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2006 SEC FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Deepest, Most Talented Conference Remains in the Heart of the
South
By: Jordan Adams
The best and most challenging college football is played in the South Eastern
Conference and ’06 will be another exceptional year among the south’s elite
programs. Florida, Auburn, LSU, Georgia, South Carolina, Arkansas, and Tennessee
will all be bowl teams and almost anyone of these teams could make a run at the
conference’s BCS birth.
Year two of the Urban Meyer project will be extremely successful, as he has
added some option into his spread offense behind senior quarterback Chris Leak.
Only six starters return to each of the offense and defense, but Florida has no
lack of talent so expect another deadly offense this year. The Gators have not
reached the SEC title game since 2000 and anything less than winning it would
create heavy doubt from supporters. Ryan McDonald and Brandon Siler head the
defensive unit, but its ninth total ranking of last year will be difficult to
reproduce in ‘06.
War Eagle should continue its dominance among the SEC powers. The Tigers have
won 16 of its past 17 SEC games and have earned at least a share of the West
division in five of the past six seasons. Only 13 starters return, but the two
most important players are back. Running force Kenny Irons effectively succeeded
Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams and will be among the best backs in the
nation. Quarterback Brandon Cox was very efficient in his first year as starter
and should again help to take some of the pressure off his talented runner.
Auburn was sixth in scoring defense last year, but the defense will take a step
back in a league where it will face a formidable offense almost every game this
year.
LSU has a special trio of quarterbacks, however only one will get the chance to
start the season. Junior JaMarcus Russell will be the likely starter with his
experience, but do not rule out Matt Flynn and the heralded Ryan Perrilloux
getting a chance over the course of the season. Its receiving threats are
menacing in the open field, but Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis will have to step up
as they will be without speedster Xavier Carter who opted to leave the team and
turn pro as a track star. The Tiger defense only brings back five starters, but
three return to an exceptional secondary. Safeties Jesse Daniels and LaRon
Laundry will not only cover well but also can put a lick on receivers who are
bold enough to go across the middle.
Georgia and Tennessee have been constant powers in the deep SEC, but two
up-and-coming teams might but them on the back burner in 2006. Arkansas and
South Carolina are ready to take center stage and overshadow some of the more
notable programs. Houston Nutt finally has a team with years under its belt. His
Hogs are one of the best running teams in the country and sophomore Darren
McFadden is the best offensive player you’ve never heard of. Signal calling will
be split by Casey Dick and Robert Johnson, with wide out Marcus Monk leading the
way through the air with his 6’6’’ physical frame. Steve Spurrier is ready to
improve upon his team’s 7-5 record in 2006. Blake Mitchell did well in the old
ball coach’s system as a sophomore and as a junior he should be ready to take
the next step. He will be fortunate to have a wonderful young receiving threat
in Sidney Rice who exploded onto the scene as an unknown freshman. Rice caught
70 passes for 1,143 yards and 13 touchdowns and should again be one of the
premier route runners in the conference.
SEC College Football Schedule - 2006
Thursday, August 31
South Carolina at Mississippi State
Saturday, September 2
Hawaii at Alabama
USC at Arkansas
Washington State at Auburn
Southern Miss at Florida
Western Kentucky at Georgia
Kentucky at Louisville
UL Lafayette at LSU
Memphis at Ole Miss
California at Tennessee
Vanderbilt at Michigan
Saturday, September 9
Vanderbilt at Alabama
Utah State at Arkansas
Auburn at Mississippi State
UCF at Florida
Georgia at South Carolina
Texas State at Kentucky
Arizona at LSU
Ole Miss at Missouri
Air Force at Tennessee
Saturday, September 16
UL Monroe at Alabama
Arkansas at Vanderbilt
LSU at Auburn
Florida at Tennessee
UAB at Georgia
Ole Miss at Kentucky
Tulane at Mississippi State
Wofford at South Carolina
Saturday, September 23
Alabama at Arkansas
Buffalo at Auburn
Kentucky at Florida
Colorado at Georgia
Tulane at LSU
Wake Forest at Ole Miss
Mississippi State at UAB
Florida Atlantic at South Carolina
Marshall at Tennessee
Tennessee State at Vanderbilt
Thursday, September 28
Auburn at South Carolina
Saturday, September 30
Alabama at Florida
Georgia at Ole Miss
Central Michigan at Kentucky
Mississippi State at LSU
Tennessee at Memphis
Kent State at Vanderbilt
Saturday, October 7
Duke at Alabama
Arkansas at Auburn
LSU at Florida
Tennessee at Georgia
South Carolina at Kentucky
Vanderbilt at Ole Miss
West Virginia at Mississippi State
Saturday, October 14
Ole Miss at Alabama
SE Missouri State at Arkansas
Florida at Auburn
Vanderbilt at Georgia
Kentucky at LSU
Jacksonville State at Mississippi State
Saturday, October 21
Alabama at Tennessee
Ole Miss at Arkansas
Tulane at Auburn
Mississippi State at Georgia
Fresno State at LSU
South Carolina at Vanderbilt
Saturday, October 28
FIU at Alabama
UL Monroe at Arkansas
Auburn at Ole Miss
Florida vs. Georgia
Kentucky at Mississippi State
Tennessee at South Carolina
Vanderbilt at Duke
Saturday, November 4
Mississippi State at Alabama
Arkansas at South Carolina
Arkansas State at Auburn
Vanderbilt at Florida
Georgia at Kentucky
LSU at Tennessee
Northwestern State at Ole Miss
Saturday, November 11
Alabama at LSU
Tennessee at Arkansas
Georgia at Auburn
South Carolina at Florida
Vanderbilt at Kentucky
Saturday, November 18
Auburn at Alabama
Arkansas at Mississippi State
Western Carolina at Florida
UL Monroe at Kentucky
Ole Miss at LSU
MTSU at South Carolina
Tennessee at Vanderbilt
Saturday, November 25
LSU at Arkansas
Florida at Florida State
Georgia Tech at Georgia
Kentucky at Tennessee
Mississippi State at Ole Miss
South Carolina at Clemson
Saturday, December 2
SEC Championship Game, Atlanta, Ga.