SEC football 2014

[31airborne]

Stirring the pot a lil early this year because I think it'll be a banner year for the SEC. Some amazing recruiting classes, esp at schools that have been at or near the bottom of the conference rankings, will lead to a surge in performance. Some stability at the head coach position is gonna be another enabler (esp for Tennessee). That said . . .

Really excited about LSU's prospects. Defense will be scary fast, a year smarter, and more experienced. The run game, esp now that we have a mobile QB who can also throw [sort of], could be devastating. This could be a great year. I'm thinking 2015 is the target for all the pieces to come together. Arkansas will rebound and will be a force. I don't see Kentucky, Vandy, A&M, or Mizzou making much of a run. UGA, Alabama, and USC have QB issues to sort thru but are rich with talent and coaching. Tennessee is gonna break some hearts this year - maybe an 8-4 year for the Vols. Florida will rebound a little but won't keep pace this year. MSU will continue to rise. That leaves Ole Miss and Auburn - the two teams that scare me the most.

The new playoff system, albeit only 4 teams, is definitely a move in the correct direction but not enuff, IMHO. It's possible that we could see 4 SEC teams in this year's playoff. That will piss the other conferences off and drive an expansion. A good thing, I believe. When we get to a 16-team slate I think the balance in conference representation will be there. We'll hafta realign bowls w/ playoff games but in the end the corporations who sponsor those games and the school that play in them will still get their $$$.

There you have it. Ol' Airborne's attempt at stoking up the rivalries.

Geaux Tigers!

 

[saltyduck]

While I agree with a lot of what you are saying there is no way we will see an all SEC playoff. While I can't stand Ohio State you have to believe that with the Big10 being weak they will be in the conversation. I think you will have 2 SEC teams in the playoff, but less than a 5% chance of 3.

I think its still a year to early for TN. The SEC is a line of scrimmage conference and TN is going to really struggle at O-Line this year. We have the best group of skill players on Offense that we have had in a long time but we are still shaky at best at the QB position and not sure if the O-line can give our QB time to throw and create enough holes for Hurd to run through.

Regardless, I think Butch has the Vols going in the right direction and we will be a force in the SEC very soon just probably not this year!

 

[mocs-tr20]

There will never be a 16 team playoff. I have done some research on the playoff system, and have listen to some of the founders of the BCS. They believe that a playoff system will ruin ratings, and in a way I have to agree. Think about regular season NCAA basketball games.... who watches the whole season. No one, because games at the first of the year really doesn't matter. Only when tournament time rolls around is when the majority tunes in. BCS founders are worried about losing viewers during regular season. I would have to say it would effect viewership some what at the first of the season, which TV networks are terrified of.

 

[mocs-tr20]

The way the BCS is set up makes every game a DO OR DIE...

 

[Pointer 78]

Yeah, Tennessee had an excellent recruiting class, but those freshman will need to grow up REALLY fast to be of any help. With a mediocre (at best) group of quarterbacks and a new offensive line, UT will be hard pressed to finish at .500. 2015 should show immense improvement and an upper echelon finish in the SEC.