[Bamabeachlivin]

Though the LSU Tigers weren't a shoe-in for the SEC West title for 2008 by any stretch, the "experts" now must predict a more level playing field with Ryan Perrilloux's recent dismissal from the team. Everyone was calling for Auburn to be the darkhorse to win the West. Now that LSU has come back down to earth-- thanks to sub-par recruiting by head coach Les Miles (his recruits are being stolen all along the Gulf Coast by the Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida coaches)-- and Perrilloux's exit, Auburn, perhaps inexplicably, has become the favorite to win the West according to the "experts."
These notions are false. There is no favorite to win the West. There are four, that's right, four teams who could take the West crown. With the exception of Ole Miss and Arkansas, who will be in quick re-build mode, the race is as even as it has been this millennium. If you're keeping pace with this article, you're realizing that Mississippi State is included in this race. Neither the Bulldogs nor Auburn are darkhorse candidates to win the West because there is no darkhorse. The precise reason that a four-team season-long slugfest of unpredictability will occur is because every team knows the other is just as good as they themselves are. The team that answers the challenge week in and week out against SEC competition will be the team that prevails as the West champ. Let's look at each team's case.
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[Stoney]

Alabama:
The Crimson Tide spent last season learning two complex pro-style systems on offense and defense. They possessed talented players, but lacked any depth whatsoever. This season is different in the sense that they have increased exposure to the Saban schemes and philosophy along with added depth. The catch is that most of that depth comes in the form of the Freshmen that make up the nation's top recruiting class. Those "in the know" know that something special is brewing in Tuscaloosa. However, that championship season is still a year or two away. The Tide has a veteran QB, strong O-line (as do LSU and Auburn), and a litany of RBs at their disposal. The defense has tons of questions in its front seven, like "Who's going to step up?", but should be about as good as last season. The defensive secondary should be even better this year with last year's true freshman standout Kareem Jackson and All-SEC Safety Rashad Johnson returning. Return-man extraordinaire Javier Arenas is back and looks like a fine CB in-the-making to boot. The biggest question with Alabama is whether they can stay healthy long enough for the Freshmen to learn enough to make a difference. This is especially true of OLB Jerrell Harris and WR Julio Jones, the cornerstone's of that Freshman class. If the tide can work them into full-time roles by mid-season without having to rush them in due to injuries, they could challenge for the West title. Verdict: If the team can have it's star-studded Freshman class producing by the Georgia game in Athens, Alabama could be the favorite in the West.Alabama has the most pure chance because their quest for the West title can be marred only by injury. If they can scrape by the season opener against Clemson and come out on the other side healthy, and get their talented Freshman involved and learning against the cupcakes early, the Tide has the best shot at playing in the Georgia Dome at the end of the regular season.

[Stoney]

Roll Tide Roll !

[Geechee843]

1. how can perrilloux be so .......stupid. he was handed the keys to the reigning national champion and possibly best team in teh nation. and that was the perfect stage for him to show his talents.

2. now that he is gone i got auburn outta the SEC west and georgia outta the SEC east

[Lefty Noob]

Perrilloux or no Perrilloux, I still think LSU has the talent across the board to win the West.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Geechee843

1. how can perrilloux be so .......stupid.

He's like most young athletes today, undisciplined and think they can get away with anythin.

[JRL]

Lefty you got that right. I love the comment about Miles doing poorly in recruiting - someone needs to check his source - LSU has recruited better under Miles than they did under the vaunted Saban

[Stoney]

Originally Posted by JRL

Lefty you got that right. I love the comment about Miles doing poorly in recruiting - someone needs to check his source - LSU has recruited better under Miles than they did under the vaunted Saban

But his QB got high on drugs came to practice cussed him out in front of the players and got kicked off the team. Miles has his work cut out for him. LSWho will finish no better than third possibly fourth in the SEC West barring something unforseen. My cousin who lives in Baton Rouge is beside himself. Last season he game me hell over winning the National Title. Now he concedes that LSU will be in rebuilding for some time to come.

[JRL]

Originally Posted by Stoney

But his QB got high on drugs came to practice cussed him out in front of the players and got kicked off the team. Miles has his work cut out for him. LSWho will finish no better than third possibly fourth in the SEC West barring something unforseen. My cousin who lives in Baton Rouge is beside himself. Last season he game me hell over winning the National Title. Now he concedes that LSU will be in rebuilding for some time to come.

Stoney I still think LSU will win more games than Bama next year - they have more talent. The OL and DL may be the best in the country if - big if - they play up to their potential. Now two or three years down the road it may be a different story. Remember they won the NC last year without a super star QB.

[Stoney]

Originally Posted by JRL

Remember they won the NC last year without a super star QB.

Personally I liked Matt Flynn I thought he was a very good QB and he ran the offense well. I think Green Bay stole one.

[JRL]

Originally Posted by Stoney

Personally I liked Matt Flynn I thought he was a very good QB and he ran the offense well. I think Green Bay stole one.

Could be - he was one of the top 10 QB's coming out of H.S. I liked him as well but my point was he was not considered a top 10 college QB. He went in what the 7th round? A really good team can win with less than a stellar QB.

[JRL]

Stoney since you seem to be hanging your hat on one recruiting class I did a little research. Using the only criteria I could find - the dreaded star rankings (which I don't put much stock in).

Since 2004 the teams is the SEC west and east signed the following numbers of 4 & 5 star players.

The first group excludes last years class as they most likely won't play much.

LSU 10 5 Star and 53 4 Star
Auburn 2 5 Star and 38 4 Star
Bama 1 5 Star and 30 4 Star

Florida 9 5 Star and 48 4 Star
Tenn 9 5 Star and 38 4 Star
UGA 3 5 Star and 46 4 Star

Counting last years group

LSU 12 5 Star and 64 4 Star
Bama 4 5 Star and 49 4 Star
Auburn 4 5 Star and 42 4 Star

Florida 13 5 Star and 59 4 Star
Tenn 9 5 Star and 48 4 Star
UGA 5 5 Star and 59 4 Star

When you look at the total rosters you can clearly see the huge advantage LSU and Florida have over the rest of the SEC as it relates to total number of players. They have mostly 4 & 5 Star players.

[Mudbug]

Originally Posted by Stoney

But his QB got high on drugs came to practice cussed him out in front of the players and got kicked off the team.

I would like to know where you got this info. This is not what went down.........

[Stoney]

Originally Posted by Mudbug

I would like to know where you got this info. This is not what went down.........

My cousin who lives in Baton Rouge has a neighbor who works in the Athletic Department.

[JRL]

Neighbor of a cousin - I'd be careful posting on a public forum.