College Football SEC Preview: Alabama Set to Repeat

The Crimson Tide enter 2010 without the bulk of the defense that won the BCS National Championship in January but Al Dannity likes Alabama to win the SEC in 2010.

Mixed bag in the East
Florida remains the favorite to come out on top in a division which has undergone massive change in recent times. Tennessee enters 2010 with its third coach in as many years. Derek Dooley has the potential to succeed in Knoxville but the bar has been set pretty low this year. Nobody expects a bowl trip from the Vols, in fact a 6-6 record would probably earn Dooley SEC Coach of the year honors. Tennessee should at least be able to count on Vanderbilt to finish below them. The Commodores have a new coach at the helm, with Robbie Caldwell filling in for the sudden departure of Bobby Johnson.

There’s a new face in Kentucky as well with Joker Phillips replacing Rich Brooks. Two old heads remain in charge at South Carolina and Georgia, where Steve Spurrier and Mark Richt will look at 2010 as a year where Florida could be vulnerable. The Gators are certainly far from immortal but the upgrades by the Gamecocks and Bulldogs still don’t look adequate to remove them from the top of the pile in the East this year.

Alabama best of offense-loaded west
Gene Chizik and Bobby Petrino stewarded two of the biggest offensive turnarounds in recent SEC history last season. Petrino has turned Arkansas into a passing juggernaut thanks to the play of Ryan Mallett under center. Chizik success in changing Auburn’s moribund offense into one of the hottest tickets in the SEC West was thanks in large part to the work of offensive guru Gus Malzahn. The Hogs and Tigers will be fun to watch in 2010.

Alabama is far from shabby on offense and, despite being forced to reload, should still have a stout defense. I haven’t even got to Houston Nutt yet, who will have transfer Jeremiah Masoli at his disposal to run the Wild Rebel. This should all give LSU head coach Les Miles plenty to think about in 2010. LSU remains a powerful outfit but Miles is on the hot seat as he faces a schedule loaded with challenges for his defense.

Tide will roll
Alabama finally found its identity on offense towards the end of 2009 and it wasn’t a moment too soon as this defense will need time to adjust in the early part of 2010. By the time the Tide hit conference play I like Alabama to be firing on all cylinders, ready for another charge towards the BCS title game. That should include two re-matches with Florida. The first will take place in Tuscaloosa during the regular season and then another meeting I expect another clash of the SEC powers for the conference title game. I like Alabama to come out on top in both these games. Bet on Alabama to claim a second straight SEC Championship at +100 with Sports Interaction.

XXXVIII: Gabriel Morency previews the start of the NCAA Football season

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