Depth in SEC will end conference's title run

Ross Johnson

Published Saturday, July 12, 2008

For every SEC fan, an opposing team from our beloved conference winning a national title is bittersweet. When Florida and LSU hoisted the crystal ball amidst falling confetti at the end of the past two seasons, fans of each opposing school were jealous.

Fear not, SEC fans. No opposing team will win the national title this season.

The preseason prognosticators have already deemed Florida and Georgia legitimate national title contenders, with LSU and Auburn as dark horses to win the conference and sneak into Miami. However, each team has glaring question marks and a schedule that would make any team — including Southern California, Oklahoma and Ohio State — have at least two losses.

Unless the circumstances are similar to 2007 when LSU backed its way in with two losses, no SEC team will reach the national title game.

Florida is probably the team most likely to get to the BCS Championship game with its onslaught of offensive playmakers and experienced defense. However, road trips to Tennessee and Arkansas along with the showdown with Georgia and home game against LSU will make for at least one loss. They can’t sleep on an under-the-radar South Carolina team at home or the road test against rival Florida State, either.

Surprisingly, Georgia is the contender least likely to make a national title run. The Bulldogs return plenty of talent, but they have had targets on their backs since the 2007 season ended. Arizona State — not to mention every conference opponent — will be gunning to shut down Matthew Stafford and company. There are at least two losses in the road trips to Columbia, Tempe, Baton Rouge, Jacksonville, Lexington and Auburn. Home dates against Tennessee and Alabama won’t be easy either.

LSU is way under the radar. Although the Tigers have a tough road slate — at Auburn, Florida, South Carolina and Arkansas — if the team holds serve at home and goes 3-1 in road contests, it could find itself in a very familiar position compared to last year.

Auburn has several personnel questions, but if things fall Tommy Tuberville’s way the Tigers could be looking at a big season. Aside from contests at West Virginia and Alabama, the toughest games are at home. The home-field advantage, however, won’t matter if the team doesn’t find a capable commander of Tony Franklin’s offense.

The crystal ball won’t be given to an SEC team this year, but consider that a compliment to the conference’s depth and talent at each school.

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