SEC Bloggers: 5 Bold Predictions, Part IIb

CFN's SEC Bloggers share their second set of five outside-the-box predictions for the 2011 football season. From Florida going winless in October or Tennessee (yes Tennessee) winning the Eastern Division, to LSU's Jordan Jefferson having a good season - IF he's permitted to play.

For the first half of this column, CLICK HERE.


Brian Harbach: Tennessee will win the SEC East.

You want bold...you got bold. How about the Tennessee Volunteers as your SEC Eastern Division Champions. Not buying it, well this isn’t meant to convince you to bet the farm, cash in your 401K and put little Timmy’s college fund on hold for the next four months. This is an explanation as to why it isn’t that crazy a thought as you think.

Keep in mind we are discussing the SEC East, not former Big XII South, not the SEC West and not whatever teams are in the Leaders division of the B1G. The East is about as bad a division as you can have in college football, and one of four teams has the chance to win it...sorry Kentucky and Vandy. Tennessee has a big armed QB in Tyler Bray and two down field threats with Justin Hunter and Da’Rick Rogers.

The running game will be better with an O-line that is a little more experienced, and they will give up fewer sacks just with Matt Simms riding the bench. The defense is a problem, especially the front seven, but every team in the East has a huge glaring issue.

Florida has a bunch of spread guys running now running a Power I offense, Georgia has no depth at any position on offense and Stephen Garcia is still quarterbacking the Gamecocks. You still think Tennessee has no chance?

Derek Dooley happens to be in his second year in Knoxville, and second year coaches have had a ton of success lately. The following coaches won division titles in their second season coaching in the SEC...Gene Chizik, Urban Meyer, Mark Richt and Nick Saban (twice) in the last ten years. Half the conference titles have been won by second year guys since 2002.

Add in the fact that the East schedule is very friendly to the Vols...an early trip to the Swamp (better get them early), road games at Kentucky and Vanderbilt to go along with visits from Georgia and South Carolina.

Derek Dooley has learned from two legendary SEC coaches, his father Vince and Nick Saban. Don’t sleep on Tennessee yet, SEC fan.


David Sweigart: Jadeveon Clowney will have double digit sacks.

Four years ago, Jadeveon Clowney would of signed to South Carolina and been expected to become the starting defensive end the minute he stepped on campus. Fast forward to 2011, and Clowney is just trying to play his role on a defensive front that led the SEC in sacks in 2010 and returns 91% of the 41 sacks accumulated last season.

The 6’6 Clowney is reportedly up to 262 pounds. To quote defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson, “He’s done super one-on-one. They very seldom block him one-on-one.” If he did later finish the sentence with, “...but he had two offsides today.” Freshmen.

The coaches and players glowingly talk about the immense talent Clowney possesses, but are quick to note that he is very much still learning the playbook and how to properly execute it. Despite a freakish first step and long wingspan, going offsides is one thing defensive line coach Brad Lawing will not tolerate.

When the games start, South Carolina will trot out one of - if not THE - the best defensive lines in the SEC, and it won't have Clowney. It'll be led by defensive end Devin Taylor (a first team ALL-SEC selection), defensive tackle Travian Robertson, and defensive end Melvin Ingram, who led USC in sacks in 2010.

Ingram is actually the leading sack artist returning in the SEC. It is also worth noting that Robertson and Ingram are fifth year seniors and Taylor is a fourth year junior.

Because of the depth SC has coming back, Clowney will not be asked to be a full time defensive end for 60+ snaps a game. Instead, the Gamecocks will be able to keep him fresh and have plans to line him up all over the field...not just opposite the left tackle.

The fact that offenses have to pay attention to Taylor-Robertson-and Ingram will free up Clowney to chase the QB. When Clowney is lined up at defensive end, Ingram can slide in to play defensive tackle and that is actually the position he logged most of his sacks from in 2010.

All in all, the Gamecocks pass rush should make opposing quarterbacks stay up late at night. The expectations for Clowney are huge; because of the great situation he finds himself stepping in to as a true freshman, Clowney will be rested and sent from all directions to get the quarterback. As a result, he will produce a double digit sack line in 2011. (It is worth noting that only two players, Nick Fairley and Justin Houston, had double digit sacks in 2010 in the SEC.)

With teams keying on Devin Taylor and Melvin Ingram at defensive end while also looking to test a gamecock secondary that was vulnerable to the big play in the passing game, Clowney will find no shortage of opportunities to make plays.


Please follow Russ Mitchell on Twitter @russmitchellsec, Brian Harbach @harbabd, Gabe Harris @gpharris Barrett Sallee @barrettsallee and David Sweigart @DMS225.


SEC Bloggers: 5 Bold Predictions, Part I
SEC Bloggers: 5 Thoughts On the Loss of Knile Davis
SEC Bloggers: 5 Thoughts on LSU's Kragthorpe
SEC Bloggers: Preseason All-SEC Team
SEC Bloggers: 5 Thoughts on DBs
SEC Bloggers: 5 Thoughts on LBs
SEC Bloggers: 5 Thoughts on DL
SEC Bloggers: 5 Thoughts on OL
SEC Bloggers: 5 Thoughts on WRs
SEC Bloggers: 5 Thoughts on RBs
SEC Bloggers: 5 Thoughts on QBs
SEC Bloggers: NFL Draft Review
SEC Bloggers: 5 Thoughts On Janoris Jenkins
SEC Bloggers: 5 Thoughts On UK’s Spring
SEC Bloggers: Stephen Garcia, Winning!
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