Van’s 2007 SEC Preview

If you’re wanting behind the scenes info and in-depth analysis of players across the board in the SEC, there are any number of places you can go for that stuff. I’m not gonna give you that.

Instead, I am going to do what I always do—rely on my three decades of closely following the various programs of the SEC—in order to provide my gut instinct; my own unique and admittedly Auburn-centric insights (such as they are) into how I think the upcoming season of football in the SEC will go.

First, the SEC EAST

Today: TENNESSEE

The Vols have sort of settled, in the years after their 1998 MNC, into being 1992 Auburn minus the scandal that pushes the coach out the door. (Maybe Fulmer can’t fit through the door? --ed.) They have talent, they have some accomplished coaches on the staff, and they have tons of money and fan support.

So why haven’t they won more?

(Does this mean all they need is Terry Bowden?? --ed.) (Let's not get crazy, here. --Van)

Why have they failed to really threaten for a title of any sort in a number of years?

Search me.

But my standard rule when predicting what will happen with football (at any level) is “You have to show me something this year, before I will give you the benefit of the doubt next year.” It’s a good rule.

For example, it caused me to pick against Buffalo in all four of their Super Bowls, and it causes me to pick Florida every single year against Georgia.

So—UT might truly have a breakout year in 2007. The pieces are in place. But will they? Will I predict that they will, based only upon potential and possibilities? Heck, no.

Here’s how I break down their 2007 schedule:

At Cal: I totally called UT putting a beating on Cal last year, though the severity of the beat-down did surprise me. The Bears limped back to Berkeley so sore and bruised they lacked even the energy to protest the war or put flowers in rifle barrels. Heck, they could barely even move their fingers to flash a “peace” sign. But this year may be a little bit different. The Vols go to the Left Coast and the Golden ones will be a little more comfortable in their own house. UT still wins, but not as badly as last time.
UT 23 Cal 16

Southern Miss: Ahh, the “almost” team of all time. Southern Miss. Minus the Favre years, they’ve never quite accomplished anything of note, aside from scaring a number of more established teams to death. USM’s approach to football is so conservative, they make Dick Cheney seem like Dennis Kucinich. To be fair, they do what they have to do, to give the team the best chance to win, given their general level of talent. But I’ve seen nothing out of USM’s dull, stodgy gameplans the past few years to indicate they can waltz into the big orange house and pull out a win.
UT 30 USM 17

At Florida: I’m going to keep this short and sweet: Florida seems to find a way to win this game, more often than not. It’s in the Swamp this year. (Do they still call it that?) And I think Tebow’s going to do just fine.
UF 20 UT 13

Arkansas State: As if.
UT 45 ASU 9

Georgia: The Dawgs come to Neyland but they are not intimidated there, of late. It seems like the team that usually needs this win finds a way to lose it. 2004 comes to mind, for example. UT needs this game to stay in the race after dropping the Gator-fest. Sadly for them, they won’t get it.
UGA 23 UT 20

At Mississippi State: Sly Croom has an upset a’brewin’ for 2007. I’m sure of it. Will this be it? MMMMmmmmmmmm no.
UT 31 MSU 10

At Alabama: I’m sure the media will play this up just as much as they will every other “Saban vs ____” game this season (Saban vs Fulmer; Saban vs Miles; Saban vs Tuberville; you get the idea). Alabama has a way of doing well in this game, when least expected—I’m thinking of Stallings and the 9-6 debacle a few years back, as well as Curry beating UT in ’89. But UT has Alabama’s number of late, more often than not.
UT 20 UA 16

South Carolina: Here’s your upset special. Spurrier knows UT and knows how to beat them. He came close last year and this time he’ll get it done. The Zaxby Boys come into Knoxville and take care of business.
USC 24 UT 21

UL-Lafayette: UT will be angry from their loss to the Chikins. The Ragin’ Cajuns will get scalped smoother than James Carville.
UT 52 UL-L 13

Arkansas: No one knows what to expect from Arkansas this year, aside from McFadden left, McFadden right, and Felix Jones on the change-up. The game’s in Knoxville. The Hogs have been the definition of a team in turmoil in the offseason. But by this point in the year, they should have things running more smoothly. Plus they’ll want revenge for last year’s thumping.
UT 20 Ark 18

Vanderbilt: Only once in an age of the world does Vandy win this game. They already accomplished that feat two years back, so the next time they manage it, we’ll all be driving flying cars and have summer homes on the Moon.
UT 31 Vandy 20

At Kentucky: Oooooh, watch out! The Cats are supposedly for real, this year! They have “upset special” written all over their team bus. The game’s in Lexington. The Vols will be down at this point about being eliminated from the SEC Championship Game. Everything favors UK. Even so—I just can’t pull the trigger on it.
UT 31 UK 27

Final record: 9-3

Howzabout a nice trip to the Outback Bowl for the big orange polyester squad this year?

Next up: Florida