Can Alabama repeat as the champion of the SEC, and of all college football?
Alabama Crimson Tide
Head Coach: Nick Saban (4th Year)
2009 Record: 14-0 (8-0) (NCAA FBS Champions)
Offense
The offense should be extremely good this season as it returned many of its starters from last season. Greg McElroy should have a good senior season this fall. Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram is back at tailback for his junior season. McElroy’s favorite targets, Julio Jones and Marquis Maze, are also back this season.
Defense
The defense may not be as dominant this season as it was last year since it lost Rolando McClain and Terrence Cody. Dont’a Hightower should fill the void left by him and become the leader of this defense. The pass defense will be the biggest question for the defense this season.
2010 Season Prediction: 11-1
Arkansas Razorbacks
Head Coach: Bobby Petrino (3rd Year)
2009 Record: 8-5 (3-5)
Offense
The offense will have no problem this season continuing the success they had last season as Ryan Mallett is back for his junior season, along with all of his offensive weapons. Arkansas’ passing attack will be a tough one to stop this season.
Defense
The defense will need to find some playmakers early on in the season if it doesn’t want to give up big numbers to opposing offenses. Jake Bequette is a player to watch this season as he is coming off of a 5.5 sack sophomore season. The secondary should have little trouble this season if its top two leaders in interceptions last season step up their game to intercept more than just three balls each.
2010 Season Prediction: 9-3
Auburn Tigers
Head Coach: Gene Chizik (2nd Year)
2009 Record: 8-5 (3-5)
Offense
Auburn found some offensive success last season and will need to build off of it this year to keep improving. Cam Newton looks to be the new starting quarterback for these Tigers. Newton will have a reliable target to throw to this fall in Darvin Adams. Onterio McCalebb will be in the backfield along with Mario Fannin, so this will be a dangerous running game.
Defense
The defense will need to improve each week this season if it wants to be a better unit than last season. Defensive backs Zac Etheridge and Aairon Savage will be the leaders on defense come this fall. If the defensive line can find a playmaker, then this will be an above average defense this fall.
2010 Season Prediction: 10-2
Florida Gators
Head Coach: Urban Meyer (6th Year)
2009 Record: 13-1 (8-0)
Offense
The offense will have to grow and mature each week with John Brantley as the centerpiece. Brantley is inheriting an offense that lost its top receivers from last season; however, he will be helped out with the return of Jeff Demps in the backfield. The running game may carry this team for a few weeks until Brantley and his receivers find their groove.
Defense
The defense will look to Ahmad Black and Will Hill for leadership this season. Brandon Hicks should help take Carlos Dunlap’s place this season as he will want to continue his success from last season when he had four sacks as a junior. This defense will need to improve each week if it hopes to be the force it was last season.
2010 Season Prediction: 9-3
Georgia Bulldogs
Head Coach: Mark Richt (10th Year)
2009 Record: 8-5 (4-4)
Offense
The offense will have a new starting quarterback this season in redshirt freshman Aaron Murray. Murray will have top wide receiver A.J. Green to throw passes to, so his first season as the starting quarterback will be a little easier. Murray will also have the help of Washaun Ealey returning in the backfield.
Defense
The defense only returned four starters this season so it will have some growing to do this year. Justin Houston is back at defensive end and should have a standout junior season after recording 7.5 sacks as a sophomore. The defensive backs should look to Brandon Boykin for leadership this season as he had the most interceptions of the four returning starters.
2010 Season Prediction: 7-5
LSU Tigers
Head Coach: Les Miles (6th Year)
2009 Record: 9-4 (5-3)
Offense
Jordan Jefferson is back as the starter this season and should blossom this season as a junior. Russell Shepard should have a breakout year this season as an all-around threat. Opposing defenses will have to know where he is lined up on every snap.
Defense
Kelvin Sheppard is a senior this season and should have a great year as he is going to want top last season when he recorded 110 tackles. Drake Nevis should be a playmaker this season on the defensive line in his senior season. The defense will have to stay focused each week to so that they do not get outplayed.
2010 Season Prediction: 10-2
South Carolina Gamecocks
Head Coach: Steve Spurrier (6th Year)
2009 Record: 7-6 (3-5)
Offense
The offense brought back many of its weapons from last year for this season. This should be an excellent year for the offense as Stephen Garcia is in his junior season. Expectations are high after having an impressive sophomore season. He also has his top receiver from last season back for his sophomore year. This could be the year when South Carolina is a player in the SEC East.
Defense
The defense will need to improve this year if they want to finish better than 7-5. The defense for the Gamecocks this season will be led by Cliff Matthews on the defensive line, who is back as a senior after recording seven sacks as a junior last season. The secondary will need to find a standout player, however that may be a tough challenge as no returning player had more than one interception last season.
2010 Season Prediction: 9-3
Tennessee Volunteers
Head Coach: Derek Dooley (1st Year)
2009 Record: 7-6 (4-4)
Offense
Nick Stephens will be the new starting quarterback this season since Jonathan Crompton is no longer an athlete at Tennessee. Stephens will have two reliable targets to look for this season with the return of Gerald Jones and Denarius Moore. The backfield will have to find a playmaker at running back for this season as Bryce Brown is no longer at the school.
Defense
The defense will need to find a few playmakers this season to replace the void left by star Eric Berry. Chris Walker should be a force on the defense this season as he will be coming off a good junior season when he had four sacks and two interceptions. This defense should be able to help take a little pressure off the offense this season.
2010 Season Prediction: 8-4
