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2003 College Football Preview Ranking the SEC August 5, 2003
Welcome to the conference that started the madness. The first super-conference, the first playoff, and the Bowl Championship Series are all products of the Southeastern Conference and Roy Kramer. This year the SEC continues to flex its muscle with the constant rotation of power, but who owns the monster in 2003?
East 1. Georgia 2. Tennessee 3. Florida 4. South Carolina 5. Kentucky 6. Vanderbilt
West 1. Auburn 2. LSU 3. Arkansas 4. Alabama 5. Mississippi 6. Mississippi State
Tennessee was a hair from the 2001 National Championship Game, if not for that pesky Matt Mauck from LSU the Vols may have been defending their National Championship in 2002, instead they crumbled against the Tigers then went 8-5 last season. That record was the worst since 1988 in Knoxville, but 2003 looks to be the turnaround, just don't tell the rest of the SEC that the Vols return only four defensive starters.
Georgia would get the nod for the East as they have seven returnees on their defense, but the 'Dawgs return only three on offense. Granted, one of the three is QB David Greene, the other two are WR Fred Gibson and TE Ben Watson. No returning linemen and a new starter in the backfield will make a third straight and second straight win in Knoxville over the Vols a tough task.
Florida must find a new quarterback after the departure of Rex Grossman, Ingle Martin appears to be the frontrunner at this point, but don't be surprised if incoming Freshman Chris Leak doesn't unseat the vets. South Carolina returns only three starters on offense and four on defense, if they win big it will be a shock, any bowl would be a success.
The West is Auburn, LSU, and then everybody else. Auburn returns Jason Campbell at Quarterback and a host of top caliber running backs that begins with Superstar Carnell "Cadillac" Williams. The Tiger defense returns stud linebackers Karlos Dansby and Dontarrious Thomas to anchor a defense that any school would be proud or in fear of.
LSU hopes that Matt Mauck, the hero of the 2001 SEC Championship Game can stay healthy and lead them back to the level of success they enjoyed that season. The biggest strength the Tigers have in 2003 is having their key conference games in Baton Rouge with Georgia, Florida, and Auburn all coming in.
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