Now that the pre-conference schedule is coming to a close. I think we should have a pretty good idea where teams may stack up. If you struggle against out-of-conference teams; you sure as hell will struggle with the 10-week SEC grind.
First of all, I think the East will be better than the rest just like 10 years ago. And will likely be far better overall. I believe the Rebels are the class of the west as Arkansas is rebuilding and LSU is just plain overrated. I think Auburn -despite a quick start and Alabama will just be bad. Mississippi State's got problems that a whole feel of sports psychologists wouldn't be able to help
The east is better and may be wide open. A quick start will be imperative. Vanderbilt is rebuilding their pitching staff. Florida has had it rough with in-state foes in out-of-conference play. The same for Georgia. Tennessee is rebuilding a staff as well due to injuries more than graduation but if they can survive the first few weeks to heal; they may be the class of the East. Missouri may have a once-ever-decade season that could get them in upper half and in regional play. I'm still not sold on South Carolina but they did get off the mat to beat visiting Texas in 2 of 3
EAST
Vanderbilt 20-10
Tennessee 19-11
Georgia 15-15
Florida 15-15
Missouri 14-16
South Carolina 12-18
Kentucky 11-19
WEST
Mississippi 21-9
LSU 18-12
Arkansas 17-13
Mississippi State 14-16
Auburn 13-17
Texas A&M 11-19
Alabama 9-21
The biggest advantage for Vanderbilt and Mississippi is that they don't play each other and both host Tennessee. Tennessee may be a great team but still lose 2 games to each. They could then win every other series and still finish second in division and third overall. 11 losses is still just a little over 1 loss every weekend
Ole Miss really does have a huge schedule advantage. No Vanderbilt, no Florida, and no Georgia. They would have to fall apart not to win the conference with that schedule. In fact, Tennessee is really the only formable opponent in their first 4 weeks of conference play as they open @ Auburn, Tennessee,
@kentucky, and Alabama. Even if the Vols steal 2 games they should be well over .500 and leading the west.
LSU: With a highly ranked class coming in; this team may struggle as roster wonders what next year will be like. I'm not sold on Jay Johnson and LSU did not play all that well in Houston. They open in Red Stick against the Aggies then go to Gainesville.
Miss State will finish near .500 just because the Aggies, Auburn and Tide are bad. They should be better. But aren't.
Speaking of the Aggies. They've been disappointing early on. Ugly series loss to Penn. Ugly performances in Frisco.
I believe Auburn is a Paper Tiger. One good tourney win against Texas Tech. Series loss to a bad MTSU team. Tennessee Tech should have beat them last week as well as Auburn scored 3 late to steal the win.
Maybe I'm pessimistic on Alabama. The Tide held up well at Texas but still lost all three then lost their next game at home against UTM. But they are only beating really bad teams and also lost to North Alabama.
Vanderbilt avoids Ole Miss, but also weaker Miss. State and Alabama. They do have a late season tilt at Arkansas. After a rough start with Oklahoma State. The Commode Dores did well against some less-than-mediocre opposition. So I may be giving them too much credit like pollsters are doing. What if Missouri surprises the Dores in Nashville this weekend? Weather has hit Missouri harder than any other SEC team so they may be still in "Training"
As we know, the Vitellos play both Vandy and Ole Miss on road in back-to-back weeks. Should the Vols be over .500 after the third week then the world may be our oyster.
Both Georgia and Florida scream ".500"! They'll win the series they're supposed to win but also lose the one they're expected.
Missouri is a question mark
South Carolina may has well be the Fightin' Jekyll and Hydes. Clemson has crushed them but I don't like Clemson despite a gaudy 14-1 record. SC has been their only competition. The Gamecocks did surprise #1 Texas in sweeping both Sunday games. (a 7 inning and 9 inning game) But as we know from history. South Carolina RARELY leave the Carolinas in pre-conference play. They have played 1 road game and 2 neutral site games. However, 1 of those neutral site games was still in Columbia, SC anyway. They open at Tennessee and host Vanderbilt. They may be looking up out of a hole early on
