Five SEC Questions
Back To SEC
By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com
Follow us at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin. Become a fan at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page
Five questions that will help shape the 2015 season in the SEC.
1. Alabama, Auburn, Or?
Either the Crimson Tide or Tigers have played in five of the last six national championship games, and Alabama was in the inaugural College Football Playoff. Any drive to a title, in recent years, has gone through the Yellowhammer State; that doesn’t appear likely to change anytime soon. Both powerhouse programs will be ranked very high in the pre-season polls and are considered to be among the championship frontrunners. With these two, the last Saturday in November could be a springboard into national prominence once more. Every season in the SEC has surprises, however, and a different contender could certainly emerge.
2. Who are the Next Great Quarterbacks?
There aren’t many proven signal callers in a league that, just two years ago, had current NFL quarterbacks Johnny Manziel, A.J. McCarron, Zach Mettenberger, Aaron Murray and Connor Shaw, among others. After 42 total touchdowns a season ago, Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott is the obvious headliner and a national star. There are a handful of veterans returning, but many more players, inexperienced but very talented, are just now stepping into the spotlight. Quarterback play will be a fascinating x-factor in college football’s top conference.
3. Could All Seven SEC West Teams be Ranked?
For point of reference, Phil Steele has five division teams slotted in his pre-season top 25 and all seven teams in his national top 40. Given all of these bullies play each other, a lot would have to fall into place for every single SEC West team to be ranked at the same time. That said, each could debut in the polls over the season’s full duration. The top-to-bottom depth is stunning. Good luck with your summer projections, as it’s extremely difficult to differentiate based on talent and expectations. The end result should be another super-competitive and super-fun year in the division.
4. Is it Tennessee’s Time?
No power five conference team returns more starters than the Volunteers, who boast 18. Edge rushers Derek Barnett and Curt Maggitt are the league’s top two returnees in tackles for loss, with a combined 35.5 from last season. Quarterback Josh Dobbs will headline a dynamic offense that will also feature running back Jalen Hurd and a bevy of talented receivers. Butch Jones has recruited extremely well in Knoxville and all of that potential may now be ready to come to fruition. Tennessee won four of its last five to finish this past year.
5. How Good is Nick Chubb?
As a true freshman, Georgia’s latest workhorse ran for 1,547 yards and 14 touchdowns on just 219 carries, a staggering 7.06 yards per carry. The last SEC player to top that average (with at least 100 attempts) was Felix Jones way back in 2007. Chubb was at his best in many of the Bulldogs’ biggest games. He finished the season with 266 yards against an elite Louisville defense in the Belk Bowl. At a school that has had countless star running backs, there is definitely something special with Chubb. His sophomore year could be more history in the making.
‘