This season is going to be interesting to say the least. I think the East is making headway in getting back to a competitive balance with the West, which is good for not only the East but the entire conference. With that improvement there are some fanbases expecting big jumps from last season. In the East, everyone except maybe Vandy is expecting 8 wins with 4 hoping for more. I guess all are hoping for more, but 4 fanbases realistically have reasons to think more than 8.
Vandy just hasn't been a part of an improving East, they are falling farther behind every year and are now at pre Franklin level, getting an SEC win will likely be an upset.
Missouri is getting alot of love from the media, offensively they supposely have a top 2 OL, a top 2 QB, top receiving TE, a 1000 yard rusher, the downside is they are changing offensive schemes to help their D out I guess/ They will be able to score, just don't know if they can stop enough people to get to 8 wins. I think they push UT for 5th in the East, don't see 8 wins.
UT is looking for immediate improvement, fans are expecting 8 wins with outside shot at 10. Bringing in multiple grad transfers, JUCOs/ But still no proven QB, no proven RB, a makeshift OL and some question marks on D. Plus what might be the toughest 5 game stretch in college football this year. Getting to a bowl would be a successful year, but Pruitt is recruiting very well, they may be top 10 in 19. Don't think they stay down very long, if Fulmer doesn't mettle.
UF is different than everyone else, they had what is amounting to a signing class of near 40, signing their 18 class, bringing in 3-4 grad transfers, bringing in a couple more transfers who were given immediate eligibility and getting 9 players suspended for the 17 season back improves their roster a great deal., probably more than anyone's in the conference just because of numbers. Then there is the new coaching staff, Mullen doesn't have his guy at QB, but the offense won't be any worse than 17 and with all the skill players added should be much better. Many UF fans are expecting 10+ wins and playing in the SEC championship game.
Carolina lost alot of the defense, but have brought in some grad transfers and transfers to get a quick fix, gone is Hayden Hurst the TE. They return alot of their offense, get Debo Samuel back from injury. plus a deep group fo WR to help him out. They return their starting RB from injury too, but I don't think he is a serious enough threat to keep teams from going after Bentley hard. SC fans are also expecting 10+ wins and to win the East this year.
UK returns more starters and experience than anyone in the East, the biggest replacement is finding a QB to replace Johnson, not so much for his stats, but the intangibles he brought were far more advance than his physical skills. Getting Baker back should help the new QB, having Snell will also help the new QB, but UK needs another back they can depend on, 262 carries is alot of touches and the one player UK can't afford to lose for any length of time. With the new QB being named, it appears UK will be a RPO team, leaning towards the run. Defensively, the front has to get better stopping the run, imo getting the 16 version of the Jones kid back is the key to an improved defense, he was an elite defender than year and a liability in 17. As an outisider here I see most UK fans hoping to build on a 7-5 season to 8, maybe 9 wins, a minority of fans say 10+ wins and winning the East.
UGA returns 7 offensive starters and 4 defensive starters. Kirby doesn't give out much info, practices are close to the media except for a 10 minute viewing period which sometimes involves stretching. So we don't get tons of info, just what the writers see in their 10 minute window, what a parent or one of Kirby's buddies post. But it looks like Fromm is still our starting QB, but Fields will get his chance to play. Holyfield is likely our starter at RB, first injury free pre season camp in 3 years and he has taken advantage of it, Swift to be the co number one back, and the incoming frosh Cook being the 3rd back, and would have been even without White being injured, Much like his brother was at FSU, 10lb smaller and a little faste. WE will be a rotation of 7-8 guys, 2 in the 6'5" range, 4 in the 6 ft range and a few more in the 6;2: range. Defensively UGA will be playing alot of frosh, a couple may start, but 7-8 figure to be in the rotation. Most UGA fans are expecting to win the East, the SEC and get to the playoffs. 11-1, 12-0 are what most are expecting, several are saying 10-2
