SEC West Preview.
Alabama has been; by far, the dominant force not only in this division; but the entirety of college football. Last year's National Title was their fifth in nine years. Their in state rival; Auburn, is the most potent threat to the Tide, handing them their only loss last season and keeping them out of the SEC Championship Game. LSU could pose problems and Mississippi State has a solid team returning under a new head coach. Texas A&M and Arkansas are starting over with new head coaches. Ole Miss is recovering from their scandal plagued past.
Here is a look at all seven SEC West teams with an order of finish and a prediction of the SEC title game at the end of the article.
Alabama
2017: (7-1)(13-1)
Head Coach: Nick Saban, (12th year) 127-20
Alabama does what Alabama does. They didn't win the SEC last year. They didn't even win their division, but they still received a playoff berth and proceeded to collect another National Championship. It's not to say they didn't deserve it. They took the opportunity and made the best of it. I wouldn't bet against them finding a way to do it once again.
A quarterback battle is on with incumbent, Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa. Hurts led the Tide to the title by only throwing one pick. Tagovailoa is a talented passer who threw the touchdown pass that won the title game over Georgia. The offensive line will be strong again with NFL ready tackles, Jonah Williams and Matt Womack. Ross Pierschbacher is a top guard.
Alabama always has a stable of physical running backs and this year's edition should be no different with Damien Harris, Najee Harris, Brian Robinson and Josh Jacobs. Wide receivers, Jerry Jeury and Henry Ruggs each averaged 19 yards per catch. Devonta Smith will be another dangerous target. Mike Locksley takes over as offensive coordinator this year.
Tosh Lupoi is the new defensive coordinator and he takes over the top defense in the country last year. They are loaded at linebacker with Anfernee Jennings on the outside with Mack Wilson and Dylan Moses inside. The front three are Quinnen Williams at tackle with Isaiah Buggs and Raekwon Davis on the ends.
Stars, Ronnie Harrison and Minkah Fitzpatrick are gone from the secondary. Cornerbacks will be Patrick Surtain, Saivion Smith and Trevon Diggs. Deionte Thompson will take a safety position.
Alabama jumps on opponents; outscoring them 145-23 in the first quarter. They also make their opponents make mistakes. For Alabama's three interceptions, the opponents had 19. Unlikely that will change much.
Alabama kicks off the season in Orlando against Louisville. They visit Ole Miss, Arkansas, Tennessee and LSU. Auburn is at home. Auburn and; maybe LSU, have the better chances to keep Alabama from running the table.
Arkansas
2017: (1-7)(4-8)
Head Coach: Chad Morris, (first year)
Bret Bieliema proved not to be the answer in Fayetteville, so the Razorbacks decided to go in a totally different direction. Chad Morris is the new head coach and he will convert the pro style offense to a high tempo spread. This project will take some time and patience.
New offensive coordinator, Joe Craddock was with Morris for three years at SMU. A quarterback will have to be found between Cole Kelley; who is 6'-7" and has the arm and feet. Ty Storey and Conor Norland will likely be the backups. Jonathan Nance led the team with 37 catches. Jared Cornelius is coming off of an Achilles surgery. Running back, Devwah Whaley provides pop and quickness. Chase Hayden is another speedy back.
Bieliema could never gel an offensive line together during his tenure. They have been terrible at protecting the quarterback. Dylan Hays and Ty Clary will compete at center. Colton Jackson will be at tackle and Hjalte Froholdt at guard.
John Chavis is now at his fourth SEC school directing a defense and he has plenty of work to do. Arkansas was last in the SEC in total defense and couldn't generate pressure. Dejon Harris and Dre Greenlaw are the ends with McTelvin Agim at tackle.
The secondary will be shuffled with Santos Ramirez moving from strong safety to free safety. Kamaren Curl is now at strong safety. Ryan Dulley leads the cornerbacks.
Arkansas should win its first three games before a trip to Auburn. A string of six home games follow that includes Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and LSU. They finish the season on the road with Mississippi State and Missouri. This schedule is an optimal one to get a program off of the ground. Arkansas could surprise.
Auburn
2017: (7-1)(10-4)
Head Coach: Gus Malzahn, (6th year) 45-22
Auburn was the western representative in last year's SEC Championship Game, losing to Georgia. Last season had a tough ending as they went on to lose the Peach Bowl to Central Florida. Critical pieces have left, but it appears that there is enough remaining to make another run at Alabama.
Quarterback, Jarrett Stidham is back and could have been picked high in the NFL draft had he came out. He is a traditional quarterback who was sixth in the country in completion percentage. The line in front of him will have to be retooled. Only guard, Mike Horton returns. Prince Tega-Wanogho should take a tackle spot. They must be able to protect Stidham better.
Auburn had 34 rushing touchdowns last year. They lose Kerryon Johnson but Kam Martin is back with his six yards per carry. Jartarvious Whitlow and Asa Martin will have carries. Darius Slayton averaged 22 yards per reception. Ryan Davis will be another major target.
The defensive front will be dominant with big tackle, Derrick Brown, Dontavious Russell and Marlon Davidson. Middle linebacker, Deshaun Davis led the team in tackles with 82. Darrell Williams will be on the outside.
Three starters are gone from a secondary that only produced six picks. Last year, Jamel Dean and Javaris Davis are the cornerbacks. Daniel Thomas and Jeremiah Pinson are the safeties.
Kicker, Daniel Carlson is the school's all time leading scorer. He has graduated and being replaced by his brother, Anders.
Auburn begins with Washington at Atlanta, then four straight home games which includes LSU. They go to both of the Mississippi schools, Georgia and Alabama. Their November is tough, but 10 wins and pushing Alabama again should happen.
Louisiana State
2017: (6-2)(9-4)
Head Coach: Ed Orgeron, (2nd year)
Missed opportunities have haunted these Tigers. Scoring 77% of the time they entered the red zone and missing field goals costed them in close losses. The loss to Troy seemed to rattle their confidence and coach, Ed Orgeron has been a lightning rod for criticism. LSU should be a darkhorse in the West, but will the drama around the program prevent that?
Quarterback, Danny Etling is gone and Ohio State transfer, Joe Burrow is the leading man to take over the controls. He is a dual threat quarterback with an accurate arm. Myles Brennan, Justin McMillan and Lowell Narcisse will back Burrow up. D.J. Chark and Russell Gage are gone at receiver. Texas Tech transfer, Jonathan Giles had a monster freshman season in 2016. Justin Jefferson and five star recruit, Terrance Marshall will contribute. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is a waterbug running back and Nick Brossette brings power.
The offensive line has to work on pass protecting. Left tackle, Saahdiq Charles is a steady blocker with guard, Garrett Brumfield.
Defensive coordinator, Dave Aranda loses several starters from a defense that only allowed 19 points a game. The front was hit with three departures, but promising talent will take over in defensive end, Rashard Lawrence and nose tackle, Ed Alexander. Two starting linebackers are gone, but Devin White led the team in tackles; (133), and Klavon Chiasson should become a star. Cornerback, Greedy Williams was greedy picking off the ball on six occasions. Safety, John Battle is a sound tackler.
LSU starts off with Miami at AT&T Stadium. Their other away games are to Auburn, Florida, Arkansas and Texas A&M. Georgia, Mississippi State and Alabama are at home. LSU should be around nine wins again this year.
Mississippi State
2017: (4-4)(9-4)
Head Coach: Joe Moorhead, (first year)
The coaching carousel talk this off season centered around Jimbo Fisher, Kevin Sumlin and Willie Taggart. Not a whole lot of attention was given to coach Joe Moorhead replacing Dan Mullen. This hire could end up being the better hire. Moorhead had a successful head coaching stint at Fordham, then developed the Penn State offense where a Big Ten title was won. He has a solid roster to work with at Starkville.
Expect the offense to turn up the tempo. Quarterback, Nick Fitzgerald is a top shelf SEC quarterback, but suffered a broken leg last year. Backup, Keytaon Thompson led the Bulldogs to their bowl game win over Louisville. The offensive line was one of the better lines in the country and should remain that way with four starters returning. Greg Eiland is a Manhattan at left tackle. Stewart Reese is on the right side and Darryl Williams is one of the guards.
Running back, Aeris Williams returns after his 1107 yard rushing season. Kylin Hill is a beefy back. Better production is required from the passing game as Jesse Jackson led the team with 22 catches. Keith Mixon is back from an ankle injury. JUCO transfer, Stephen Guidry could take over the top receiver spot.
Eight starters return on a defense that was 10th in the country in yards allowed. The front is solid with NFL ready tackle, Jeffery Simmons. Montez Sweat leads the SEC's best pass rush. The linebackers are versatile with Leo Lewis and Gerri Green. Young depth is there with Willie Gay and Erroll Thompson.
Mark McLaurin had six interceptions. Cornerbacks will have to emerge. Jonathan Abram and Brian Cole should factor in.
Mississippi State visits Kansas State, Kentucky, LSU, Alabama and Ole Miss. Home games are with Florida, Auburn, Texas A&M and Arkansas. These Bulldogs may have enough to cause havoc in the SEC.
Ole Miss
2017: (3-5)(6-6)
Head Coach: Matt Luke, (2nd year)
This time last year was a royal mess in Oxford. Scandal rocked the Rebels causing the loss of their head coach, who had beaten Alabama twice. They turned to one of their own in Matt Luke and the team responded. They won the Egg Bowl to even their record when everyone was forecasting an ugly record. Unless the NCAA gives Ole Miss a reprieve, they will not go bowling again this year. The players will once again be playing for pride; ( or that new shark mascot).
Quarterback, Shea Patterson transferred to Michigan which leaves Jordan Ta'amu; who is a running threat and Matt Corral. Ole Miss did have the second best SEC offense. They have a good group of receivers in A.J. Brown, who was All SEC with 75 receptions. Demarkus Lodge and D.K. Metcalf are both deep threats. Juniors, D'Vaughn Pennamon and Jeric Swinney will be the top two ball carriers.
Four return on the offensive line that includes tackle, Greg Little, who will be a first round draft pick.
Ole Miss was last in the SEC in run defense and has to find the right rotation of linebackers. Detric Bing-Dukes, Willie Hibbler and Vernon Dasher are the leading canidates. They will have to find a defensive end, but there are two quality tackles in Benito Jones and Josiah Coatney.
A solid defensive backfield is to be expected with cornerbacks, Ken Webster and Myles Hartsfield. There are hitters at safety with C.J. Moore, Jaylon Jones and Zedrick Woods. They aim to improve on their eight interceptions last year.
Ole Miss begins the season at Texas Tech and have other trips to LSU, Arkansas, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt. They host Alabama, Auburn, South Carolina and the Egg Bowl. Ole Miss could surprise a team or two.
Texas A&M
2017: (4-4)(7-6)
Head Coach: Jimbo Fisher, (first year);
(83-23 at Florida State
The Aggies move on from Kevin Sumlin and take Jimbo Fisher away from Florida State with a $75 million over 10 years contact. Texas A&M desperately wants to be in the club with Alabama, Auburn and Georgia. I'm willing to bet the house that Fisher will not stay the entire 10 years at College Station. He never had to rebuild and change a culture at Florida State after Bobby Bowden. He has won 83 of the 106 games he coached there and a National Championship. You can't totally rule out that Fisher will eventually make the Aggies a force in the SEC.
Seven starters return on offense including quarterback, Kellen Mond. He is the better runner and Nick Starkel the better passer. They have a physical target in Jhamon Ausbon and a deep threat in Cam Buckley. Running back, Trayveon Williams has speed and he can catch. Kendall Bussey is an experienced running back. JUCO transfer tight end, Jace Sternberger will be a good addition to the offense.
All five starters return on the offensive line including center, Erik McCoy and right guard, Keaton Sutherland. Better pass protection is a must.
Texas A&M's 43 sacks were the second highest in the nation and they should put that kind of number up again. End, Landis Durham is the leading pass rusher with 10.5 sacks. Tackles are Daylon Mack and Kingsley Keke. They have talented and physical linebackers in Otaro Alaka, Tyrel Dodson and Anthony Hines.
The secondary has great size, but was lit up too often. Cornerbacks are Charles Oliver and Clifford Chairman. Safeties are Derrick Turner and Donovan Wilson.
Clemson comes to Aggieland the second weekend. The road is a rugged one with trips to Alabama, Arkansas, South Carolina, Mississippi State and Auburn. The last three are lined up in consecutive games. Then the last three games are at home including Ole Miss and LSU. The schedule will probably have them around six or seven wins.
