I think we will be fine. I think White will be a serviceable QB. I think we won't have a thousand yard runner but the RB's will get it done.
We aren't going to light the world on fire, but I don't think 7-8 wins is unreasonable. We had a 6-6 record before the bowl last year and I would argue that we will be improved especially on defense over last year.
There are several teams in the SEC (that we are playing) with more question marks than we have. aTm, Miss State, UGA. Like Jarhead said the key game is aTm, we lose that and we are in a world of hurt. I don't think we will lose it.
A rational take. I would differ in that I think we do get a 1,000 yard rusher. Our O-line is really good up the middle and Malzahn's system is set up for it. I keep going back to Barber last year. He had no vision whatsoever. Oh my God, I'm blind! He wound up sharing carries with JR down the stretch and still got 1,000.
As for White, here's what we have as a sampling of his work from last year. Yesterday, the SEC Network was replaying some games from last year and I watched a good bit of MSU and Arky. In his first start against MSU, he was 20-28 and 188 yards. Obviously it was a lot of short passes but one thing was clear, AU didn't pick up a blitz the entire night and if he did try and stand in the pocket, he got hammered time and time again.
Against UK on the road, he was 17-28 for 255. Solid in the win. Then the what shoulda'/coulda' been game against the Hawgs on the road. 19-34 for 254. How many dropped passes down field? 10?
So....obviously JJ will be the starter.