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SEC overview

Alabama looks to roll on; Georgia should prevail in East

By Chris Low, Special to CNNSI.com

Freddie Milons does everything for SEC favorite Alabama. Scott Halleran/Allsport

Order of Finish East 1. Georgia 2. Florida 3. Tennessee 4. Kentucky 5. Vanderbilt 6. South Carolina West 1. Alabama 2. Mississippi 3. LSU 4. Auburn 5. Mississippi State 6. Arkansas

Top Storylines

In the dreary aftermath of Alabama's embarrassing loss to Louisiana Tech early last season, the only real suspense in Tuscaloosa was whether or not Mike DuBose would make it through the season. Not only did he survive his off-the-field problems, but the Crimson Tide came storming back to win the SEC championship and should be even better this season. In the East, Georgia has comparable talent and a new defensive coordinator (Gary Gibbs), but the Bulldogs have to prove they can beat Florida and Tennessee. The Vols lost enough players to the NFL to start an expansion team, while Ole Miss' Deuce McAllister will make one more jaunt through the league before taking his act to the NFL.

Where They'll Be for the Holidays
BCS Blessed	Dot-Com Doomed	Confined to Couch
Alabama Georgia Florida	Tennessee Mississippi Auburn LSU Miss. State	Vanderbilt South Carolina Kentucky Arkansas

Best of All Worlds

Quarterback

Georgia Quincy Carter

Running Backs

Mississippi Deuce McAllister, Joe Gunn

Ends

Georgia Terrence Edwards, Durell Robinson, Jevaris Johnson

Offensive Line

Alabama Dante Ellington, Paul Hogan

Defensive Line

Florida Alex Brown, Gerard Warren

Linebackers

Georgia Kendrell Bell, Boss Bailey, Will Witherspoon

Secondary

Mississippi State Fred Smoot, Pig Prather

Special Teams

Mississippi Les Binkley, Deuce McAllister

Coaching

Florida Steve Spurrier, Jon Hoke, Jimmy Ray Stephens

Status Report

Set to Go Skygliding

Georgia Quincy Carter has plenty of weapons, and the defense should be dramatically improved.

Set to Go Cliffdiving

Mississippi State Jackie Sherrill just keeps finding ways to win. This year could be the exception.

About to Step Up

Jared Lorenzen, QB, Kentucky He's got the size, the arm and Hal Mumme's pass-happy offense to put up gaudy numbers.

Hasn't Stepped Up Yet

Jesse Palmer, QB, Florida The Gators need a big year from Palmer. If he stumbles, freshman Brock Berlin will be on his heels.

Schedules

Brutal Schedule

South Carolina In addition to the SEC gauntlet of Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee, the Gamecocks close the season at Clemson.

Breather Schedule

Mississippi The Rebels avoid Florida and Tennessee and play four of their first five games at home.

Mark Your Calendar

Alabama at UCLA, Sept. 2 How good is the Crimson Tide? The opening weekend should provide more than a few answers. Florida at Tennessee, Sept. 16 The tone in the East is established right away. The Gators have won six of the last seven meetings. Florida vs. Georgia, Oct. 28 Don't be surprised if both teams are unbeaten when they collide in the annual Cocktail Party.

Chris Low covers the SEC for The Tennesseean and will write a weekly CNNSI.com conference insider this season.

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