Train Wreck 2011, The Worst Case Scenarios for SEC Teams this Year

The SEC is a league with high expectations, having become accustomed to being the top dogs of the college football world.  This has caused SEC fan-bases to expect a lot more from their teams than the fan-bases of other conferences.  The combination of these high expectations and playing in the toughest leauge in college football can make for a wild ride.  We think 2011 could be the wildest ride yet for some of the SEC.  We have put together some "Worst Case Senarios" for each SEC team.  We are just doing our part to "keep expectations reasonable" as coach Saban would say.



Alabama - The Tide come back with a strong defense that is very deep, but there are still questions on the offensive side of the ball.  Our personal worst case scenario would be a quarterback battle that ends with either Phillip Sims or A.J. McCarron transferring from Alabama.  Both of these players want to be the starter for the Crimson Tide, they both could start at most any Division I school.  If one transfers it would leave Alabama with only one real viable quarterback. The Tide would have to pray to the football gods that nothing would happen to the remaining QB.   The drop off in experience and talent at the QB position is significant after these two.  Alabama can lose a lineman or even a running back and fill that spot with an almost as talented backup.  They can't do that at QB.  If Bama loses one to transfer and one to injury the Tide would be in a very tight spot; anyone remember the Spencer Pennington era?  On the other hand, if Alabama were to go in with a dual QB concept it could also cause problems.  Worst case scenario for the Tide would be losing more than two games, or losing to what looks to be a very weak Auburn this year.  Expectations are high for the 2011 Tide, but looking at the roster they should be.


Arkansas - They are living high on the hog in Fayetteville right now.  Arkansas' stable of top notch wide receivers have gotten praise from all of the college football talking heads.  It won't just be Lou Holtz to rank them in the pre-season top 20 this year.  Through all the bluster the hogs have some questions yet to be answered though.  How will new Quarterback Tyler Wilson fare?  It doesn't matter how good the receivers are if the new QB doesn't get them the ball.  Arkansas is very thin at running back as well, having only signed one running back in the past two years of recruiting.  A one dimensional offense will not win an SEC championship, just ask the 2010 Razorbacks.  Arkansas fans believe this is their year to win a national championship.  We think they will pushing it to make 3rd in the SEC West.  There could be some epic meltdowns in Fayetteville this year.


Auburn - Auburn is losing close to 30 members of its 2010 championship squad.  They have walk-ons playing on the offensive and defensive line and the quarterback situation is a complete unknown.  We think Auburn will fare better than many are predicting, based on the fact that they have a psychological advantage being the returning champs.  We still feel like this will be an epic fall though, just  maybe not quite as big a fall as 2010's Texas Longhorns.  If Auburn wins enough games to become bowl eligible they should count it as a victory this year. Plus there is still a lot of off-season left, which so far has not been kind to the Tigers.  More NCAA investigations or another felony could happen at any time.


Florida - Florida's defense will be very very good this year.  They have a lot of leadership and a brand new defense minded coach in Will Muschamp.  The Florida offense however, still looks horrible.  They will be moving to a more pro-style offense under Muschamp, it's safe to say you have seen your last jump pass for a while.  It will take a few years for Muschamp to rebuild the team in his pro-style image, in the meantime Florida State is out there killing it on the recruiting trail.  It could be a hard couple of years for the Gators.  The Gators may have to learn to be satisfied being the team that the SEC East chooses to get blown out by LSU or Bama every December.  Because the SEC East is down, the Gators should be a shoe in for SEC East Champs, provided they beat Steve Spurrier.  


Georgia - For the first time in years Georgia's fan expectations will match their on field performance, they will both be low.  Mark Richt's time is quickly running out in Athens, but a few die hards still cling to the idea that he is the coach that will bring them a national championship.  Georgia will win enough games to manage third in the SEC East and a bowl birth.  A real worst case scenario would be Georgia winning enough games to bring back Mark Richt and his thuggish team for another year.  But Georgia has an inescapable ability to blow it in big games. Every time they are ranked in the top 10 they find a way to lose a game they shouldn't lose.  This year they will play Boise State in the season opener in Atlanta.  Watch as Richt and the Bulldogs go out there and embarrass the SEC on a national stage.  If Boise State is playing in the national championship this year, blame Richt.  


Kentucky - There isn't a lot of downside for Kentucky this year.  The fans are relatively reasonable in expecting a strong season and a bowl appearance.  Coach Joker Phillips has shown he can get Kentucky to a bowl game.  Now can he make it a regular occurrence for the Wildcats? 


LSU - They hype surrounding this team is reaching a fever pitch.  Coach Les Miles' squad is in a BCS or bust season.  If Les Miles doesn't manage to make it to a BCS game with the level of talent on this team, folks are going to start talking.  No fan-base in the nation is as hard on coaches as the Bayou Bengals.    Les Miles last truly great season was won with players recruited by now Alabama Coach Nick Saban.  If Miles doesn't shine with this years squad there will be a lot of upset folks in Baton Rouge.  LSU has had some quarterback issues in the past, we are told those issues are now fixed.  They will be put to the test when they visit a top ranked Alabama defense in Tuscaloosa.  Anything less than the BCS is a failure for this team.  


Mississippi State - What a year 2010 was for the Bulldogs.  They had a great season and then topped it off by absolutely slaughtering Michigan in the Gator Bowl.  Mississippi State has a ton of starters coming back, including the much improved Chris Relf at QB.  Relf and the veteran Bulldogs will be facing a tough SEC west, but the great thing about MSU is that they don't expect to win every game.  They will be thrilled to see a big bowl appearance.  A true worst case for Mississippi State would be winning all season and losing to Ole Miss at the end.  That would stain whatever success the bulldogs had achieved.   Of course, looking at Ole Miss, the chances of this happening are pretty low. 


Ole Miss - Ole Miss has always had incredibly unrealistic expectations.  The Ole Miss fan-base are the poster children of crazy expectations.  One of Ole Miss' forums actually has this line in their title  "Helping Bring a National Championship to Mississippi."  In a way Ole Miss may get their title this year.  Everything about this team is a mess, terrible recruits and talent, an inept coaching staff, a crazy Athletic Director.  It's a recipe for train wreck rarely seen in the SEC.  Ole Miss will be competing with Vandy to be the worst team in the SEC this year.  If Ole Miss manages to win three games this year we will be impressed. 


South Carolina - Steven Garcia is off the team for more alcoholic related nonsense.  This will break his ability to play for South Carolina for his record 9th year.  Seriously, how old is this guy?  Spurrier has a great group of young kids coming up through the ranks.  Unfortunately, his seniors and juniors leave a lot to be desired in terms of leadership and talent.  South Carolina has a very tough schedule and has to play at Mississippi State and at Arkansas.  South Carolina also faces a very good Navy early on in the year.  Worst case scenario would be a loss to Navy, if that happens you can expect the wheels to come off for the Ole Ball Coach.


Tennessee - What can you say about the Vols?  They are looking at a future of sanctions from the NCAA thanks to an inept Athletic Director.  Derek Dooley seems like a good guy, he is trying to get things back on track in Knoxville.  But will the fans give him the time he needs to do the job?  He may not be the most inventive and creative play caller or recruiter, but he is a solid coach.  The Vols desperately need something consistent in Knoxville.  Worst case would be another five win season, but best case is probably only around six wins.  The Vols will do ok, but don't expect miracles. 


Vanderbilt - Best case is that they beat Ole Miss and aren't the worst team in the SEC.  Worst case is that they lose to Ole Miss and are the worst team in the SEC.  Either way life goes on for Vandy pretty much the same. 

Bandit's Early SEC Predictions

SEC WEST

1. Alabama or LSU

2. LSU or Alabama

3. Mississippi State

4. Arkansas

5. Auburn

6. Ole Miss

SEC EAST

1. Florida

2. South Carolina

3. Tennessee

4. Georgia

5. Kentucky

6. Vanderbilt

SEC CHAMPS

LSU or Alabama depending on which one wins the SEC West

I base by self worth on number of twitter followers.  Help. Me. Please. 

Tweet