The Blue Board

I have no clue what is going to happen for Nebraska next year. They always keep us guessing.

MSU should get a little better defensively, unless any juniors leave.
Offensively, I'm hoping that experience will greatly help Maxwell, the OL, and the WR's. Losing Bell (likely) would hurt a lot, and losing Sims (50/50) too would be debilitating.

All that having been said, I like our schedule. I'm going to guess 9-3, losses to ND, Nebraska, and either UM or Northwestern.

Unfortunately, one of those occasions was the last time MSU took a visit to Lincoln...

SEC West:

1. Alabama: Better - Will return 6* on offense and 6 on defense (looking at our base defense). Starters returning is deceptive because so many young players were worked into the playing rotation this year, and several players will be returning from injuries.

2. LSU: Push - The offense will be better. They'll get key offensive linemen back from injury and ZM played way better in the 2nd half of the season. On defense it will be hard to replace Mingo & Montgomery and the defense could really take a hit if they lose Reid and/or Loston to the NFL.

3. Texas A&M: Worse - Don't get me wrong, they'll still be very good, but they'll replace 3 on the offensive line including two first round draft picks at tackle (as opposed to Alabama who will lose a C, G & RT), their top WR and a b/t the tackles back in Michael. Defense should be improved, and opposing defenses may be a little more comfortable defending the air raid with a season of SEC film.

4. Ole Miss: Better - I think they return around 17 starters and other than Mackey I don't think they lose anyone of any significance. Add some more play-makers, including the #1 player in the country, and Ole Miss is a team to watch next year as they get A&M and LSU in Oxford.

5. Auburn: Better - IMO the mirror image of Ole Miss (in a positive way) they return just about everyone and should close with a strong recruiting class that will have some early contributors. IMO you glance at that roster and its hard not to think of their 2009 squad. It wouldn't shock me if they entered the Iron Bowl 8-3.

6. Miss. St.: Worse - IMO MSU will struggle next year. They're not very talented on defense in a league that is starting to produce a lot of offensive firepower, and they lose 3 starters at WR in an offense that sputtered at times this year. The entire OL returns so they'll be solid, but will struggle. IMO like the last 3 years, the early game at Auburn will be a key game.

7. Arkansas: Better - They'll have an identity under CBB and have the personnel on offense to line up and run the ball right at you (every OL is over 300). However, CBP was never accused of recruiting or producing great defenses or defensive players and CBB will get a young and not very talented defense that needs a lot of work. They draw USCe & Florida from the East, so they might be better, but the schedule likely won't be.

I agree with the above except for Bama. I think it is going to be harder to replace those offensive lineman than most people think. Will still be really good though.

Florida is my pre-season pick to win the SEC.

PSU will be worse. Right now, without double-checking the schedule, I'm thinking 6-7 wins. Of course, depends on who stays and who we get to commit (like the JUCO QB we're after).