2012 SEC Predictions (SEC East)

Well ladies and gents, since my graduate classes are occupying what little time I have, I haven't been able to get anything written for the blog.  I wanted to at least get out my predictions for how I see the SEC shaking out this season and then hopefully being able to follow this post up with my picks for week 1.  We'll start with the SEC East.  Well, this year...I don't even think that Mark Richt can screw this up for the Dawgs.  That's right UGA fans, I'm picking the Dawgs to win the SEC East.  The primary reason is because I feel that they have one of the easiest schedules in the SEC.  They don't play Bama, LSU or Arkansas this year with Auburn being their toughest challenge out of the West.  Here is the way I see it top to bottom:

1. Georgia
2. Florida
3. South Carolina
4. Missouri (a close 4th behind USC)
5. Vandy
6. Tennessee
7. Kentucky

The reason that I say that Mizzou is a close 4th behind South Carolina is because the best thing that the Gamecocks have going is their running game and the Old Ballcoach has proven time and time again that he doesn't know how to rely on a running game.  It's against his genetic makeup.  That's why I feel that Florida edges out South Carolina for 2nd and I see Mizzou beating the Gamecocks in Columbia because Spurrier won't give the rock to Lattimore enough and even though Mizzou doesn't have a defense to speak of, arguably the strength of that defense is their secondary and their offense is strong enough to keep them in the game.  As far as Florida and Georgia, most people know that I like Muschamp and I really think that this could be the year that he coaches these guys up and might pull off a miracle and win the East...but I'm not willing to put my money on that just yet.  Even though Florida is not playing Bama this year they have LSU and of course UGA and then that other team from north Florida, Florida State, who some people see challenging for the National Championship.  I think that is the difference between Florida and UGA is that Florida has a slightly harder schedule that UGA.  Florida's defense is going to have to score some points this year though cause their offense is not that great.  Once again this year, the SEC East is the weaker of the divisions and it could turn into a three team race if Mark pulls a Richt.  I'll be following up with the SEC West.

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