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Alabama…junior offensive tackle James Carpenter. Well, we all saw what happened the last time Alabama had to replace Andre Smith. Now we see the long version with a new season starting. And Carpenter’s going to be thrown right into the fire in week one against Virginia Tech’s stalwart defensive line, led by end Jason Worilds.
Arkansas…sophomore quarterback Ryan Mallett. It’s the easy answer, but that’s reality – all eyes of the Razorback nation will be on the 6-7 Michigan transfer. People are assuming he’ll make the seamless transition to Bobby Petrino’s offense and make Arkansas a force in the SEC this season. But he hasn’t started a game in two years and his last significant action at Michigan wasn’t exactly anything to brag about. A rent-a-win is the time to make a statement that those expectations are apt.
Auburn … freshman receiver Deangelo Benton. He’s running first team on an Auburn squad that hasn’t had a game-breaker outside since Courtney Taylor. At 6-3 and 210 pounds, Benton has the build and the maturity (2009 marked his third try at making the NCAA academic requirements), plus the physical attitude needed to have a major impact quickly. After all, somebody’s gotta catch the passes, right?
Florida…sophomore receiver Deonte Thompson. With the loss of freshman Andre Debose to a hamstring injury, Florida may lean on Thompson now to fill the winged shoes of Percy Harvin as the offense’s designated big-play passing threat.
Georgia…sophomore running back Richard Samuel. The 230-pounder has the starting job locked up, and is going to have to prove to opposing defenses he can keep a safety in the box and away from bracketing A.J. Green. If Georgia is going to spoil Oklahoma State’s national break-out season, it’s going to take a power running game keeping the dangerous Cowboy offense off the field.
Kentucky…sophomore receiver Randall Cobb. Offensively, there isn’t a whole lot about Kentucky worth watching except for Cobb. He’s a larger version of Ole Miss’ Dexter McCluster, an excellent open-field runner. He even takes some snaps at quarterback.
LSU …sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson. This is a gimme. If there is one player LSU’s fate is tied to, that player is Jefferson. Will the momentum wave he’s been riding since last December drown the Huskies? Washington may not be the stiffest of tests, but a long road trip to a hostile environment makes this a little tougher than the average cupcake opener.
Mississippi State…senior quarterback Tyson Lee. The quarterback is the key in Dan Mullen’s offense, and Lee’s performance will probably be the determining factor in just how rough of a transition the Bulldogs have to make from the pro-style offense (or whatever it was supposed to be called) of Sylvester Croom to the Florida-style spread of Mullen.
Ole Miss …senior cornerbacks Marshay Green and Cassius Vaughn. Corner was a trouble spot for the Rebels last year, and is going to have to improve if they plan on competing for a BCS bowl game in 2009. These two will get big test in week one, literally, from Memphis – the Tiger starting receivers go 6-3, 6-4 and 6-8.
South Carolina…freshman running back Jarvis Giles. The biggest thing South Carolina needs to take out of Thursday’s season opener with NC State is a sense of enthusiasm. There’s been a moribund fog over the program for two years now, as they keep striving to take the next step out of mediocrity. Giles, expected to get some significant playing time this year, could give Gamecock fans a reason for optimism with a good week one.
Tennessee…junior receiver/tight end Brandon Warren. No team has the questions Tennessee has entering their season opener, but one hole that’s only gotten bigger this summer with injuries is wide receiver. With Austin Rogers, Gerald Jones and Denarius Moore sidelined with injuries, Warren has the opportunity to step up and be the reliable target that unreliable quarterback Jonathan Crompton desperately needs. Warren’s talent has never been a question – just whether he will take advantage of it.
Vanderbilt...sophomore quarterback Larry Smith. If Vanderbilt is going to make it two bowl-game seasons in a row, they can’t count on catching so many breaks and getting by with atrocious offensive play again. And if there’s going to be any offensive improvement in 2009, Smith will play a big role in it. A good start to the season can help out any QB.