2014-15 Football Previews – (SEC) – Crimson Tide
Alabama was its usual powerhouse self in 2013, except for a damning collapse at the end of the season – a loss to in-state nemesis Auburn and a Sugar Bowl loss to Oklahoma.
Alabama was its usual powerhouse self in 2013, except for a damning collapse at the end of the season – a loss to in-state nemesis Auburn and a Sugar Bowl loss to Oklahoma.
It kind of sucks to be Arkansas starting QB Brandon Allen. His gradual ascendance to the starting job in Fayetteville coincided with the receiver talent evaporating at the program and the run-first philosophy of coach Bret Bielema. Allen also battled a shoulder ailment for a good chunk of the 2013 season.
The combination of the continuity of the Les Miles coaching regime and the recruiting hotbed that is the Louisiana-east Texas area always has the cupboards well-stocked in Baton Rouge. Whether you’re making a gumbo or assembling a football team, that is a desirable position to be in.
The job of second-year head coach Mike Stoops is primarily to build the excitement and buzz of a football program belonging to an unabashed basketball school – and in a cutthroat conference at that.
Rising up in the SEC is very difficult. Since head coach Dan Mullen came to campus he has had a high level of success at a school that really isn’t accustomed to it, but they still haven’t broken through.
Ole Miss finished strong last season winning both their annual battle with Mississippi State and their bowl game against Pittsburgh, creating a feeling of confidence heading into the 2013 season.
Auburn had a staggering fall last season to a season of zero wins in the SEC and a 3-9 overall record. The performance, or lack thereof, cost coach Gene Chizik his job and it is hard to believe that this program won a national title within the last recruiting cycle.
Last year was a disaster of a season for Arkansas. They followed up an offseason of upheaval with a season that included embarrassing performances against Alabama and Texas A&M – getting outscored 108-10 – as well as a loss to Louisiana-Monroe of the Sun Belt.
Ever since Alabama rose to the top of the SEC West, and the nation, LSU has been forced to take a backseat…and they don’t like it. These two teams have waged some great battles over the last few seasons but the majority of the time Alabama has come out on top so they have grabbed the spoils.
In some ways writing about Alabama is hard because there isn’t much to write that hasn’t already been written. Yes they are the two time defending national champs (3 in 4 years). Yes they have one of the best coaches in America (Nick Saban).
Things did not go swimmingly for Missouri in their first tour of the SEC last season as they dealt with injuries and poor performance overall. They were able to notch only two conference victories against the bottom of the SEC East, Tennessee and Kentucky.
It has been awhile since there was any reason to be excited about Kentucky football but with the hire of Mark Stoops as head coach they may have finally found someone who can get the program back to some level of sustained success.
South Carolina enjoyed another very good season last year, finishing 11-2 after a bowl win for the second year in a row. Even though coach Steve Spurrier is known as an offensive genius it is defense that leads this club and they are led by the most dynamic defensive player in the nation – Jadeveon Clowney.
Georgia has been very good over the last decade but never really able to break through in a big way. Maybe this year is the year they can, led by a senior QB captaining an offense that should be among the best in the conference and the nation.
Vanderbilt amazingly finished last season 9-4, the most wins they have had since 1915. The team finished on a 7 game winning streak and it was a very exciting season in Nashville.
There was a lot of criticism of the Florida Gators last year for struggling against some weaker teams on their but they finished 11-2 including a win against Texas A&M and Johnny Manziel. The success was primarily thanks to a top 5 defense as the Gators haven’t really been able to get their offense on track since QB Tim Tebow graduated.