Here are a few Sports Network Previews of the 2007 SEC West teams (we’ve already discussed the Alabama preview.) I’ll add my thoughts following each preview. You need Flash installed to read the previews. I’ll add the SEC East teams early this week for your reading pleasure.

Auburn preview thoughts:

Auburn’s biggest question on offense is the line. In any league, the line is the key. If their players can protect Brandon Cox, it could be a good season for the Auburn quaterback. On defense, Auburn returns Quentin Groves who notched 9.5 sacks last year (Alabama as a team only had 13 last year.) Auburn is weakest on special teams, which was something I pointed out during the summer. It is going to be difficult for Auburn to win defensive battles this season unless the kickers play up to last season’s level. I don’t expect to see that.

Arkansas preview thoughts:

Houston Nutt is a better coach than most give him credit for. His teams seem inconsistent being up one year and down the next; however, that is Arkansas. The talent varies greatly year-to-year. It isn’t one of the top jobs in the nation. This could be a good season for the Razorbacks because they have a great running game led by superstar Darren McFadden. You can also expect to see improvement in the passing game this year. I wasn’t a fan of the high school coach and getting rid of him will work out nicely for Nutt and company. The Sports Network says an SEC title is within reach. Certainly, a divisional title is provided LSU stumbles.

Mississippi (Ole Miss) thoughts:

The biggest clown in the south just happens to be head coach of the Rebels. Both Ole Miss and Miss State have quarterback questions—really big quarterback questions. You need to be able to complete passes a few times a game, and neither team has shown the ability to do that consistently.




Mississippi State thoughts:

The terse review of the 2006 season was summed up in this line: “Head coach Sylvester Croom has done little during his brief tenure to restore the program to prominence.” It is open to debate where State is headed, but other than beating Alabama last year, did anything go right for the Bulldogs? Can they get five wins? I don’t know. Croom may surprise us all.

LSU preview thoughts:

LSU has so much talent the only question is how much will coach Les Miles screw it up? One or two losses probably. LSU should win the division anyway because no other team is close at the moment in terms of talent.