College Sports

West

ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

Coach (record): Nick Saban, second year (7-6, overall 98-48-1)

2007 record (SEC): 7-6 (4-4, T3rd West)

Bowl results: Defeated Colorado 30-24 in the Independence Bowl.

Key losses: DE Wallace Gilberry, LB Darren Mustin, G Justin Britt, WR DJ Hall, CB Simeon Castille

What's happened: Offseason woes followed the Tide, most notably the arrest of Jimmy Johns for allegedly selling cocaine. He has been kicked off the team.

Athlon national ranking: 30

Predicted SEC finish: Third, West

Coming to media days: The Tide will bring FS Rashad Johnson and C Antoine Caldwell.

Storyline: Alabama started the season lights out in 2007 before running into trouble midway through the season. The Tide ended a four-game losing streak with a win in the bowl game. There will be plenty of attention on Saban (pictured at middle) and a top-ranked recruiting class.

ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS

Coach (record): Bobby Petrino, first year (0-0, overall 41-9)

2007 record (SEC): 8-5 (4-4, T3rd West)

Bowl results: Lost to Missouri 38-7 in Cotton Bowl

Key losses: RB Darren McFadden, RB Felix Jones, FB Peyton Hillis, G Robert Felton, T Nate Garner, LB Weston Dacus, SS Matt Hewitt

What's happened: The Razorbacks tried to get QB Ryan Mallett into school on a special waiver, but it was denied, so the Michigan transfer must sit out the 2008 season. The Razorbacks have also been hit with five arrests since Petrino took over, most recently, the arrest of linebacker Wendel Davis following a felony altercation with a man who bumped his scooter with his car.

Athlon national ranking: 55

Predicted SEC finish: Fifth, West

Coming to media days: The Razorbacks will bring LB Elston Forte and C Jonathan Luigs to Birmingham.

Storyline: The Razorbacks lived off the running talents of McFadden and Jones for the last few years, but now will have to find another way to win. Petrino brings in strong offensive-minded credentials, but plenty of baggage.

AUBURN TIGERS

Coach (record): Tommy Tuberville, 10th year (80-33, overall 105-53)

2007 record (SEC): 9-4 (5-3, 2nd West)

Bowl results: Beat Clemson 23-20 in overtime in the Chick-fil-A Bowl

Key losses: QB Brandon Cox, DT Josh Thompson, DT Pat Sims, DE-LB Quentin Groves, FS Eric Brock, CB Patrick Lee

What's happened: The Tigers have had a quiet offseason with not much happening other than quarterbacks Kodi Burns (pictured at right) and Chris Todd looking to develop an edge entering fall practice. Tuberville spent several days touring U.S. military bases and a Navy ship in the Middle East.

Athlon national ranking: 8

Predicted SEC finish: First, West

Coming to media days: The Tigers will bring C Jason Bosley and DE Sen'Derrick Marks to the event.

Storyline: Auburn will break in new offensive and defensive coordinators and will be in search of a quarterback. Platooning might be a strong possibility if neither Burns nor Todd steps up during fall practice.

LSU TIGERS

Coach (record): Les Miles, fifth year (34-6, overall 62-27)

2007 record (SEC): 12-2 (6-2, 1st West, SEC champion)

Bowl results: Won BCS championship, beating Ohio State 38-24

Key losses: QB Matt Flynn, RB Jacob Hester, WR Early Doucet, LT Glenn Dorsey, LB Ali Highsmith, SS Craig Stelts, CB Chevis Jackson

What's happened: LSU has had a tumultuous offseason with QB Ryan Perriloux, the heir apparent, first sustaining a suspension, then being kicked off the team before settling at Jacksonville State. Offensive lineman Jarvis Jones was also booted off the team for violation of rules.

Athlon national ranking: 9

Predicted SEC finish: Second, West

Coming to media days: C Brett Helms and DE Tyson Jackson will represent LSU.

Storyline: With Perriloux out the door, the Tigers must find someone to step in and fill that void, as well as replace many other talented players who left. Still, LSU typically has strong recruiting classes and should be able to reload and be a factor in the SEC West.

OLE MISS REBELS

Coach (record): Houston Nutt, first year (0-0, overall 111-70)

2007 record (SEC): 3-9 (0-8, 6th West)

Bowl results: None

Key losses: TE Robert Lane, QB Seth Adams, CB Nate Banks, RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis

What's happened: DT Jerrell Powe has spent several years trying to get in at Ole Miss and finally has accomplished it. SEC commissioner Mike Slive cleared Powe, who was deemed a partial qualifier last year by the NCAA, good to go this year.

Athlon national ranking: 69

Predicted SEC finish: Sixth, West

Coming to media days: DT Peria Jerry and OT Michael Oher will be the players in Birmingham for Ole Miss.

Storyline: The Rebels snagged beleaguered Arkansas coach Nutt, hoping to turn around things after a dismal tenure from Ed Orgeron. Nutt will have plenty of returning starters in his quest to turn around the program. The Rebels will have the services of talented quarterback Jevan Snead, who transferred in from Texas.

MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS

Coach (record): Sylvester Croom, fifth year (17-30, overall same)

2007 record (SEC): 8-5 (4-4, T3rd West)

Bowl results: Beat Central Florida 10-3 in Liberty Bowl

Key losses: C Royce Blackledge, WR Tony Burks, DE Titus Brown, DE Avery Hannibal

What's happened: The Bulldogs have had an offseason filled with rising hopes. Croom has talked up his team's chances while making the offseason rounds.

Athlon national ranking: 48

Predicted SEC finish: Fourth, West

Coming to media days: The Bulldogs will bring QB Wesley Carroll and LB Jamar Chaney.

Storyline: Croom took the Bulldogs over the hump last season, getting them into a bowl game after picking up some big wins along the way. That included a road win over Auburn. This year, Croom, who is finally off the hot seat, needs to establish consistency and continue to build the program.

East

FLORIDA GATORS

Coach (record): Urban Meyer, fourth year (31-8, overall 70-16)

2007 record (SEC): 9-4 (5-3, 3rd East)

Bowl results: Lost to Michigan 41-35 in Capital One Bowl

Key losses: WR Andre Caldwell, C Drew Miller, RT Carleton Medder, DE Derrick Harvey, SS Tony Joiner

What's happened: Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow (pictured at left) went on missionary trips during the summer, while Meyer took his family to the Dominican Republic on a trip to perform humanitarian aid. Tebow also won an ESPY as top male college athlete.

Athlon national ranking: 1

Predicted SEC finish: First, East

Coming to media days: The Gators will bring and tackle Phil Trautwein to Birmingham.

Storyline: The Gators return eight starters on each side of the ball and, as usual, will be a force in the East. The unbelievably talented Tebow will have an experienced offensive line behind which to operate this year, which could mean big things.

GEORGIA BULLDOGS

Coach (record): Mark Richt, eighth year (72-19, overall same)

2007 record (SEC): 11-2 (6-2, T1st East)

Bowl results: Beat Hawaii 41-10 in Sugar Bowl

Key losses: SE Sean Bailey, TB Thomas Brown, C Fernando Velasco, RT Chester Adams, DE Marcus Howard, SS Kelin Johnson, PK Brandon Coutu

What's happened: Georgia players have stayed in the headlines after seven arrests in seven months. The most recent: DE Michael Lemon was kicked off the team after being arrested for aggravated battery. Richt also went on the same Middle East tour as Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville.

Athlon national ranking: 5

Predicted SEC finish: Second, East

Coming to media days: WR Mohamed Massaquoi and DT Jeff Owens will be on hand for the Dogs.

Storyline: The Bulldogs, despite the offseason problems, still enter the season a top contender for the SEC title, as well as contention in the national race. Georgia returns talented quarterback Matthew Stafford after getting on a roll at the end of last season to finish No. 2 nationally.

KENTUCKY WILDCATS

Coach (record): Rich Brooks, sixth year (25-35, overall 116-144-4)

2007 record (SEC): 8-5 (3-5, T4th East)

Bowl results: Beat Florida State 35-28 in Music City Bowl

Key losses: TE Jacob Tamme, WR Keenan Burton, QB Andre Woodson, TB Rafael Little, DE Dominic Lewis, LB Wesley Woodyard

What's happened: Coach Brooks had a scare when boating an Oregon river. His boat capsized after a strong surge, but neither he nor the others in the boat were injured.

Athlon national ranking: 58

Predicted SEC finish: Fifth, East

Coming to media days: DE Jeremy Jarmon and WR Dicky Lyons, Jr.

Storyline: Brooks had a strong season behind the talents of Woodson, Little and Burton, earning himself time away from the hot seat. He lost some major talent, however, and the East will definitely be a beast this season.

SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS

Coach (record): Steve Spurrier, fourth year (21-16, overall 163-56-2)

2007 record (SEC): 6-6 (3-5, 4th East)

Bowl results: None

Key losses: QB Blake Mitchell, TB Cory Boyd, DE Casper Brinkley

What's happened: One potential starting quarterback, Stephen Garcia, was suspended from football-related activities after an underage drinking arrest. He will miss the first two weeks of fall practice.

Athlon national ranking: 34

Predicted SEC finish: Fourth, East

Coming to media days: LB Jasper Brinkley and WR Kenny McKinley will be the representatives for the Gamecocks.

Storyline: Spurrier recently praised his two incoming freshmen and said he believes Aramis Hillary can really be a top-notch player after a year to learn the system.

TENNESSEE VOLS

Coach (record): Phillip Fulmer, 17th year (147-45, overall same)

2007 record (SEC): 10-4 (6-2, T1st East)

Bowl results: Beat Wisconsin 21-17 in Outback Bowl

Key losses: QB Erik Ainge, TE Chris Brown, DE Xavier Mitchell, LB Jerod Mayo, FS Jonathan Hefney

What's happened: The Vols have been all over the police blotters this offseason. Two wide receivers were busted for possession of marijuana during a recruiting weekend, while punter Dustin Colquitt had his scholarship revoked and will miss the first five games of the season after being charged with driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident. Several other players had brushes with the law, while two players were dismissed from team rules violations. Also, safety Demetrice Morley, who was booted from the team after the 2006 season for academic reasons, has been reinstated.

Athlon national ranking: 17

Predicted SEC finish: Third, East

Coming to media days: DE Robert Ayers and RB Arian Foster will be on hand for the Vols.

Storyline: The Vols will have to replace some talented senior leaders in Mayo and Ainge, but they still have plenty of talent. They'll definitely be behind Georgia and Florida, but like last year, possess the potential to muck things up in the East and earn a berth in the championship game.

VANDERBILT COMMODORES

Coach (record): Bobby Johnson, seventh year (20-50, overall 80-86)

2007 record (SEC): 5-7 (2-6, 6th East)

Bowl results: None

Key losses: WR Earl Bennett, TB Cassen Jackson-Garrison, LB Jonathan Goff

What's happened: WR Terence Jeffers transferred to Vanderbilt in the summer, but will have to sit out this season, per NCAA rules. The 'Dores also have new uniforms, with nine possible combinations of black, gold and white.

Athlon national ranking: 73

Predicted SEC finish: Sixth, East

Looking ahead: S Reshard Langford and WR George Smith

Storyline: The Commodores started strong last year, opening at 5-3, but finished the season on a four-game losing streak to nix bowl hopes. Close calls killed the 'Dores. This year, they will have a strong defensive secondary, led by D.J. Moore and Myron Lewis.