SEC football predictions 2012

2012 SEC Recruiting Class Rankings

#1 Alabama
#2 Florida
#3 Georgia
#4 Auburn
#5 LSU
#6 Texas A&M
#7 Tennessee
#8 South Carolina
#9 Vanderbilt
#10 Missouri
#11 Arkansas
#12 Mississippi State
#13 Ole Miss
#14 Kentucky

Top Freshman to Watch SEC 2012

Dorial Green-Beckham WR Missouri
Jonathan Bullard DE Florida
T.J. Yeldon RB Alabama
Keith Marshall RB Georgia
Channing Ward DE Ole Miss

SEC Coaching Rankings

SEC Football Awards 2012

Offensive Player of the Year
Marcus Lattimore RB South Carolina
Defensive Player of the Year
Jarvis Jones LB Georgia
Coach of the Year
Mark Richt Georgia
Offensive Freshman of the Year
Dorial Green-Beckham WR Missouri
Defensive Freshman of the Year
Channing Ward DE Ole Miss

2012 SEC East Predictions

#1 Georgia

Coach: Mark Richt
Returning Starters: 15; 6 offense, 9 defense
Stadium: Sanford Stadium #3 largest stadium in the SEC

Offense: Aaron Murray is back and looking for an even bigger season then he had last year. Murray's go to WR's are Malcolm Mitchell and Tavarres King. Isiah Crowell the SEC Freshman of the Year was kicked off the team in the off-season. Malcome Brown will be the starter at the beginning of the year. Look for highly touted freshman RB Keith Marshall to get plenty of touches. The line will be without both tackles and center, but the line is deep enough to cover it.

Defense: LB Jarvis Jones and NT John Jenkins lead a defense that was ranked number five in total defense a year ago. Georgia returns plenty of depth and talent across the board. Jarvis Jones had an SEC best 13.5 sacks in 2011. Look for LB Alex Ogletree to emerge as a star this season. Three returning starters return in the secondary including Bacarri Rambo.

Special Teams: The Dawgs will start freshman kicker Marshall Morgan and freshman punter Collin Barber.

Overview: The offense is going to be great with Murray and solid WR around him. The defense will be elite and will have an All-American or two. The Dawgs won't face Alabama or LSU in the regular season. Sept. 29th vs South Carolina could decide the east.

#2 South Carolina

Coach: Steve Spurrier
Returning Starters: 13; 7 offense, 6 defense
Stadium: Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250) #8 largest stadium in the SEC

Offense: Last year QB Connor Shaw got the chance to start and never looked back. This year he will have RB Marcus Lattimore back from an injury that sidelined him for most of the 2011 season. Lattimore is the best back in the SEC and will be a Heisman candidate. Who will replace WR Alshon Jeffery? It could be returning starter Ace Sanders or freshman WR Shaq Roland. The line will replace two starters and look to make an improvement in pass protection.

Defense: Up front USC could have the best DE combo in the nation with Devin Taylor and Jadeveon Clowney. The linebacking unit will feature several seniors including returning starter Shaq Wilson. The secondary will have to find a replacement for departed corner Stephon Gilmore who know plays on Sundays.

Special Teams: Both punter and kicker will be decided in the fall.

Overview: Last year's team won 11 games with Lattimore injured and Garcia kicked off the team. Shaw and Lattimore will form a great offense. The defense will be great up front, but the secondary will determine how well the defense plays.

#3 Florida

Coach: Will Muschamp
Returning Starters: 18; 6 offense, 10 defense, kicker, punter
Stadium: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548) #5 largest stadium in the SEC

Offense: The Gators will go into the season with two QB's Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel. Florida will need to establish a play-maker at the skill positions. RB and WR are unproven. The line is the strength of the team with four starters back. The line has combined for 69 starts.

Defense: The defensive side of the ball will be strong and deep as it brings back ten starters from last years team. Look for LB Jelani Jenkins to emerge as an all SEC talent this season. The talented secondary is led by safety Matt Elam. The line will be strong with three starters back and Ronald Powell should return midseason following an injury in the spring.

Special Teams: Lou Groza finalist Caleb Sturgis returns at kicker and punter Kyle Christy is back.

Overview: The Gators will need to establish an offensive game plan by the time the face the Vols in week three. The defense will be tops in the SEC and the nation.

#4 Tennessee

Coach: Derek Dooley
Returning Starters: 20; 10 Offense, 8 defense, kicker, punter
Stadium: Neyland Stadium (102,455) #1 largest stadium in the SEC

Offense: The passing game will be tops in the country with Tyler Bray under center. The WR unit should be elite even with out Da'Rick Rogers. Justin Hunter returns after an injury sidelined him for nine games a year ago. Look for Cordarrelle Patterson to have a major impact with the loss of Rogers he was the number one ranked JUCO player a year ago. The line has to come together this year and provide a better push for the run game to emerge. Rajion Neal and Marlin Lane will be in charge of improving the Vols running game that only averaged 90 yards a game in 2011.

Defense: Sal Sunseri will bring a 3-4 alignment into Knoxville. The LB core returns three starters and could be special with the return of Herman Lathers. The line has question, but look for Daniel McCullers to emerge this season. The secondary wasn't bad a year ago they just didn't force enough turnovers in 2011.

Special Teams: Kicker Micheal Palardy returns after a bad Sophomore. Matt Darr is back at punter.

Overview: The overall depth of the team is much better. The passing attack will be elite. The defense will be a bit improved. Big game vs. NCSU to start the season, week three vs the Gators is make or break for the Vols.

#5 Missouri

Coach: Gary Pinkel
Returning Starters: 12; 5 offense, 5 defense, kicker, punter
Stadium: Memorial Stadium (68,349) #10 largest stadium in the SEC

Offense: The Tigers will have a great passing attack this season with WR T.J. Moe and Freshman Dorial Green-Beckham the number one receiver recruit in the nation. QB James Franklin can beat you with his legs or arm. The line returns three starters.

Defense: The LB's will return starters Zaviar Gooden and Andrew Wilson. Will Ebner was granted another year and will join them at LB. There's a bit of concern at defensive tackle with depth and inexperience. The DE's should be solid for the tigers. Two players return in the secondary.

Special Teams: Trey Barrow holds both the punting and kicking job.

Overview: The Tigers will start their SEC season with Georgia coming into Columbia. Offensively the Tigers will be fine, but how will the defense respond to physical SEC play.

#6 Vanderbilt

Coach: James Franklin
Returning Starters: 18; 9 offense, 7 defense, punter, kicker
Stadium: Vanderbilt Stadium (39,773) #14 largest stadium in the SEC

Offense: QB Jordan Rodgers emerged as the starter last season and showed some promise. RB Zac Stacy is one the more underrated RB's in the nation. The Dores' have a pretty good WR combo with Matthews and Boyd. The o-line returns four starters.

Defense: The defense was solid last season and will be pretty good again this year. Rob Lohr leads the d-line that returns three starters. LB Arcjibald Barnes will be play a big role in replacing the SEC's leading tackler Chris Marve. Corner Trey Wilson is the star of the secondary.

Special Teams: Kicker Ryan Fowler will need to be more consistent this season. Richard Kent is back to handle punting duties.

Overview: Vandy could be as high as three or as low as six. The schedule sets up in Vandy's favor to have a good year. The question is will Vanderbilt stop being Vanderbilt and win a big game.

#7 Kentucky

Coach: Joker Phillips
Returning Starters: 12; 6 offense, 5 defense, kicker
Stadium: Commonwealth Stadium (67,942) #11 largest stadium in the SEC

Offense: WR La'Rod King is the star of the offense. Maxwell Smith seems to be the starter at QB. The line only returns two starters.

Defense: The best of the bunch are DE Martavius Nelson and S Mikie Benton.

Special Teams: Craig McIntosh returns at kicker. Freshman Joe Mansour will get the nod at punter.

Overview: It's going to be another rough year in Lexington. Whens basketball season?

2012 SEC West Predictions

#1 LSU

Coach: Les Miles
Returning Starters: 13; 6 offense, 5 defense, punter, kicker
Stadium: Tiger Stadium (92,400) #4 stadium capacity in the SEC

Offense: Zach Mettenberger takes over at QB for the Tigers. Odell Beckham is the top returning pass catcher for LSU. The three headed running attack is punishing and led by Spencer Ware, Micheal Ford, and Kenny Hilliard. The line returns four starters and will be one of the best in the SEC.

Defense: All-American CB Tyrann Mathieu will miss the season after being kicked off the team. The secondary will now have to find corners to replace both Mathieu and Claiborne. The defensive line will apply a lot of pressure. Led by DE's Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo. The weakest part of the defense is at LB.

Special Teams: Brad Wing is the best punter in that nation. Kicker Drew Alleman had a great freshman season.

Overview: The secondary took a hit with Mathieu departure. The rushing attack will be elite. The defensive line will be tough to stop. Final game of the regular season for LSU is at Arkansas.

#2 Alabama

Coach: Nick Saban
Returning Starters: 12; 6 offense, 4 defense, kicker, punter
Stadium: Bryant-Denny Stadium (101,821) #2 stadium capacity in the SEC

Offense: A.J. McCarron will be called upon to do more then manage the game this season. Eddie Lacey will be the new feature back for the Tide. Look for RB T.J. Yeldon to make an impact this season. The offensive line is one of the best in the country with 96 career starts across the line. The WR core is inexperienced, but all the players had to wait their turn to play.

Defense: The defense needs to reload after losing seven starters from the best defense in the nation in 2011. The defense returns two players on the line led by NG Jesse Williams. Keep an eye on sophomore LB's Xzavier Dickson and Adrian Hubbard to have big years. The secondary will have a rotation of around six players.

Special Teams: Shelley and Foster will need to improve at kicker after a horrible 2011 season. Cody Mandell returns at punter.

Overview: A lot of new faces for Alabama. The defense will take a step back. The offense has potential to be great. Bama must travel to LSU and Arkansas this season.

#3 Arkansas

Coach: John L. Smith
Returning Starters: 17; 8 offense, 7 defense, kicker, punter
Stadium: Reynolds Razorbacks Stadium (72,000) #9 stadium capacity in the SEC

Offense: The offense has the potential to be great. Tyler Wilson is the top returning QB in the SEC. He will need to find new play-makers at WR now that Joe Adams and Jarius Wright. The go to guy will be Cobi Hamilton and look for freshman Marquel Wade to emerge. All-SEC RB in 2010 Knile Davis is back from an injury and will give the Razorbacks another element to their offense. The Razorbacks only return two linemen, but they're are both talented.

Defense: The defense will need to work on stopping the run. It starts up front with returning starters Jones and Thomas. At LB the Razorbacks return two starters. Tevin Mitchel and Darius Winston should form a pretty good duo at corner.

Special Teams: Zach Hocker returns at kicker. Punter Dyan Breeding returns.

Overview: The Razorbacks open SEC play with Alabama and finish with LSU, both games at home. The offense will be elite, the defense will need to build off last seasons progress.

#4 Mississippi State

Coach: Dan Mullen
Returning Starters: 12; 4 offense, 7 defense, punter
Stadium: Davis Wade Stadium (55,082) #13 stadium capacity in the SEC

Offense: Tyler Russell will finally get the call to be Miss. St. QB. He will have plenty of options to throw to with three returning starters at WR and TE Malcolm Johnson and Brandon Hill. You could see several players at RB including LaDarius Perkins, Josh Robinson, and Nick Griffin. Offensive line only has one returning starter. The line will determine how far this team will go on offense.

Defense: The defense returns seven starters from a good 2011 defense. The line should be solid and is very deep. Banks and Broomfield form a good duo at corner. Johnathan Banks is one of the best S in the league. Two LB's return for the Bulldogs.

Special Teams: Devon Bell will be the kicker. Baker Swedenburg is back at punter.

Overview: The offense will take a pass first approach this season and may take awhile to get going. The defense will be relied on to keep them in games. A big game vs Auburn in week two.

#5 Auburn

Coach: Gene Chizik
Returning Starters: 18; 8 offense, 8 defense, kicker, punter
Stadium: Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451) #6 stadium capacity in the SEC

Offense: A pro-style attack will be implemented this season for the Tigers. Frazier will be the starting QB and he gives Auburn a dual-threat attack. The running game will feature RB Ontatio McCalebb, Corey Grant, and Tre Mason. Frazier will look to get the ball to TE Philp Lutzenkirchen and WR Emory Blake. The O-line will return three starters.

Defense: The defensive line should be great this year and is very deep. LB Daren Bates led the team in tackles a year ago. Look for LB Kris Frost to emerge as a star. The secondary has some experience returns three starters.

Special Teams: Cody Parkey had an OK season missing five FG's a year ago. Steven Clark had a solid season at punter in 2011.

Overview: The offense may take sometime to get rolling with the transition to the pro-style offense. The defense should be improved from last years squad. The Tigers have LSU, Arkansas, and Georgia at home.

#6 Texas A&M

Coach: Kevin Sumlin
Returning Starters: 14; 8 offense, 5 defense, punter
Stadium: Kyle Field (82,600) #7 stadium capacity in the SEC

Offense: The Aggies are without Ryan Tannehill and Cyrus Gray. The offensive line will is one of the best in the nation. All five return and four of the five are over 300 pounds. Jameill Showers will be at QB and will look to run Sumlin's high powered offense. Showers will get the ball in the hand of WR's Swope and Nwachukwu. RB Christine Micheal returns.

Defense: The overall depth on defense is thin and that could prove fatal in year one of the SEC. DE Damontre Moore is the best on the line. Steven Campbell is the leader of the secondary. The LB core returns three senior starters.

Special Teams: Taylor Bertolet will have a big task of replacing Lou Groza Winner Randy Bullock. Ryan Epperson returns at punter.

Overview: Depth is the biggest issue across the board. If this team can remain healthy they have potential to rise to the top half of the SEC West.

#7 Mississippi

Coach: Hugh Freeze
Returning Starters: 16; 7 offense, 7 defense, punter, kicker
Stadium: Vaught-Hemingway (60,580) #12 stadium capacity in the SEC

Offense: Issues at QB, RB Jeff Scott could have a good year, big issues on the o-line.

Defense: Seven defense starters return from a team that gave up 32 points a game. Channing Ward could be the next big thing at DE.

Special Teams: Tyler Campbell returns at punter and kicker Bryson Rose.

Overview: Another rough year for the Rebels.