Shawn's SEC East picks

First I have to say Mark piqued my interest with a return to our blog with, you guessed it, football! That's right, the greatest game going. Vince Lombardi said it best, "when the leaves begin to change, boys become men." Coach Lombardi is referring, of course, to football The passion of the game brings communities together. States split with the team that carries each city's banner. The game that young kids can do chants, friends can share memories of past games, and the passion of fan-dom can override even the roughest of weeks.

We at the blitz love our football, so we all will be bringing our views.

6. Vanderbilt: Like Mark I don't really see much else for these guys. New coach Robbie Caldwell, albeit a funny man in an interview, like Rodney Dangerfield still gets; "no respect." The dores with all kinds of problems on offense, just doesn't appear to have the goods for anything more than cellar dweller status. The fighting Ivy Leaguers won't be able to add up enough wins here, 2-10

5. Tennessee: Rocky Not is the song they will be singing here. Derrick Dooley will be a good one long term for Vol Nation, just not this year. I believe if the revolving door of coaches in Knoxville stops here they will be fine, but we are talking this year. No Qb to speak of, and a questionable running game with Hardesty gone. Tennesse struggles, and the Vols hit "Rocky Bottom" this year, 4-7

4. Kentucky: Tough call here, New coach Joker Phillips isn't joking at all. Actually, he has an interesting team in the east. Hartline has had his moments of struggles and successes since being in the SEC. However, experience goes a long way, and he has it. With Randall Cobb (SEC's most versitile player) moved to full-time WR he is a real threat. Cobb will get some wildcat snaps, and he teamed with Derrick Locke they have some juice, just not enough to pull ahead of South Carolina. Mark has almost convinced me South Carolina has too many issues, but the Joke's on Kentucky this year, 5-7.

3. South Carolina: The old ball coach has come along way since dominating the SEC with Wuerffel and the fun-and-gun. He has went from the Gator orange and blue, to a stint in Redskin country, to a land that football forgot in Columbia, South Carolina. Where national championships in football are as likley to happen as Charles Barkely actually playing a good round of golf. Coach Spurrier brings to the table Stephen Garcia who is a long way from the Wuerffel days. The Gamecock version might be called the "not so fun, and run;" because if you're a QB behind that o-line, it will be no fun because you will be running for your life.. They have skill guys, but the o-line has more holes than the Oklahoma highways. It's going to be rough. Their D is great, but you can't win many if you don't score. Defense gets them to a bowl though, 6-6.

2. Florida: "Oh where, oh where did my Tebow go, oh where oh where could he be." These are the lyrics to Urban Meyer's new country single, "Lost without a friend." All joking aside, John Brantley is probably a good QB, but as if the pressure of replacing Tebow isn't enough, he is leading an offense that will have to score early and often.. Replacing almost the entire defense from a year ago won't give Brantley the luxury that Tebow had at times a year ago when the Gators vaunted offense was erratic at best in certain games. Last year you could see the loss of Dan Mullen as the offensive coordinator was rough on the offense. This year they have to deal with the loss of Charlie Strong as he left his defensive coordinator job for head coaching at Louisville. So I see that being just one of the many that has turned the pressure cooker to high for Brantley. You know it's always tough to follow a legend, and for Brantley its going to be especially tough. Pour guy will always hear "well when we had Tebow." So in all I just cannot buy the Gators. Too many questions that have yet to be answered. There is still enough talent to win though, 9-3.

1. Georgia: Mark Richt brings in a loaded offensive attack lead by true freshman Aaron Murray. This team intrigues me. I look at them offensively and see how a lot of people could buy into them. I mean AJ Green is, in my opinion, the best WR in the nation, and a future all-pro guy. A running game that features a one-two punch as good as arguably anyone outside of 'Bama in the nation, Washawn Ealy and Caleb King give any defensive coordinator headaches. However, big question mark on D. Their D got thrashed last year and they return all but arguably the two best in safety Rashad Jones and linebacker Rennie Curran who are now in the NFL. Also, they are switching to a 3-4 alignment that is designed to put more emphasis on rushing the passer which, in turn, will help the secondary, which will really make Brandon Boykin a handful at cornerback. Will these moves shake the "RICHTER" scale to a 10 and win the whole SEC? Well I will tell you later. However, with the offensive weapons and an offensive line you could set up a tent behind, they for sure win the east, 10-2.

Check back for the west predictions and the SEC championship game, you know the east, now I will tell you who will win the Wild Wild West and why.

Mark's SEC East forecast

It's about that time! Football kicks off the real deal Thursday as fall practices and pre-season NFL gives way to a little college football action. I'm sure we will talk up the games and of course the Razorbacks, but we'll start with the SEC Eastern division. West will be forecast tomorrow, stay tuned (and I'm sure Brad and Shawn will disagree!)

6. Vanderbilt:

The new coach may have made some waves---as well as a few fans--- with his good ole boy routine at SEC media days, but he has lost his best running back to injury and returns a 2-10 team that won no conference games in 2009. Expect more of the same in '10.

5. Tennessee:

Derek Dooley's Vols will look a lot different that Lane Kiffin's squad, as highly touted running back Bryce Brown has bolted for Kansas State and several others have found themselves on the wrong side of the law. Eventually, I'm sure Dooley will field a quality team, but this year, they won't get to .500.

4. Kentucky:

Is there a theme developing? The bottom three teams all breaking in new coaches means growing pains and lots of L's. Joker Phillips will struggle through the SEC, although they have a favorable road schedule, with trips to Gainesville, Oxford, Starkville and Knoxville. Not to say they will win any of those, but they do get Auburn, Georgia, South Carolina and Vanderbilt at home.

3. South Carolina:

Too many people are picking the Gamecocks as SEC favorites for my liking. So let's look at this logically. Who is their QB? Stephen Garcia. Coach Spurrier doesn't even like him! How about their offensive line? Spurrier bad-mouthed them at SEC media days as well, worried they wouldn't be up to the job either. What about their stud player? Alshon Jeffery aside, Weslye Saunders may be the best target SC has, and he has lied his way into the doghouse too, earning an indefinite suspension. What part of this team is appealing?

2. Georgia:

I am not overly excited about the Bulldogs this season (as a Hog fan, that is impossible anyway) because they are once again breaking in a new QB. Last year Arkansas got a first-hand look at Joe Cox, as they made him look like Peyton Manning in Fayetteville. I'm not predicting the Ark-Georgia game here, but lets just say I don't expect another 50-point outburst from the 'Dogs against the Hogs. They are here based mostly on attrition. I don't like anyone else already mentioned to be better, so an 8-4 or 9-3 Georgia team will land at #2 in 2010.

1. Florida:

And the Gator train keeps on rolling. I have little doubt in my mind about this one. Florida may be better this year than last, as crazy as this sounds. Tim Tebow is a college legend, but Urban Meyer's system was almost totally shaped around his talents---and shortcomings---during his tenure. Insert John Brantley, after waiting his turn Brantley is ready to take the reigns and roll, and there are several reasons I think they won't miss a beat. For all the reasons I don't like South Carolina, I like Florida. Brantley's skills will be utilized in Meyer's system, the offensive line is loaded with blue-chip talent (like everywhere else. When you sign a top-3 class every year, it tends to be that way) and the next wave of skill players are itching for their chance. Youth should not be a problem, besides, we've seen this before. Tebow and Percy Harvin didn't have much of an impact their freshmen year, did they? I see absolutely no way the Gators fail to return to Atlanta this year for the SEC championship game, even if their October 2 trip to Tuscaloosa results in a loss. It will be their only one until the SEC-CG, and we will cross that bridge when we get there.

Can't give away all the predictions yet, so stay tuned!