Alabama's Jacob Coker.
UA fans, and possibly coaches alike, are resting a lot of hope on a QB that has not started a game in college football. Unfortunately, transfer history INTO the SEC has not been good in recent history. Recent transfer QBs that come to mind that fit the mold of being at another power conference prior to coming to the SEC would be Jeremiah Masoli (Oregon to Ole Miss), Jevan Snead (Texas to Ole Miss), Ryan Mallett (Michigan to Arkansas), and Robert Bolden (Penn State to LSU). Ryan Mallett was the only one to finish as expected, that is, as a great QB for his team. I would also argue that all of these QBs had major game experience before having a brutal SEC experience. Masoli was a 5th year graduate transfer who started at Oregon. Jevan Snead played at Texas his freshman year eventually losing the job to Case McCoy. Robert Bolden played as a frosh (including against Alabama) in 2010.With that being said, it is pretty rare that QBs transferring into the SEC has immediate success. It is important to note that if Jacob Coker doesn't live up to the hype, Alabama is still talented enough to win big games...but they could also lose a couple of games...which would dent one of the SEC's strongest teams' case for getting into the playoffs.
*Cam Newton does not fit in my category because he played at UF (an SEC school) and battled with Tebow...and he was a freak of nature.
It is rare for QBs who transfer from other Power Conferences to have first year success in the SEC like Ryan Mallett did.
Auburn's Schedule.
Hands down, it appears that Auburn is the most talented team in the SEC. This is one of the few times Gus has a returning QB in his system. In addition, he has experience on every side and area of the ball. However, Auburn may fall victim to a ridiculous schedule. Consider the trade from South Carolina to Tennessee from last year; a random, RANDOM, week 3 NIGHT game AT Kansas State; and a brutal 4 week stretch at the end of October and November where I think every team they play could be in the top 15 except South Alabama. If they stay healthy and come out of this schedule with one loss, I would consider it a magical season and definitely worthy a playoff shot.
South Carolina's Schedule.
I think South Carolina is hands down the favorite to win the East. I'm actually apart of the small few that liked Dylan Thompson over Connor Shaw in this Spurrier offense because of the different dimensions Thompson gives you. See South Carolina AT Clemson 2012 Although I still think USC will win the East, like Auburn, the schedule got extremely tougher, so their percentages to go through the season unscathed goes considerably down, especially since they are trading Arkansas and Miss. State with Texas A&M and a visit to Auburn. Getting out of this schedule with only one regular season loss is a great goal especially with a possible rematch with Auburn in the title game lurking.
The Magnolia State.
I believe that positive momentum is a huge thing in COLLEGE sports and both Ole Miss and Mississippi State have it. Ole Miss finished 8-5, (and I would argue they were in every game they loss including the loss they took to Alabama (9-0 at halftime)) beat LSU, and won their 2nd straight bowl game. Mississippi State really turned the corner in November playing both Texas A&M and Alabama close before winning their three final games.
Beating Boise St will be key for Ole Miss as they will be probably be favored in every game they play until October (HOME game with Alabama). Ole Miss returns their leading QB, RB, and WR (in catches) in an electric offense from last year. The key is the defense in which most of the secondary and leading tacklers are back. They only play 4 road games in which a young LSU squad is easily their toughest one. Besides that, in recent history, they always play LSU tough and they beat Auburn the last time Auburn came to Oxford. They also get Bama at home.
Mississippi State has three tough road games (LSU, Bama, Ole Miss) but they are pretty spread out. They have played preseason favorite Auburn to one possession every year since 2010 (except 2012 win). They also have arguably the best QB, TE, and Safety in the league and if the running game comes along as usual (Perkins and Ballard are both in the NFL under Mullen), there is no reason why the Egg Bowl can't be the biggest rivalry game played in November.
Both teams have no Florida, Georgia or South Carolina on their schedule; So if both coaches can step up their game getting to the SEC championship game (finally for Ole Miss) is not far fetched for either team...but possibly at someones expense.
The SEC Championship Game.
Finally, once you make it through those gauntlet SEC conference schedules, you have the pleasure of playing another top 5 opponent in the SEC title game. However, for haters in the league (like Bob Stoops), this has kind of been an indictment on the league the last couple of years. Going back to 2009, the W-L point differential is 221-110 only the amazing 2012 Title game between UGA and Bama ended with suspense in recent years. Being that the playoff committee members are humans and not computers, we have no history on how they will judge the drubbing of a fellow conference foe. The human element can have them swayed by haters. Either way, since 2009, losing the game didn't get you into a BCS bowl other than that 2009 Florida squad. So I am 100% sure that the loser of such game this year won't be the 4th team in the new playoff.
At the end of the day the SEC has been on top for so many years, any team that comes out will probably get the benefit of the doubt from the Playoff Committee. However, with the brutal SEC schedule, inexperience players, Florida State, Oklahoma and Oregon all with pretty favorable schedules and Ohio State starting in the top five, there will be an uphill climb for any team that drops a game and most definitely if they drop two. Even the SEC.
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