OTS's 2008 SEC Predictions

by outsidethesidelines on Aug 21, 2008 10:30 AM CDT Comment 23 comments

Here goes my SEC predictions for 2008. They are entirely comprehensive, covering every single game played by every SEC team, and they are probably filled with plenty of errors. Nevertheless, here they are, no apologies, no regrets...

Alabama Crimson Tide (8-4 overall, 5-3 conferece)

Clemson: L

Tulane: W

WKU: W

Arkansas: W

Georgia: L

Kentucky: W

Ole Miss: W

Tennessee: W

Arkansas State: W

LSU: L

MSU: W

Auburn: L

Note: The Tide has five particularly tough opponents on the schedule, and they are pretty evenly spaced out. As a result, it's going to be pretty difficult for them to reel off any long winning streaks with the schedule. However, on the other hand, there are no overly brutal stretches, and as a result there shouldn't be any long losing streaks either.

Arkansas Razorbacks (5-7 overall, 2-6 conference)

Western Illinois: W

La Monroe: W

Texas: L

Alabama: L

Florida: L

Auburn: L

Kentucky: W

Ole Miss: L

Tulsa: W

South Carolina: L

MSU: W

LSU: L

Note: Once the first couple of games get out of the way, it's hell for the Hogs with arguably the toughest four-week stretch in all of college football, and it won't slack up from there. Kentucky should probably be a win, but Ole Miss and MSU will be close, they'll almost certainly lose to LSU, and probably South Carolina too. Even Tulsa, you can rest assured, will give them pure hell, and may very well get the victory.

Auburn Tigers (11-1 overall, 7-1 conference)

La Monroe: W

Southern Miss: W

MSU: W

LSU: W

Tennessee: W

Vanderbilt: W

Arkansas: W

West Virginia: W

Ole Miss: W

Tennessee-Martin: W

Georgia: L

Alabama: W

Note: If Auburn gets by LSU early, look out. They should be able to beat Tennessee, and from there the only legitimate threat until they play Georgia will be WVU. Though I picked WVU, I do have to love Auburn's chances there because of their past success of stopping the spread option. Bottom line, if this team gets by LSU, the probable worst case scenario is that UGA comes to town to face an 8-2 Tiger team that has all but locked up the SEC West. This team could easily make serious noise.

Florida Gators (12-0 overall, 8-0 conference)

Hawai'i: W

Miami: W

Tennessee: W

Ole Miss: W

Arkansas: W

LSU: W

Kentucky: W

Georgia: W

Vanderbilt: W

South Carolina: W

Citadel: W

Florida State: W

Notes: This is a front-loaded schedule where all of the activity will come in the first two months of the season. Once the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party reaches a conclusion, it's a relatively easy slate for Florida over the final month. They should beat South Carolina at home, FSU isn't likely to be very good, and Vandy and the Citadel will be nothing more than Gator appetizers.

Georgia Bulldogs (11-1 overall, 7-1 conference)

Georgia Southern: W

Central Michigan: W

South Carolina: W

Arizona State: W

Alabama: W

Tennessee: W

Vanderbilt: W

LSU: W

Florida: L

Kentucky: W

Auburn: W

Georgia Tech: W

Notes: Though the Dawgs get to somewhat ease into the season with a couple of relatively easy games in the opener, from there it is brutal, and at no point does the schedule slack up.

Kentucky Wildcats (4-8 overall, 1-7 SEC)

Louisville: L

Norfolk State: W

Middle Tennessee: W

Western Kentucky: W

Alabama: L

South Carolina: L

Arkansas: L

Florida: L

Mississippi State: L

Georgia: L

Vanderbilt: W

Tennessee: L

LSU Tigers (9-3 overall, 5-3 SEC)

Appalachian State: W

Troy: W

North Texas: W

Auburn: L

MSU: W

Florida: L

South Carolina: W

Georgia: L

Tulane: W

Alabama: W

Ole Miss: W

Arkansas: W

Notes: With the first three games coming against cupcakes, regardless of how good or how bad this team may be, they'll be 3-0 going to Auburn and no one will really know if they are a quality football team or not. In many ways, the Auburn game is the true season opener. The back-end of the schedule is pretty light, though, too, and as a result the entirety of LSU's season is going to be determined in a five-week stretch mid-season that includes Auburn, Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Ole Miss Rebels (6-6 overall, 3-5 SEC)

Memphis: W

Wake Forest: L

Samford: W

Vanderbilt: W

Florida: L

South Carolina: L

Alabama: L

Arkansas: W

Auburn: L

La Monroe: W

LSU: L

Mississippi State: W

Mississippi State: (6-6 overall, 3-5 conference)

La Tech: W

Southeastern Louisiana: W

Auburn: L

Georgia Tech: L

LSU: L

Vanderbilt: W

Tennessee: L

Middle Tennessee State: W

Kentucky: W

Alabama: L

Arkansas: W

Ole Miss: L

Notes: State simply isn't good enough to chalk up a lot of certain wins in 2008. Louisiana Tech will test them in Ruston, and it wouldn't be overly shocking if they lost, and Georgia Tech will make it tough too. They are still likely to lose to the top programs of the SEC, and sans SELA and MTSU, it's hard to find guaranteed wins on this schedule.

South Carolina (9-3 overall, 6-2 conference)

North Carolina State: W

Vanderbilt: W

Georgia: L

Wofford: W

UAB: W

Ole Miss: W

Kentucky: W

LSU:W

Tennessee: W

Arkansas: W

Florida:L

Clemson: L

Notes: Even if this team loses at home to Georgia early in the season, the schedule is so back-loaded that they should start 6-1 with LSU coming to town. With four of the last five games coming against quality teams, though, we may see a collapse similar to what we saw last year.

Tennessee Volunteers (7-5 overall, 3-5 conference)

UCLA: W

UAB: W

Florida: L

Auburn: L

Northern Illinois: W

Georgia: L

Mississippi State: W

Alabama: L

South Carolina: L

Wyoming: W

Vanderbilt: W

Kentucky: W

Notes: Even if the Vols beat UCLA in the season opener, the schedule is so front-loaded that they may very go into the final three weeks with a sub .500 record (4-5). However, their last three games are so incredibly weak that a loss is almost hard to fathom in any of them. As a result, the Vols' season is effectively going to be wrapped up by early November.

Vanderbilt Commodores (3-9 overall, 1-7 conference)

Miami (Ohio): W

South Carolina: L

Rice: W

Ole Miss: L

Auburn:L

Mississippi State: L

Georgia: L

Duke: W

Florida: L

Kentucky: L

Tennessee: L

Wake Forest: L

Final SEC Standings

SEC East

(1) Florida (12-0, 8-0)

(2) Georgia (11-1, 7-1)

(3) South Carolina (8-4, 5-3)

(4) Tennessee: (7-5, 3-5)

(5) Kentucky (4-8, 1-7)

(6) Vanderbilt (3-9, 0-8)

SEC West

(1) Auburn (11-1, 7-1)

(2) LSU (9-3, 5-3)

(2) Alabama (8-4, 5-3)

(4) Ole Miss (6-6, 3-5)

(5) Mississippi State (6-6, 3-5)

(6) Arkansas (5-7, 2-6)

0 recs | Comment 23 comments

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Comments

I picked the West

in exactly the same order. The East I’ve got UF, UT, then UGA., SC, KY, Vandy. I think UT beats AU. AU could lose 2 or 3 conf. games this year and still win the West in my opinion.

by LSU Jonno on Aug 21, 2008 10:44 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Pragmatist

OTS, as always the pragmatist. I agree for the most part with everything. I think Alabama has an incredibly difficult schedule with facing so many good teams away from home. I do not think Auburn will get through their season with only one loss, and I think Tennessee will be better than you predict. Still, good stuff and no matter what any of us say it will end up being incredibly different in the end.

by Kenny483 on Aug 21, 2008 10:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

OTS

do you think Bama has a chance to pick up a win over Auburn or LSU?

Roll Tide, Bitches!!!

by BamaReturns07 on Aug 21, 2008 10:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

pepper 25

I think most of the predictions you have given are the same as any person on any major media paycheck. All from paper. I believe people need to look at Alabama’s special teams players coming back, (not to mention a full offense almost with receivers obviously not a problem now), those including Javier Arenas who should have been a First Team selection, Leigh Tiffin, and P.J. Fitzgerald. Now, to look at the defense… Most people that print the preseason outcomes also have not or do not recognize that there are more than 4-5 defensive players returning that contributed considerable time after the second or third series in each game Alabama played last year. After saying that I believe most everything else you said to be somewhat a believable assumption. Only exceptions being those games and teams we played last year that resulted in losses because of one offensive let down or fluke. Sorry… it is to obvious this year just in my own personal feeling that this team is a TEAM and will rely on not letting things steamroll the wrong way for to long during any game this year. Look for Alabama to get up early and stay there for most every game we play.

by pepper 25 on Aug 21, 2008 9:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Auburn West Virginia

Your comments and pick kind of contradict themselves, if you want to fix that.

by Bobby Briggs on Aug 21, 2008 11:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If the Vols season

turns out as you predict, they won’t have a big win chance late in the season to impress the bowl folks. How do you think that affects their bowl chances after going 4-5 late into the season?

I’m with you on the Vols for the most part, though I think USC might turn into a win, and, of course, I always worry a bit about our game with them, even when they shouldn’t win. However, I think it’s very likely that they end up 4-5 or 5-4 with three games left to go.

I bleed crimson and white...I puke Vol puke orange. RTR

by SugarBowl93 on Aug 21, 2008 11:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I believe

we take LSU or Auburn, if not both. If the youngsters can keep their heads in Baton Rouge and not let the hype/death threats shake them, I think we can win. As for the Iron Bowl, I just don’t think my heart can take another loss.

by Nose Guard on Aug 21, 2008 1:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

No Flame

And it’s a very realistic prediction for us…..I just hope you’re wrong :-)

by sandman227 on Aug 21, 2008 3:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Not to be persnickety

But, you are showing LSU with 3 losses, and in teh LSU section you list them winning against Garnet Visor. But inthe Gamecock area, you show them with a win against teh Tigers. I’m so confused!

LSU and Auburn have had their up years, and it is about time for the tide to turn for the Tide, much to my chagrin. I remember Stewart Mandel’s column from a year or so ago that predicted the equilibrium to return in Bama’s favor, as it is a program that teh NCAA cannot keep down for long. Good luck, and let’s keep the Waterford football in teh place where Speed Equals Championships.

by Southern Papa on Aug 21, 2008 3:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

OTS must be an booger plant!

I’m kidding, but why are the boogers so great? The STOP, CHOP & ROLL offense will improve their offensive production, but will equally make them less effective defensively. No rookie QB goes 11-1 in the SEC. It just doesn’t happen!!

Also for the first time in a long time, I see weakness in the Boogers depth, particularly in the secondary and at running back even on the offensive and defensive lines.

Most of the boogs tough games are in the “Trailerpark”, since when have the boogs played better at home against anybody but LSU?

by heffie on Aug 21, 2008 3:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Here are my Bama predictions!!!

Alabama Crimson Tide (8-4 overall, 5-3 conferece)

Clemson: L

Tulane: W

WKU: W

Arkansas: W

Georgia: W

Kentucky: W

Ole Miss: L

Tennessee: L

Arkansas State: W

LSU: L

MSU: W

Auburn: W

We catch UGA in a brutal stretch. Ritch always drops a few early that he shouldn’t. Ole Miss is going to beat either Bama or Auburn or both!

by heffie on Aug 21, 2008 3:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Vanderbilt SEC Record

The top of the Vanderbilt section shows them at (1-7) in the SEC but when I go through the schedule it is (0-8). Roll Tide!

by RammerJammer23 on Aug 21, 2008 3:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Here is my BOOGER prediction

Auburn Tigers (8-4 overall, 4-4 conference)

La Monroe: W

Southern Miss: W

MSU: W

LSU: L

Tennessee: L

Vanderbilt: W

Arkansas: W

West Virginia: W

Ole Miss: W

Tennessee-Martin: W

Georgia: L

Alabama: L

Auburn will toast MSU, but the physical toll will be felt against LSU. The Boogs QB situation is comparable to the Corndogs, but LSU has a better defense this year (AU was better was year). LSU wins but the BOOGS are still undefeated in the maiming of opposing linemen.

If the BOOGS get by UT and LSU and OLe Miss has Hardy back in form, then I’ll go with Ole Miss as E. Davis power rushes all over the spread!!!

by heffie on Aug 21, 2008 3:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

awBArn is not

going to win 11 games.
To lazy to list the reasons.

The TIDE will win the west in super dramatic fashion with Tiffin kicking a game winner against the boogs, just like his dad did, to put the TIDE in the championship game.

ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

tubs sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!

by BAMA PHREAK on Aug 21, 2008 4:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

OTS

you’ve got the east nailed…but the west is hard to figure. I just don’t buy Auburn being better than last year. I see a 3 godo but not great teams and thus a 3 way tie Bama-LSU-Auburn at the end with Bama losing to UGA, TN, & LSU; Auburn losing to MSU, UGA, and Bama; LSU losing to AU, FL, and Ole Miss. In a tie-break Bama wins the west.

by 5026 on Aug 21, 2008 7:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Actually...

Not trying to nitpick here, but I think if the scenario you mentioned above works out, LSU will actually win the West.

I think the first tiebreaker among the three would effectively be divisional record, and with ‘Bama and LSU both at 4-1 and Auburn at 3-2, that would eliminate Auburn. From there, it’s a two-way tie and you just go to the head to head match-up in that particular case. You have LSU beating us, so I think that would send them to Atlanta.

by outsidethesidelines on Aug 21, 2008 7:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually

LSU’s divisional record in that scenario is 3-2 having lost to Auburn and Ole Miss, while bama is 4-1 having lost to only LSU in divisional play. So 5026 would be sending us to Atlanta twice in one year.

by DarthGayd on Aug 22, 2008 12:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're right...

Totally misread that one; for some reason I read it thinking he had LSU losing to Florida and Georgia.

by outsidethesidelines on Aug 22, 2008 12:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why the Auburn love?

OTS, I agree totally with everything else except Auburn. You must be seeing something I don’t (which is entirely likely), but I really think Auburn is going to have a down year this year. You just can’t lose what they lost and change BOTH coordinators and get BETTER. I don’t see it.

BamaFrazier

by BamaFrazier on Aug 21, 2008 7:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Tennessee

Ok I dont like them either, but 7-5? I would say 8 or 9 wins for the Vols this year

by Bamabrave4 on Aug 21, 2008 9:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

ok ots!!!

i love your picks but come on you dont actualy think that the barn will beat bama do you? i realy think that bama will beat the barn this year, and i would be a little surprised if they didn’t !!!

by cmyster94 on Aug 21, 2008 11:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Auburn

I think Auburn will have a good season, but it’s still kind of mystery. They usually do the opposite of what the rankings predict. CTT will have them ready to play but the secondary issues will probably lose them a few more games than people expect. Alabama should have beat Auburn in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007. I think coaching has come down to all these losts, and the only way Alabama will win this year is if Saban and his staff out coach CTT and his staff.

by Geauxbama85 on Aug 22, 2008 5:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Dear OTS,

You play the odds with your picks, which does normally pay. For better or worse, I agree with you exactly on half the teams in the conference, and closely with each of the others. Here are my uneducated guesses, in abbreviated form:
Alabama: 9-3; losses to UGA, UT, LSU
Arkansas: 4-8; losses same as yours, plus MSU
Auburn: 9-3; losses to LSU, UGA, Bama
Florida: 12-0, dammit
Georgia: 11-1; loss to UF
Kentucky: 4-8; losses same as yours
LSU: 10-2; losses to UF, UGA
Mississippi State: 6-6, losses same as yours
Ole Miss: 6-6, losses same as yours
South Carolina: 9-3, losses to UGA, LSU, UF
Tennessee: 8-4, losses to UF, Aub, UGA, SC
Vanderbilt: 3-9, losses same as yours

Of course, I have thought we would win more games than we have at the start of every season since 1999, with the lone exception of the 2005 season. Thank goodness I don’t do this for a living.

by NiceLittleSaturday on Aug 22, 2008 10:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs