flynn stepped in for an injured JaMarcus Russell and led LSU to a rout of Miami in the Peach Bowl. Now comes his chance to lead the Tigers for an entire season. The defense is the best in the league, maybe the best in the country, and new offensive coordinator Gary Crowton will play to Flynn's strengths on offense. This is a team that should be favored to win every game it plays.
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I think the majority would agree with this, thoughts?

:popcorn:
 
#2
#2
I doubt UGA wins the East or that LSU wins the SEC championship.

I do agree Hefney is somewhat underrated.
 
#3
#3
I read that earlier and thought most of what he wrote was true. The east is gonna be tough and with our secondary that Kentucky game scares me!
 
#4
#4
UGA is in the same boat as UF when it comes to the D they lost the majority of their front 7. 2 DEs, 3 out of 4 LBs.
 
#5
#5
eh, nothing really new there......the UGA pick to win the East, while not a stretch, is a little different. I don't know that FL finishes 3rd.

and my break out team would probably be USC.....o/t that, it's fine.
 
#8
#8
This year is such a toss up, it will be exciting for sure. Only question is will it be fun for UT fans?
 
#10
#10
tvolsfan said:
If Tebow can learn fast enough, UF will win the East again.
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The D is a bigger question than Tebow. The D won several ball games for UF while the offense was far from explosive.

Now alot of that D is gone. The D is the key for UF's season, not Timmy IMO
 
#11
#11
I think the defense will be fine. Teams like Florida can rebuild on defense quickly, although the line won't be as dominant. The offense will be potent the 2nd half of the year this time, but the start for them is the key.
 
#12
#12
tvolsfan said:
I think the defense will be fine. Teams like Florida can rebuild on defense quickly, although the line won't be as dominant. The offense will be potent the 2nd half of the year this time, but the start for them is the key.
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You don't lose 9 starters and be "fine". There will be a significant dropoff there. That's going to hurt UF because their offense hasn't really lit up any SEC teams. Timmy is not going to make that offense any better his first year running it than Leak did.
 
#14
#14
justingroves said:
You don't lose 9 starters and be "fine". There will be a significant dropoff there. That's going to hurt UF because their offense hasn't really lit up any SEC teams. Timmy is not going to make that offense any better his first year running it than Leak did.
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let's just say i hope you're right........but it's not like FL has been wallowing in 2nd tier talent in these past 2 or 3 recruiting classes.....

dropoff yes....are they national title worthy? maybe not. can they still win the SEC.......uh huh.
 
#15
#15
Florida will NOT win the SEC and will finish 2nd or 3rd in the east....quote me on this
 
#19
#19
justingroves said:
You don't lose 9 starters and be "fine". There will be a significant dropoff there. That's going to hurt UF because their offense hasn't really lit up any SEC teams. Timmy is not going to make that offense any better his first year running it than Leak did.
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take this for what it's worth....but ESPN.com has a pretty good read about FL this spring....
ESPN.com - NCF - Schlabach: Tebow ready to take full-time reins

i especially like that he threw for 17-27 for 216 and 3 TD's in the spring game, w/out the services of Percy Harvin who didn't play and Andre Caldwell who was held out of the majority of the scrimmage.

and as coach speak goes, i really liked this:
"Are we talented enough to compete for the SEC?" Meyer asked. "I'd have to say we are. Playmakers on offense aren't hard to find right now."

again, take it with the grain of salt and all........but that just doesn't sound like a team ready for a 8-4 year.
 
#20
#20
jakez4ut said:
take this for what it's worth....but ESPN.com has a pretty good read about FL this spring....
ESPN.com - NCF - Schlabach: Tebow ready to take full-time reins

i especially like that he threw for 17-27 for 216 and 3 TD's in the spring game, w/out the services of Percy Harvin who didn't play and Andre Caldwell who was held out of the majority of the scrimmage.

and as coach speak goes, i really liked this:
"Are we talented enough to compete for the SEC?" Meyer asked. "I'd have to say we are. Playmakers on offense aren't hard to find right now."

again, take it with the grain of salt and all........but that just doesn't sound like a team ready for a 8-4 year.
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They can go 10-2 and not win the East. I never said they were an 8-4 team. That's good and all the offense looked good in the spring, but that WR that lit it up, look back and look at Bill Grimes from 2 or 3 years ago for UT. Spring ball can be decieving.
 
#21
#21
justingroves said:
They can go 10-2 and not win the East. I never said they were an 8-4 team. That's good and all the offense looked good in the spring, but that WR that lit it up, look back and look at Bill Grimes from 2 or 3 years ago for UT. Spring ball can be decieving.
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that's why i said take it with the grain of salt.

but i do think it says something about the offense for FL that the guy can put up those kind of numbers w/out the two biggest threats available. that in and of itself says something...and let's not forget, he doesn't have to throw for 300+ a game in that offense.....he gets 200+ and another 60-80 on the ground.......they'll be tough to stop. and that's not counting any rushing production from WRs or RBs....
 
#22
#22
jakez4ut said:
that's why i said take it with the grain of salt.

but i do think it says something about the offense for FL that the guy can put up those kind of numbers w/out the two biggest threats available. that in and of itself says something...and let's not forget, he doesn't have to throw for 300+ a game in that offense.....he gets 200+ and another 60-80 on the ground.......they'll be tough to stop. and that's not counting any rushing production from WRs or RBs....
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Or the defense hasn't been able to reload and it sucks this year. UF has never put those numbers up against SEC opponents in the past with Urban at the helm
 
#23
#23
justingroves said:
Or the defense hasn't been able to reload and it sucks this year. UF has never put those numbers up against SEC opponents in the past with Urban at the helm
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that might mean something if he'd had the job more than 2 years.........:eek:lol:
 
#25
#25
justingroves said:
I know, just looking at the bright side man :eek:lol:
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that's fine, i generally consider myself an optimist as well, but over the years, i've definitely tried to take a more objective look at it......and when i look at TN and FL objectively, today, in May, i can't say honestly that i think TN is better than them right now.

can they win the game? sure, i would not be surprised at all. they are certainly capable of it.

but there is nothing right now that just jumps out at me and says "that's why we're better".
 
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