I researched the depth charts of the SEC schools to see who will have the most questions to answer in the off-season. I have left Bama off this list since we have and will continue to discuss Bama extensively. If you simply want to compare numbers though, Alabama returns 8 players on O, 2-3 on D (depending on K. Jackson) and we must replace both the Tiffin and Fitzgerald.
1. Ole Miss: total loss of 15 starters
Ole Miss is losing almost all of its offense, especially considering the Snead has entered his name in the 2010 NFL Draft. Along with Snead, Nutt will have to replace his FB, 2 WRs (including McCluster), TE, 2 OG and his Center on offense. The 3 OL leaving have 9 varsity letters between them. On D Nutt also loses 9 varsity letters in one position with the departure of 3 members of the secondary. Add a LB and some DLs to the list and Nutt is badly in need of a great off-season and a successful recruiting period. Ole Miss may have missed their best chance to shine in the SEC West that they will have for a while in 2009. Ole Miss loses more starters than any other SEC team.
2. University of Florida: total loss of 10 starters
Florida loses the vast majority of its offensive production with the graduation of Tebow, Cooper and Nelson. Florida also loses the heart of its defense with Spikes leaving for the NFL. The greatest loss will obviously be Tebow. While Brantley may well be a fine QB, I doubt he will start off having the leadership ability Tebow brought to the team. Fortunately for UF, they have had great recruiting classes for several years and they should be able to fill those holes with talent.
The biggest question to answer will likely have to do with Urban Meyer and issues surrounding him rather than the players who return.
3. Tennessee: total loss of 14 starters
UT also has to replace a good bit of their O. QB, RB, WR, TE, OT and 2 OGs will all be new starters for the Vols in 2010. On D they lose 5 players...including their best all-around player, Eric Berry. If Kiffin can help the nice recruiting class he had last year mature while bringing in another above average class, he should have some talent with which to replace the losses.
4. LSU: total loss of 10 starters
LSU doesn't lose as many starters as UT or Ole Miss but they lose some of their best talent. Scott (RB) and LaFell (WR) are both leaving as is Ciron Black, the OT that has been a big force for them. A TE and OG also depart Baton Rouge. In addition to losing 4 starters on D, the Tigers are losing their return man, Holiday. LSU has had some good recruiting classes and should have some talent waiting in the wings but losing almost of of their starters may be a heavy load for Miles to bear...especially considering his knack for the absurd. A few key loses next year, especially if they are due to poor coaching, could warm up Miles' seat a good bit.
5. Kentucky: total loss of 10 starters
UK spreads their losses on D out pretty well. They lose 1 DL, 1 LB and 2 players in the secondary. However, the losses on O are mostly on the OL. They lose a TE, both OTs, a OG and their Center. They also lose their starting FB. I'm sure Joker would rather have a veteran OL with which to begin his career but that apparently wasn't in the cards. We will see how much an inexperienced OL effects his first season at the helm of the Wildcat program.
6. Vanderbilt: total loss of 12 starters
I'm not sure that it will matter to the SEC world but Vandy loses 6 on O and 4 on D. I can't bring myself to care too much about any of their losses. Sorry.
7. Mississippi State: total loss of 8 starters
Coach Mullin had an acceptable 1st year in Starkville. I think most Bulldog fans are looking forward to his tenure there. Mullin's biggest loss this year is that of Dixon. Dixon was the 2nd leading rusher in the SEC this year and his aggressive play will be missed. MSU also has to find a new QB. Lee threw 4 TDs last year to go with his 14 INTs. I am certain that Lee ended up on Mark Barron's Christmas Card List. The other losses should be minimal compared to the losses at QB and RB. Mullin will be off to a good start if he can find a QB that can see over the OL...when they are in their stances.
8. Auburn: total loss of 8 starters
Chizik has recruted some 5-star talent for his offensive backfield. That is really good for him since he losses his QB and RB. In those 2 loses Auburn loses over 80% of their offensive production from 2009.
Auburn also loses 2 of their most valuable defensive players in Coleman and McFadden. Auburn should have a fairly large increase in talent for 2010...they may be inexperienced but Chizik will have some talent with which to build on...of course, should he lose more than expected he could simply have enough rope with which to hang himself.
9. Georgia: total loss of 6 starters
UGA only loses 2 players on the offensive side of the ball while losing 4 on D. They lose both of their starting DTs but their most notable loss is that of QB, Cox. I don't know too many UGA fans who will cry over that loss too much but I suppose if Richt had someone better at that position, that person would have played.
10. Arkansas: total loss of 6 starters
Arkansas returns almost everyone that matters. They lose their RB, Smith but Petrino returns plenty of talent. Most notably, their QB Mallett will return. Though he started off very shaky in 2009, he finished the year very well.
11. South Carolina: total loss of 5 starters
I am not sure that most of the SEC will know that anyone other than Norwood has departed the team. If Spurrier ever had a chance to make some noise in the SEC east, 2010 may be that time. If USC tanks in 2010, with 17 players returning I assume that Spurrier will be looking for some nice place to retire. If he doesn't do better next year than last, I imagine many USC fans will offer to help him pack.
1. Ole Miss: total loss of 15 starters
Ole Miss is losing almost all of its offense, especially considering the Snead has entered his name in the 2010 NFL Draft. Along with Snead, Nutt will have to replace his FB, 2 WRs (including McCluster), TE, 2 OG and his Center on offense. The 3 OL leaving have 9 varsity letters between them. On D Nutt also loses 9 varsity letters in one position with the departure of 3 members of the secondary. Add a LB and some DLs to the list and Nutt is badly in need of a great off-season and a successful recruiting period. Ole Miss may have missed their best chance to shine in the SEC West that they will have for a while in 2009. Ole Miss loses more starters than any other SEC team.
2. University of Florida: total loss of 10 starters
Florida loses the vast majority of its offensive production with the graduation of Tebow, Cooper and Nelson. Florida also loses the heart of its defense with Spikes leaving for the NFL. The greatest loss will obviously be Tebow. While Brantley may well be a fine QB, I doubt he will start off having the leadership ability Tebow brought to the team. Fortunately for UF, they have had great recruiting classes for several years and they should be able to fill those holes with talent.
The biggest question to answer will likely have to do with Urban Meyer and issues surrounding him rather than the players who return.
3. Tennessee: total loss of 14 starters
UT also has to replace a good bit of their O. QB, RB, WR, TE, OT and 2 OGs will all be new starters for the Vols in 2010. On D they lose 5 players...including their best all-around player, Eric Berry. If Kiffin can help the nice recruiting class he had last year mature while bringing in another above average class, he should have some talent with which to replace the losses.
4. LSU: total loss of 10 starters
LSU doesn't lose as many starters as UT or Ole Miss but they lose some of their best talent. Scott (RB) and LaFell (WR) are both leaving as is Ciron Black, the OT that has been a big force for them. A TE and OG also depart Baton Rouge. In addition to losing 4 starters on D, the Tigers are losing their return man, Holiday. LSU has had some good recruiting classes and should have some talent waiting in the wings but losing almost of of their starters may be a heavy load for Miles to bear...especially considering his knack for the absurd. A few key loses next year, especially if they are due to poor coaching, could warm up Miles' seat a good bit.
5. Kentucky: total loss of 10 starters
UK spreads their losses on D out pretty well. They lose 1 DL, 1 LB and 2 players in the secondary. However, the losses on O are mostly on the OL. They lose a TE, both OTs, a OG and their Center. They also lose their starting FB. I'm sure Joker would rather have a veteran OL with which to begin his career but that apparently wasn't in the cards. We will see how much an inexperienced OL effects his first season at the helm of the Wildcat program.
6. Vanderbilt: total loss of 12 starters
I'm not sure that it will matter to the SEC world but Vandy loses 6 on O and 4 on D. I can't bring myself to care too much about any of their losses. Sorry.
7. Mississippi State: total loss of 8 starters
Coach Mullin had an acceptable 1st year in Starkville. I think most Bulldog fans are looking forward to his tenure there. Mullin's biggest loss this year is that of Dixon. Dixon was the 2nd leading rusher in the SEC this year and his aggressive play will be missed. MSU also has to find a new QB. Lee threw 4 TDs last year to go with his 14 INTs. I am certain that Lee ended up on Mark Barron's Christmas Card List. The other losses should be minimal compared to the losses at QB and RB. Mullin will be off to a good start if he can find a QB that can see over the OL...when they are in their stances.
8. Auburn: total loss of 8 starters
Chizik has recruted some 5-star talent for his offensive backfield. That is really good for him since he losses his QB and RB. In those 2 loses Auburn loses over 80% of their offensive production from 2009.
Auburn also loses 2 of their most valuable defensive players in Coleman and McFadden. Auburn should have a fairly large increase in talent for 2010...they may be inexperienced but Chizik will have some talent with which to build on...of course, should he lose more than expected he could simply have enough rope with which to hang himself.
9. Georgia: total loss of 6 starters
UGA only loses 2 players on the offensive side of the ball while losing 4 on D. They lose both of their starting DTs but their most notable loss is that of QB, Cox. I don't know too many UGA fans who will cry over that loss too much but I suppose if Richt had someone better at that position, that person would have played.
10. Arkansas: total loss of 6 starters
Arkansas returns almost everyone that matters. They lose their RB, Smith but Petrino returns plenty of talent. Most notably, their QB Mallett will return. Though he started off very shaky in 2009, he finished the year very well.
11. South Carolina: total loss of 5 starters
I am not sure that most of the SEC will know that anyone other than Norwood has departed the team. If Spurrier ever had a chance to make some noise in the SEC east, 2010 may be that time. If USC tanks in 2010, with 17 players returning I assume that Spurrier will be looking for some nice place to retire. If he doesn't do better next year than last, I imagine many USC fans will offer to help him pack.
