So this week I will talk about the greatest league in all of sports, the Southeastern Conference.
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Before I get into my team predictions, I wanted to make a few individual `shots in the dark` in which I think I would put a George Washington, or twenty on.
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Not since Herschel Walker has a running back carried the rock for 2,000 yards. I have a gut feeling we could see it this year. The homer in me says that Nick Chubb could be the one to do it. I think we saw last year that Chubb can tote the ball 20-30 times in a game. With a new quarterback this year for Georgia, I can almost bet he will get those numbers in a lot of games. The only thing that can slow him down will be his own team. By that, I mean if Sony Michel returns to form, the speedster from Florida will get a ton of touches as well.
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Finally, I think that the Southeastern Conference will set a record this week with 13 teams going to bowl games. The only team that will be sitting at home is poor Vanderbilt. You know the Commies are wishing James Franklin would come back.
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So how will each team do? Let`s start with the West.
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Alabama will have one, if not the toughest schedules in football. Opening with Wisconsin, who went 11-3 last year, will be tough. They will also have to travel to Athens, Texas AM, Mississippi State and Auburn. The Tide will also have to host Tennessee as its Eastern foe. They do not have a proven quarterback and without all-world wide receiver Armari Cooper. I think they will win 9.
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Arkansas is much improved but the loss of running back Jonathan Williams will hurt the Hogs. They start the season with UTEP, Toledo and Texas Tech before playing Texas AM in Jerry`s World. They must also travel to Knoxville, Bama, and LSU. Six wins should be in the books for the Razorbacks.
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What has Auburn done to impress the world? Apparently they laid a golden egg during the offseason with the hire of Will Muschamp. Jeremy Johnson has the world talking, but with only a few snaps he is yet to prove himself in my book. We will find out how good they are when they open with Louisville. Their biggest road game will be LSU, and will be hosting Georgia, Bama, Mississippi State, and Bama. Watch out for Jacksonville State you War Eagles. I can see 10 wins for Auburn this year.
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LSU is in a weird transition. After four straight 10-win seasons, LSU slid down to the middle of the road in the SEC West last year. On defense, the Tigers will have to battle some questions of their own in the wake of John Chavis`s sudden move to a division rival. Tony Ball came from Georgia, where he coached receivers for the last six seasons. He will help in so many areas, including recruiting. Brandon Harris (So.) will be the starter and quarterback, but the team`s success will depend on stud running back Leonard Fournette. Looks like another 8 win season for the Mad Hatter.
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Mississippi State stunned the world last year and was the top ranked team in the country for several weeks. With only seven returning starters I don`t think Bulldogs can contend for 10 wins this year. However, Dak Prescott will be good for 8 or 9 wins.
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Like their Mississippi brothers, Ole Miss is looking to return to last year`s shape, minus the Chick Fil A Bowl embarrassment. This will be their do or die season because it will be the last for many studs including Laquon Treadwell. Robert Nkemdiche and Laramy Tunsil. I see 10 wins for the Rebels.
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Texas A&M is begging for a player like Johnny Football to return to Aggie land. The defense under Chavis will be very much improved, but can Kyle Allen live up to the hype as quarterback. Speedy Noil is a name to watch out for, he could be the `Honeybadger Version 2.0`. It`s 8 wins for the Aggies.
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Now onto the East.
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Florida lost WiLLL Muschamp and gained Jim McElwain. The problem is, McElwain got Muschamp`s players. One bright spot will be the running game. I can see Kelvin Taylor gaining over a 1,000 yards this year. Veron Hargreaves and Jalen Tabor will be dominate on defense. It`s a shame for the Gators that is all they have. If you can stop the run and run against them you will beat them. The Gators will be lucky to get 7 wins this year. I see 6.
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Kentucky will continue to improve. Mark Stoops has brought life back to the blue land. Where they will fall is on the defensive side. Having to replace Bud Dupree and Za`Darius Smith will be tough, but everywhere else they have upgraded. Great start last y ear at 5-1, but a 0-6 finish left questions in everyone`s mouth. I think they will learn how to close out some games. I give them 6 wins this year.
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Everyone leaves Mizzu out of the East talk. It`s hard to do if you are me when you win back to back titles. Things may get interesting this season having to replace a depleted defensive line and develop the quarterback, who has shown some regression over the last two seasons. The Tigers fall back to Earth this year with a 8 win season.
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South Carolina must find a quarterback. Dylan Thompson set the school`s single-season passing record last year with 3,564 yards. The frontrunner to replace him entering the fall is sophomore Connor Mitch. The defense was terrible last year, prompting Spurrier to hire old friend Jon Hoke, who coordinated defense for Spurrier at Florida from 1999-2001 and spent the last 13 years in the NFL as a defensive backs coach. It`s Spurrier`s team. I don`t see him having a season like last. He will be out to win more than just the Georgia game this year. 8 wins for the Cocks.
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I am so sick of hearing how good Tennessee will be this year. Butch Jones has been rebuilding for several years and if they don`t win 9 or 10 this year he could be in trouble in Orangeland. I think he will win 10, but fall short of the East. They will finish second in the division. I also think they will beat UGA this year in Knoxville.
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Vanderbilt. Still Vanderbilt. Here`s to 4 wins.
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Georgia. Oh Georgia. How have you toyed with my heart. My friend and 247Sports analyst Rusty Mansell told me three years ago that this was the Dawgs best shot. I agree. The defense will be improved, already over a much improved defense. A health stable of back will help take pressure off whatever quarterback will be taking the snaps. The recruiting class this year added depth that will only help. Another trip to the Dome is at hand and so is an 11 win season.
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So who plays in Atlanta this December? That nod goes to Georgia and Ole Miss.
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Until next week! Follow me on Twitter @TheTonyPotts
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<b>Tony Potts</b>