SEC Season Wrap Up

Alabama (13-0, 8-0) - The Crimson Tide avenged last year's loss against the Gators in the SEC Championship game with a totally dominating performance. They have set themselves up to play for the team's 13th national championship against the Texas Longhorns as well as sweeping a number of postseason SEC accolades. Close wins over rivals Tennessee, LSU and Auburn made the season interesting, but the Tide took care of business, wrapping up an undefeated regular season and a 22nd SEC title.  Result: BCS Championship Game vs. Texas

Arkansas (7-5, 3-5) - Arkansas has improved as a team over last year, but the overtime loss to LSU put a bit of a damper on things. The Hogs had an opportunity to tie for second in the West, but had to settle for fourth. Quarterback Ryan Mallett was able to establish himself as (perhaps) the league's premier passer.  The Hogs need to work on defensive consistency in the off-season to establish themselves as contenders in the West.  Result: Liberty Bowl vs. East Carolina

Auburn (7-5, 3-5) - Auburn started on a hot streak, winning five in a row, but finished the regular season with a 2-5 slide.  The quality wins - over Ole Miss and Tennessee (as well as Big East power West Virginia) were somewhat balanced by inexplicable losses versus Kentucky and Georgia.  Still, the Tigers' strong showing against Alabama has Auburn fans looking forward to the future under Gene Chizik.  Result: Outback Bowl vs. Northwestern



More after the jump...

Florida (12-1, 8-0) - The Gators benefited from a weak schedule and honestly, a weak division. The defending national champions started the season with the goal of attaining the first undefeated season in school history, but fell short against Alabama in the championship game.  The only question remaining for the Gators is whether or not Tebow can bring them back from the devastating loss to the Tide for one final victory. Result: Sugar Bowl vs. Cincinnati

Georgia (7-5, 4-4) - The Bulldogs are an average team and finished with a disappointing record, but unlikely victories over Auburn and a top-10 Georgia Tech team helped ease the pain. Marc Richt has already cleaned house, firing three assistants, including DC Willie Martinez, in an effort to keep himself off the hot seat.  Next year may be make-or-break for Richt. Result: Independence Bowl vs. Texas A&M

Kentucky (7-5, 3-5) - Kentucky is a decent team, but they missed an opportunity to make a good season a great one with an overtime loss to Tennessee. Still, historic victories over Auburn and Georgia, and the Wildcat's fourth consecutive bowl game, made 2009 a successful year for UK. Result: Music City Bowl vs. Clemson

LSU (9-3, 5-3) - LSU's two losses to Alabama and Florida were not unexpected, but Les Miles' botching of the Ole Miss game was epic. Fortunately for Miles, he righted the ship against Arkansas. The Bayou Bengals still have an opportunity for a ten-win season, if they can take care of business against JoePa and the Nittany Lions. Result: Capital One Bowl vs. Penn State

Mississippi (8-4, 4-4) - Ole Miss is a split personality team, it seems. They tanked against South Carolina, Alabama, and Auburn, then seemed to be ready to turn things around by pummeling Tennessee and pulling out a miracle win over LSU. Then of course, they got dominated by MSU. Obviously, they did not win the West, and if anything, declined a bit compared to last year, although a big bowl win would help salvage the season somewhat. Result: Cotton Bowl vs. Oklahoma State

Mississippi State (5-7, 3-5) - State played a tough schedule out of conference (Houston, Georgia Tech) and in, and while they were unable to reach bowl eligibility, they go into the off-season feeling good about the program - especially the Egg Bowl win over Ole Miss. While 5-7 isn't the goal, first -year coach Dan Mullen has got to be pleased about bringing the Bulldogs their second best season since 2000.  Result: No bowl

South Carolina (7-5, 3-5) - South Carolina didn't completely fall off the map at the end of the year, but close enough. Only a surprising victory over rival Clemson kept the season from another disastrous finish. Still, wrapping up 2009 in Birmingham is nothing to write home about. Result: PapaJohns.com Bowl vs. Connecticut

Tennessee (7-5, 4-4) - Tennessee finished 2009 strong, despite laying an egg against Ole Miss (aka Dexter McCluster). The Vols got jobbed out of the Outback Bowl, but got a better game in the process. Tennessee looks to become a player again in the East, if they can hang on to their coaching staff and recruits.  Result: Chick-Fil-A Bowl vs. Virginia Tech

Vanderbilt (2-10, 0-8) - Just horrible, or in other words, back to normal. Result: No bowl