2010 SEC East champion

Mark it down. I am calling it here. right now. (sorry jon if i jinx ya). South Carolina will win the SEC East in 2010.

Really? South Carolina? The same south carolina that has won 8 games in a season about 8 times? The same south carolina whose coach's .560 winning percentage makes him one of the winningest coaches in south carolina history? The same south carolina that has never sniffed a trip to atlanta and has one conference championship (1969 ACC) in its more than 100 years of football.

Yes. That South Carolina.

Let me rephrase my original sentence. South Carolina will not LOSE the SEC east in 2010. The difference? I don't think any of the other teams are going to do enough to win it. South Carolina may still lose a couple of close games they should win, but the SEC east WILL be won by a team with at least 2 losses.

First lets take a look at the other teams in the east.

Florida: Oh my Gators may have another 2007 ahead of them come next august. They will lose 3 starters on offense to graduation (including one of the best college football players of all time and their top wide receiver) and could lose up to 3 more to the NFL draft. The defense WILL lose all of their starting linebackers and one DE, with the possibility for another 4 players to leave for the draft. thats potential for 14 starters to be gone from next years squad. combine that with a schedule that includes away games at Alabama, Tennessee, Florida State, plus home games against the gamecocks, south florida, and LSU.
Determining Factor: Can a young defense step up and fill the void left by so many departures, and can another new crop of receivers step up to help out John Brantley.
Prediction: 9-3. Losses to Alabama, South Carolina, and Florida State (streak won't last forever, and Ponder is a baller).

Georgia: My how the dogs have fallen off their pedestal. They were flying high after their "incredible" run to end 2007. Lets break down this "historic" run. It began after the Dogs were humiliated by Tennessee to fall to 4-2. Then they beat Vanderbilt, which led to a team celebration on Vanderbilt's logo. Yes. Vandy. Then they had another cute team celebration the next week when they carved up a defense that was giving up almost 30 points a game. In their final 5 games, they would beat 3 teams that lost 5 games or more, and one more that lost 4. This run is what catapulted them to a preseason number one ranking, which they quickly lost due to sub par performances against lesser teams, and ultimately lost three games to become the worst AP preseason #1 in more than 20 years. This year has been a complete meltdown for the Dogs. Their issues have come from inconsistent quarterback play, and just plain bad defense. They need to win against tech just to avoid finishing .500, which isn't going to happen. They only lose two starters on offense (Joe Cox and WR Mike Moore), but they do lose 4 starters on D and potentially their leader, Rennie Curran, to the draft. But who knows, maybe Aaron Murray comes in lights out and the defense is rejuvenated under a new coordinator. I don't see it happening.
Determining Factor: Quarterback play, offensive line, progression on defense.
Prediction: 7-5. losses at USC, Arkansas, Florida, at Auburn, Georgia Tech

Tennessee: the fighting kiffins have definitely improved thanks more to lane's father monte moreso than anything kiffin has done. The offense has been better than the previous year, but that may all change going into next season. The vols lose a whopping 8 starters to graduation, including 4 offensive lineman and both of their scholarship quarterbacks. They have a solid group of lineman and wrs committed to go along with freshman running backs oku and brown, but you just simply don't lose that much and still be competitive. combine that with the loss of 6 defensive starters and it could be back to the drawing board for the volunteers. also, whoever made the schedule needs to be shot. home games against oregon, florida, ole miss and alabama. away games at georgia, south carolina, and LSU. ridiculous.
determining factor: new offensive line, who plays quarterback?, defensive progression
prediction:6-6. losses to georgia, florida, usc, alabama, oregon, and lsu. and that might be generous.

Kentucky and Vandy: nope. sorry boys. i just don't see a possibility for either team to break through. unless UK finds a way to beat one of the big 3 other than UGA (which hasn't happened in over 20 years) then they will not breakthrough.

Meanwhile. here is what South Carolina is looking at...

South Carolina: return everyone on offense with the exception of their center and one wr. The emergence of alshon jefferies definitely diminishes the effect of losing moe brown. they also have a great OL class coming in, so that will add depth and talent to the OL, something Spurrier has not experienced in his time in columbia. On defense they do lose 3 studs, one in each section, in nathan pepper, eric norwood, and darian stewart. But talented davonte hollomon and tony straughter will step in for stewart and norwood. Commit Kelcy Quarles, #2 defensive tackle in the nation, could come in immediately and play next to ladi ajiboye at DT.

So all in all, USC returns 18 starters. They have one of the most talented teams they have ever had, and are FINALLY getting some consistent quarterback play. Stephen Garcia should only get better and better, and these recruiting classes are finally beginning to bear some fruit. What does that lead to? Spurrier's first ever sweep of the BIG 3 in the SEC east.
determining factor: stephen garcia's continued development, consistent OL play, building depth.
prediction: 10-2. losses at auburn, alabama.