State of the SEC address - XMrAngryEyesxX's Blog

XMrAngryEyesxX's Blog

State of the SEC address

Posted on January 17, 2014 at 10:35 AM.

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The SEC has long been the dominant conference winning 7 straight national championships until Florida State topped Auburn in this years BCS title game (the last one I might add). With the upcoming playoff system, the future looks extremely bright. The talk of the south is the idea of having 2 SEC teams in the playoff system. This idea isn't farfetched because looking at the last 3 years you could find 2 teams for the playoff (for example this year with Alabama and Auburn). In my honest opinion, I don't think this could really happen because I believe conference champions will play a huge factor in the choosing of playoff teams which could eliminate another team from the SEC being chosen. The SEC as far as it's teams go are definitely strong moving forward. Let's look at key teams to be on the watch for in the coming year.

It's the right thing to do to start with not only the biggest surprise of the conference but it's best team at the end of the year, the Auburn Tigers. With the much needed exit of Gene Chizik and rehiring of Guz Malzahn, the Tigers have quickly turned the program around from a 3-8 season to an astounding turnaround at 12-2 under Malzahn in his first and capped it off with an SEC title and BCS championship game appearance. With Auburn returning almost all of its starters, including quarterback Nick Marshall, there is no doubt Auburn is the early favorite for next season.

Missouri was the SEC runner up this year in just it's second season in the conference. Behind the arms of quarterbacks James Franklin and Maty Mauk, the Tigers were able to beat key SEC opponents and show they are a threat in the east just as Texas A&M has showed the west. Missouri ended its season with a win in the Cotton Bowl capping off an impressive season at 12-2 in only the Tigers' second season in the conference.

The Florida Gators certainly had a season that they will look to as motivation to turn things around next season. Head coach Will Muschamp was quick to fire his now former offensive coordinator Brent Pease in hopes that newly hired Kurt Roper will move his offense in the right direction. From the beginning this season included key injuries for the Gators and they will be hoping that ultimately was the reason for the dismal season.

Last but certainly not least is a very disappointed and lack luster team. The Alabama Crimson Tide had a great season at 11-2 yet finished unlike what fans have come to expect at the Capstone under Nick Saban. He will be looking to recreate title magic next season as he moves forward without key players such as Aj McCarron, Cj Mosley, Hasean Clinton-Dix, and Cyrus Kouandjio.
This will no doubt be Nick Saban's greatest coaching challenge since taking the helm at Alabama.

Key Stats

Coaches on the Hot Seat:
Will Muschamp (Florida)
Les Miles (LSU)
Dan Mullen (Mississippi State)

Coaches looking for biggest improvements:
Mark Stoops (Kentucky)
Butch Jones (Tennessee)
Bret Bielema (Arkansas)

Coach Departures:
James Franklin (Vanderbilt)

Post Game:

Look for the Auburn Tigers to make a run for the title once again next year in the west while trying to hold off bitter rival Alabama and the always tough LSU Tigers and a rising team in the Old Miss Rebels. The east seems to be harder to predict with Florida and Georgia having tough seasons this past season so look for Missouri and South Carolina to once again fight for the east title but you can never fall asleep on either Florida or Georgia because the talent and depth those teams have.

Predicted 2014 winners:
East-South Carolina
West-Auburn

Watch out for these sleeper teams:
East-Tennessee
West-Ole Miss

Root for an SEC team? Have different ideas on the season and upcoming season? Have more to add about your team?

Roll Tide
XMrAngryEyesxX