How the West Will Be Won

[numbersman]

The SEC West has a lot of question marks going into 2005. Will AU dominate once again? Will LSU hit its stride? Will Brodie be able to run a well-oiled machine or will he be the missing part once again? Will MSU be well-groomed for Croom? Will Ole Miss find the right combinations? Will Arkansas replace the Jolly Green flying machine?

Let's face it. All of the prognosticators in the football world can only say that this year the west is as wide-open as it has been in a while. Where there is a multitude of talent, there are holes at key positions and new systems to be learned.

Although I am Crimson through and through, my guess doesn't put Bama at the top. Why:

1) O line too new.

2) RB's too thin.

3) AU on the road.

My positive picks for the West:

1) AU will find a way to take the west, but not unscatherd. They will lose to LSU.

2) Bama will only lose to AU, but that will knock them off the top.

3) LSU will lose to UA and Fla.

4) Rest:

Ark
MSU
Ole Miss

This is a pretty wild pick, but I think Bama will play AU for the title and find their D too tough and AU's offense will sputter but prevail.

If this happens I know we won't be happy after the game, but we won't be down either.

RTR

 

[drsmithofga]

Its a three team dogfight. If you lose to LSU, you're out of the game. If you win, you're probably going to Atlanta. Of course you can't nutshell the SEC, but I think its a reasonable theory.

 

[CapstoneTider]

A healthy Croyle will rise to the occasion.

 

[tidefan23]

AU has a new QB and backfield. No way that they will win the west. Two years ago they were one of the worst teams. Now, after one year, they deserve respect? Please.

 

[CrimsonVan]

2nd to LSU.

 

[GoBama#1]

Second to LSU. AU will take 3rd. New backfield and QB will cost them. LSU has enough talent to ride it to the west title.

 

[ham2265]

2nd is good for the tide.

I going with LSU but I'm not comfortable with it. Miles is a new coach and although OC Fisher stayed on, there will still be some kinks to work out. HC Miles has never had the expectations of alumni on him like he already has at LSU. Unfortuantly for the rest of the west, he also has an insane amount of talent on this team. With that being said, I think the west, and the entire sec for that matter, is a wide open as it has been in a while. With the exception of Kentucky, every team has a realistic shot at beating anyone on any given saturday. And now that I think of it, UK gave UT all they wanted an then some last year....anyway, with a healthy TIDE, i could definatly see us in atlanta come December. But that's what everybody is saying. Even if croyle gets hurt, we shouldn't be as bad on offence this year (JPW should be prepared). Anyway, here's how I see it playing out: Bama beats the BARN, but loses to UT and LSU yet again
AU - Beats UT, but loses to us and LSU
LSU - Loses to ut and beats the rest........
That being said, we CAN win every game this year, health being the major concern (and not just at QB). I can't wait until Aug. gets here, I'm starving for Bama Football!!!! RollTide.

 

[GoBama#1]

I going with LSU but I'm not comfortable with it. Miles is a new coach and although OC Fisher stayed on, there will still be some kinks to work out. HC Miles has never had the expectations of alumni on him like he already has at LSU. Unfortuantly for the rest of the west, he also has an insane amount of talent on this team. With that being said, I think the west, and the entire sec for that matter, is a wide open as it has been in a while. With the exception of Kentucky, every team has a realistic shot at beating anyone on any given saturday. And now that I think of it, UK gave UT all they wanted an then some last year....anyway, with a healthy TIDE, i could definatly see us in atlanta come December. But that's what everybody is saying. Even if croyle gets hurt, we shouldn't be as bad on offence this year (JPW should be prepared). Anyway, here's how I see it playing out: Bama beats the BARN, but loses to UT and LSU yet again
AU - Beats UT, but loses to us and LSU
LSU - Loses to ut and beats the rest........
That being said, we CAN win every game this year, health being the major concern (and not just at QB). I can't wait until Aug. gets here, I'm starving for Bama Football!!!! RollTide.

Auburn does not play UT this season unless its in Atlanta. There is no UT/AU regular season game scheduled.

AU's schedule

Sept. 3 Georgia Tech Auburn TBA
Sept. 10 Mississippi State Auburn TBA
Sept. 17 Ball State Auburn TBA
Sept. 24 Western Kentucky Auburn TBA
Oct. 1 South Carolina Auburn TBA
Oct. 15 Arkansas Fayetteville, AR TBA
Oct. 22 LSU Baton Rouge, LA TBA
Oct. 29 Ole Miss Auburn TBA
Nov. 5 Kentucky Lexington, KY TBA
Nov. 12 Georgia Athens, GA TBA
Nov. 19 Alabama Auburn

 

[Probius]

The fact we are going to the barn is a good thing, we have played them better down there than in T-town. The barn is down this year with a brand new starting backfield. Their defense will still be good, but not as dominating as it was last season due to the loss of Rogers and the safety that put the dirty hit on Reggie Brown last season (I can't remember his name.) Losing a shut down corner like Rogers will hurt the barn significantly. LSU, under a new coach and still issues at quarterback, will be down. And as for Arkansas, Ole Miss, and MSU; well does anyone count any of these three teams as a contender for anything? I am not saying it is a lock, but there is no reason why Bama shouldn't be in Atlanta come December. Roll Tide Roll.

 

[TideFaninFl]

Bama's season.....

If Brodie reamains healthly, or if the backups are ready to play, and Bama has no other crippling injuries (like losing it's starting backfield again....) The Bama has 6 wins in the bag..... the other LSU, UT, and UF are at home..... Bama wins all three...... Bama is not without talent, albeit young...UT game is won on D, with the O not making mistakes that allow Bama to lose, the UF game is won on O (time of possession), as I do not think that the new UF O can move down the entire length of the field, and the LSU game is won as a complete team (and the added bonus of the bad call last year) ....

The USC game might be a problem as SOS is a tricky coach.....the AU game is a tossup, as they always are (no matter how good or bad the other team is or has been, they are always close), but right now AU has the slight advantage... these are the two games Bama might truly lose.... maybe not, so...9-2, or 10-1

If Brodie gets hurt and the injuries pile up again, then 6-7 wins total......

either way, Bama gets better for next year, and is 1-2 years away from another NC

 

[drsmithofga]

Can't say that I'm quite up to Tidefaninfl's level of optimism, but very hopeful nonetheless. 8-3 is where I see this team, with one win coming from the UF/UT/AU/LSU gauntlet. More are certainly possible, but I'm trying to maintain a certain degree of realism. UF has a similar offensive situation with a good QB/RB/WR lineup, and a bit shaky on the O-line. They expect their defense to be tough except for the DBs (they have one really good one). The AU game is expected to be competitive this year, which is certainly not true every year. LSU and UT games will take a strong performance with both being highly regarded. It would take a brave man to put down money on winning all four. Hope it happens, but I certainly won't be betting.

 

[bamapeppy]

AU's schedule
Sept. 3 Georgia Tech Auburn TBA
Sept. 10 Mississippi State Auburn TBA
Sept. 17 Ball State Auburn TBA
Sept. 24 Western Kentucky Auburn TBA
Oct. 1 South Carolina Auburn TBA
Oct. 15 Arkansas Fayetteville, AR TBA
Oct. 22 LSU Baton Rouge, LA TBA
Oct. 29 Ole Miss Auburn TBA
Nov. 5 Kentucky Lexington, KY TBA
Nov. 12 Georgia Athens, GA TBA
Nov. 19 Alabama Auburn

The cow tippers could easily roll into Baton Rouge at 6-0. I am wondering how they will act against GT. They could just as easy start off with a loss or two.

Bama is due some good luck. If it wasn't for bad luck we would have no luck at all over the last few seasons. With our sechedule we could go 7-4 or 10-1. Hard to tell this early.

You guys know which team in the SEC West has the most continuity in their coaching staff?

Alabama. Every other team has a new HC or at least some new assistants.

 

[red55]

Bama does have the starters to win the West, especially with LSU at home. But it takes depth to win the SEC and a few key injuries could run Bama's season. Shula is another top recruiting year or two from a championship run.

Auburn has the players and the confidence coming off an undefeated season. But they will have a bigger drop-off than they expect with a green quarterback, as LSU found out last year. They also won't replace Brown and Williams.

LSU has a new coach, but he kept Jimbo Fisher and last years offense and terminology. 17 starters return. LSU is at least two-deep in SEC-caliber talent at all positions except the kickers and has Tennessee, Auburn, and Florida at home.

Three of the strongest defenses in the country play in the West Division of the SEC this year. Whoever solves its offensive issues quickly wins the West. I'm going with LSU's depth.

1 -- LSU
2 -- Auburn
3 -- Bama
4 -- Arkansas
5 -- Ole Miss
6 -- State

 

[drsmithofga]

A problem that LSU will have to contend with is at the QB position. Russell and the new kid, along with Flynn, have loads of ability, but no proven leadership at the SEC level. With the quality of defenses the SEC will showcase this fall, the teams with a solid veteran QB may make the difference. LSU should be tough, but they should have been better last year. Bama stands a strong chance this year if we can simply get Brodie to the end of the year. JPW is no slouch, but with the defenses of UT, UF, AU, and LSU this year, better to have the seasoned veteran around. Beating a dead horse, but I want JPW to gain alot of SEC experience this year. However, as most agree, Brodie is our difference maker.

 

[luvthat_TIDE]

How the West will be Won?

Simple, beat everybody else and don't look back.

 

[BamaFanTraeInGeorgia]

On top!

With a healthy Croyle, We finish on top of the west and meet UCheat in Atlanta. Our O-line will be the ones responsible for keeping Croyle healthy, and while this may seem like a daunting challenge, I feel this will fall into place.

LSU will be our heaviest competition in the west. A new coach in Batin Rouge may be a big advantage for us (isn't it nice to say for us rather than for them, for a change!). Auburn lost too much power at key positions to be much of a threat and Ol Miss and Miss St are still Ol Miss and Miss St.

For the ones who don't believe in BAMA this year, remember that Coach Bryant said, "Offense wins games, defense wins championships." With that said, one look at BAMA's defense should give my statement all the support I need.

Trae

 

[BamaSkins]

...BAMA WILL determine who wins the west...

 

[Alanbama27]

I personally believe that Bama will be playing LSU for

the West! AU will win 7 or 8 games this year but lose to LSU, Georgia, Bama and could very easily lose to Georgia Tech in their opener putting Tubby back in the dog house with the fans before recovering to beat a bunch of junk. With that said, they better not look past Mississippi State as Sly will have those boys ready to play this year and while I do believe he'll struggle again, they'll beat somebody like they did Florida last year...lets just hope it's not us!

 

[TexasTideFan]

...BAMA WILL determine who wins the west...

Best quote yet. I think the first team to take out Bama stands the best chance to make it to Atlanta from the West. We have proven starters and the best defense in the SEC. That combination and a favorable home field schedule will make us the team to beat if we can stay healthy and our O-line can come together.

IMO, I think LSU is our only real hurdle and we get them at home, although recent history means that isn't an advantage for us at all. LSU has hordes of talent returning and I don't see them losing much with Miles as coach only because Jimbo Fisher is still the OC. If LSU doesn't implode with the QB situation, they are the best bet to make it. As for the Barn, I think they lost too much from last years team to make a serious run but as mentioned, they do play a light schedule and will probably be 6-0 with momentum heading into their matchup with LSU. I look for this game to be the first real test for both teams and the winner will be the frontrunner until both teams meet Bama in November. As for the rest of the West, I just can't see Ole Miss with a new coach, Arkansas without Matt Jones, and State without much of a team really doing much more than playing spoilers. But this is the SEC.

 

[ham2265]

Auburn does not play UT this season unless its in Atlanta. There is no UT/AU regular season game scheduled.

Fair enough...