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Tigers and Gators will duke it out in the SEC title game

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SECHow They'll Finish
EAST
TEAM CONFERENCE W-L OVERALL W-L
Florida 6-2 10-2
Georgia 6-2 10-2
Tennessee 5-3 8-4
South Carolina 3-5 6-6
Kentucky 3-5 5-7
Vanderbilt 0-8 3-9
WEST
TEAM CONFERENCE W-L OVERALL W-L
LSU 7-1 11-1
Auburn 7-1 11-1
Arkansas 6-2 9-3
Alabama 3-5 7-5
Ole Miss 2-6 5-7
Mississippi State 0-8 3-9
Conference Championship Game :: Dec. 2 in Atlanta :: LSU over Florida
SECCan't Miss Games
USC at Arkansas SEPTEMBER 2
These aren't the young, inexperienced Razorbacks of 2005, who got drilled 70-17 by the Trojans in L.A. Deep and hungry -- and playing at home -- the Hogs can make a huge statement with an upset. USC had better be ready.
Auburn at South CarolinaSEPTEMBER 28
Can you say Tigers trap? Auburn will be coming off consecutive home games -- a battle royal with LSU on Sept. 16 followed by a cakewalk against Buffalo. Five days later it's off to Columbia for a Thursday-night game on national TV.
LSU at FloridaOCTOBER 7
The Tigers haven't won three straight in this series since Carter was in the White House, but this might be their best chance. The Gators will have their fourth game in a five-game string of SEC showdowns, with the finale coming at Auburn on Oct. 14.
SECPlayers To Watch
Earl BennettWR - Vanderbilt
The only Commodore to catch a ball in every game last year, he went wild in the final four weeks, pulling down 49 passes for 545 yards and nine TDs. His numbers may dip without QB Jay Cutler, but he'll provide stability to the passing game.
Felix JonesRB - Arkansas
The 6-foot, 208-pound sophomore will spell the injured Darren McFadden, the SEC freshman of the year in '05. Jones was impressive in his first year as well, running for 626 yards on 99 carries and averaging 31.9 yards per kickoff return. offense.
Patrick WillisLB - Ole Miss
A tremendous hitter with great speed, he was the heart of a surprisingly stout defense last season. Despite playing with a cast on his broken right hand most of the year, the 6'2", 230-pound All-America led the SEC in tackles with 12.8 per game.
Rafael LittleRB - Kentucky
The Wildcats' version of Reggie Bush, he ranked fifth in the nation in all-purpose yards (180.2 per game) as a sophomore. Little led Kentucky in rushing (1,045 yards) and receiving (46 catches, 449 yards) and topped the SEC in punt-return average.
Justin HarrellDT - Tennessee
He almost left school for the NFL last spring, and the Vols are lucky he stayed. A force inside, the 6'4", 300-pound Harrell is the only returning starter from last year's front seven. His presence ensures that Tennessee will have a formidable front four.
SECExtra Points
Bob Rosato/SI
OLE MISS running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who sat out last season after transferring from Indiana, is poised to be a star. He started 14 games in two years with the Hoosiers, rushing for 1,732 yards and 12 touchdowns. The 5'11", 211-pound junior will be the focal point of new offensive coordinator Dan Werner's physical ground attack.... The SEC chances of ALABAMA will take a major hit if wideout TYRONE PROTHRO (right), who suffered a broken left leg late in a 31-3 win over Florida last Oct. 1, is unable to play. The coaching staff has remained mum about Prothro's status, but his teammates say they are preparing to play the season without him.... New ARKANSAS offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn didn't arrive in Fayetteville empty-handed. The coach of the 2005 Class 5A state champion, Springdale High -- and author of a book on offensive strategy -- delivered four Springdale recruits, including blue-chip quarterback Mitch Mustain.... The SEC's easiest schedule belongs to SOUTH CAROLINA, which, save for a season-ending game at Clemson, has a pillow-soft nonconference schedule, with home dates against Wofford, Florida Atlantic and Middle Tennessee State. And except for a trip to the Swamp to take on Florida, the Gamecocks' toughest conference games will all be played in Columbia.... After ranking 113th in the nation in total offense last year, MISSISSIPPI STATE figures to get a boost from wideout Tony Burks, a transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Coach Sylvester Croom believes the 6'4" 219-pounder will develop into the deep threat the offense has lacked. -- Mark Beech
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Issue date: August 21, 2006
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