Ridiculously Early SEC West Rankings for 2011

[Tiger Wench]

From Barrett Sallee at CFN. I am not too sure I disagree with him too much.

Last week I revealed my ridiculously early 2011 SEC East rankings. This week, we go out west. If it was its own conference last season, the SEC West probably would be considered the best conference in college football. In 2011, that trend will probably continue. Will Auburn maintain its perch atop the division? Will LSU find its way back to Atlanta? Here’s how I see the SEC West shaking out in 2011 (predictions subject to, and probably will change).

6. Ole Miss Rebels
So Rebels, was the PR hit taken from the admission of Jeremiah Masoli worth the last place finish in the division? Was it worth a year of being stuck in neutral, only to find yourselves right back where you were one year ago? Nathan Stanley will be an adequate replacement for Masoli and the ground game will be solid with the underrated Brandon Bolden, but there are too many question marks to put the Rebs anywhere but the cellar at this point. Just as it did in 2009 the schedule sets up nicely, with road games at Vanderbilt, Fresno State, Auburn, Kentucky and Mississippi State. But the Rebels won’t have the talent, depth or coaching staff to compete in a year-in, year-out basis in the SEC West. However, don’t be surprised all six SEC West teams make a bowl in 2011.

5. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Dan Mullen’s name was hot this offseason during several coaching seraches, but his team in Starkville is even hotter. In just two years, he transformed Mississippi State from perennial SEC doormat to a nine-win team. In Starkville, that’s quite an accomplishment. But are the Bulldogs ready to take that next step to become an SEC West contender? No. At least, not yet. Name me Mississippi State’s biggest SEC win during Mullen’s two years at the helm? Overrated Ole Miss in 2009? Mediocre Florida in 2010? Color me unimpressed. The Bulldogs lose several key pieces on defense, including defensive end Pernell McPhee, linebacker Chris White and defensive coordinator Manny Diaz. Quarterback Chris Relf and running back Vick Ballard are back to lead the offense, but I won’t hop on the Mississippi State bandwagon (which is getting more crowded by the day) until the Bulldogs prove they can hang in the SEC West.

4. Auburn Tigers
Don’t take this the wrong way Auburn fans. Being ranked fourth in the SEC West is not an insult. Alabama finished fourth in the West last season and wound up in the top 10 of the final AP poll. The losses of quarterback Cam Newton, defensive end Nick Fairley and a veteran offensive line will force the Tigers to take a step back in 2011, but it won’t be a step off of a cliff like some are predicting. In three years head coach Gene Chizik has completely rebuilt a roster that was depleted under former head coach Tommy Tuberville. Offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn set records at Auburn with Chris Todd at quarterback in 2009, so whether it’s Barrett Trotter or somebody else that steps in at quarterback on the Plains, he should be in good hands. With road games at South Carolina, Clemson, Georgia, Arkansas and LSU, the schedule doesn’t do Auburn any favors. The Tigers will win some big games and contend for the division, but inexperience will rear its ugly head enough to prevent the Tigers from going to a BCS game for the second straight season.

3. Alabama Crimson Tide
Last offseason, it was Alabama’s defense that was the question mark. This offseason, the focus is on the offense. Gone are running back Mark Ingram, quarterback Greg McElroy, wide receiver Julio Jones and offensive tackle James Carpenter. Considering that the Tide offense was sporadic at times with these guys in the lineup last season, it’s going to go through some growing pains without them. Trent Richardson has the potential to be a Heisman Trophy caliber running back, but he hasn’t had to carry the load as the feature back during his career. With Alabama breaking in a new quarterback, he’s going to have to in 2011 – especially early. Schedule-wise, things set up relatively nicely. The Tide travels to Florida and Auburn, but gets Arkansas and LSU at home. Alabama will contend for the division title, and just like most contenders, if the ball bounces the right way, a trip to Atlanta is certainly possible.

2. Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas’ offense kicked into overdrive last season when Knile Davis emerged as the No. 1 running back. Sure Ryan Mallett is gone, but the nation got a sneak peek at what Tyler Wilson is capable of when Mallett went out with a concussion against Auburn. Wilson will get the benefit of having receivers Greg Childs, Joe Adams (if he can hold on to the ball) and Jarius Wright all back to make his job much easier. Couple a potent offense with a veteran defense, and you have a legitimate SEC contender – which is exactly what Arkansas will be in 2011. The Hogs have to travel to Tuscaloosa and Baton Rouge which won’t be easy, but I have more faith in the veteran Hogs than the more inexperienced Crimson Tide.

1. LSU Tigers
LSU lost a veteran running back in Stevan Ridley, but returns four starters on the offensive line, has a junior college transfer quarterback who’s familiar with the SEC coming in and has most of its tough conference games except for Alabama at home. Sound familiar? Oh yeah, that’s the same story we wrote about Auburn last season. Remind me again how that worked out for them? Former Georgia quarterback Zach Mettenberger will step in and compete with veterans Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee for the No. 1 spot. The Tigers averaged 39.5 points per game over the last four games of 2010, and with maligned offensive coordinator Gary Crowton gone in favor of Steve Kragthorpe, the Tigers are sure to get at least a minor offensive boost in 2011. That’ll be all they need. All-everything cornerback Patrick Peterson is gone, but the Tigers return seven starters on defense. That’s more than enough for defensive coordinator John Chavis to work his magic. The opener against Oregon will be interesting, but even with a loss, LSU will still be right in the thick of the national championship hunt.

Barrett Sallee covers the SEC for www.CollegeFootballNews.com. He can be reached at barrettsallee@gmail.com, or on Twitter at @BarrettSallee

[djsimp]

I actually think the top 4 can be in any order. LSU is always loaded with talent but Les Miles will do something stupid enough to keep them out of ATL. I would have to put Arkansas at #1 even though they lost Mallett. The Tyler Wilson kid is not slouch and think most of us remember him. bama, they lose a lot of talent to and one of those is Mr. "Undefeated" along with Ingram, Julio and Dareus.

The first few games will be extremely important for Auburn. This will be the time where Auburn will need to gel as a unit and will go along way on how the rest of the season turns out.

[ssgaufan]

I would have to agree that LSU is a safe bet to win the West next year.  Lucky Les will pull it off, and they have the talent to be playing for the BCS NC.  Arky will be good, but after a couple of games DC's will be able to adjust to Wilson, and he shouldn't look like a superstar after that.

[Snaggletiger]

Not sold on Wilson until he faces some real competition.  34-51 for 453 yards and 4 TD's against Neiko Torched does not prove anything.

[ssgaufan]

Not sold on Wilson until he faces some real competition.  34-51 for 453 yards and 4 TD's against Neiko Torched does not prove anything.

So true.   

[AWK]

Not sold on Wilson until he faces some real competition.  34-51 for 453 yards and 4 TD's against Neiko Torched does not prove anything.

Neiko Thorpe has a National Championship ring, though.

[AU_Tiger_2000]

Neiko Thorpe has a National Championship ring, though.

Maybe next year he can poke a receiver in the eye with it.  Could only help.

[AWK]

Maybe next year he can poke a receiver in the eye with it.  Could only help.

He graduated...wahhhhh wahhhhhhhhhhhh.

[Tiger Wench]

Maybe next year he can poke a receiver in the eye with it.  Could only help.

Awesome.  Just awesome.

[djsimp]

He graduated...wahhhhh wahhhhhhhhhhhh.

You wish.

[Snaggletiger]

He's baaaaaack

[Kaos]

LSU would be my pick, too.  Crowton sucked at QB development (except in bowl games where Jordan Jefferson has rocked houses). 

I'm not buying the bag Bama's selling for the similar reasons that had me seeing a seven or eight win Auburn season.  Difference is Bama didn't sign anybody who can blow it up like Cam Newton this season.  Newton was good for wins over Clemson, SC, KY, UGA, LSU and UA.  If you're being objective you have to admit that losing any or all of those six close games was a distinct possibility without Cam. Alabama has a favorable schedule, but as I said about  AU losing 70% of its offense before last year I really think they're going to have a harder time replacing Ginger McCussion, Titty Baby Ingram and Pippi Douchestocking than they expect.  I was wrong about AU, but that's the exception not the rule. 

I can't buy Arkansas either.  They're Arkansas and have choke tattooed to their psyche. Lost to shitting Ohio State?  Are you kidding me?  I do think they'll be better without Mallet than they were with him.  Better team, not necessarily better players.

MSU?  Right.  They're MSU.  Same with Ole Miss. Never make the SEC-CG.

[ssgaufan]

Mark it down.  Ohio St will skate through the big 10 next year even with the suspensions (they never play anybody worth a damn until their conference games start) and be playing for the MNC.

[AUChizad]

I see the top 4 as LSU, and then a 3-way tie for 2a, 2b, and 2c.

Completely agree about Arkansas's innate ability to choke the big games away. Too early to even guess at who will finish second in the west, and probably will remain so until a few games have been played.

But there's no off-season-fun in that.

[Snaggletiger]

LSU had better be stacked because they have a pretty stacked schedule. When your first 3 games are Oregon, MSU and WVU all away from home, you'd better be able to bring it.



Sept. 3 vs. Oregon Arlington, Texas

Sept. 10 Northwestern State Baton Rouge

Sept. 17 at Mississippi State Starkville, Miss.

Sept. 24 at West Virginia Morgantown, W. Va.

Oct. 1 Kentucky Baton Rouge

Oct. 8 Florida Baton Rouge

Oct. 15 at Tennessee Knoxville, Tenn.

Oct. 22 Auburn Baton Rouge

Oct. 29 Open

Nov. 5 at Alabama Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Nov. 12 Western Kentucky Baton Rouge

Nov. 19 at Ole Miss Oxford, Miss.

Nov. 26 Arkansas Baton Rouge

[Tiger Wench]

My husband and I, along with a fullblooded corn dog couple, will be in attendance on September 3 in Jerryland to watch Oregon get their second SEC beatdown in a row.  Should be a blast.

[AU_Tiger_2000]

MSU?  Right.  They're MSU.  Same with Ole Miss. Never make the SEC-CG.

I used to think the same thing about USCe.  Of course they kind of just ended up there as the last team in the east to crap themselves.

[Kaos]

LSU had better be stacked because they have a pretty stacked schedule. When your first 3 games are Oregon, MSU and WVU all away from home, you'd better be able to bring it.

Sept. 3 vs. Oregon Arlington, Texas

Unless Oregon force feeds their offensive and defensive lines steroids for the next six months, LSU will line it up and pound them into submission and shut their ass down and out.  The Ducks will be missing the only defensive players they had who were worth a tin shit in a copper bucket in Matthews and Rowe.  They'll also be missing that slow ass white receiver who got run down from behind but runs good routes. 

They've got mighty mite James still there, but he will be held below 100 by the second straight SEC defense. 

WVU, I don't know.  But LSU will turn OU into a skidmark.

[Snaggletiger]

Unless Oregon force feeds their offensive and defensive lines steroids for the next six months, LSU will line it up and pound them into submission and shut their ass down and out.  The Ducks will be missing the only defensive players they had who were worth a tin shit in a copper bucket in Matthews and Rowe.  They'll also be missing that slow ass white receiver who got run down from behind but runs good routes. 

They've got mighty mite James still there, but he will be held below 100 by the second straight SEC defense. 

WVU, I don't know.  But LSU will turn OU into a skidmark.

I agree that they should without a doubt.  First game of the year scares me a little though because oftentimes, teams may be a little rusty and not in sync...or backstreet boys. 

[AUTiger1]

With the game being in Arlington, there will be a sea of Gold and Purple.  Advantage LSU.