2002 RECORD: 13-1, 7-1 (first). Beat Florida State 26-13 in the Sugar Bowl.
NOTES: The defending East champions return 11 starters, including the dynamic quarterback duo of David Greene and D.J. Shockley. But its offensive line and linebackers are inexperienced. The defense lost its top players in Boss Bailey and Tony Gilbert, but the secondary returns four starters. Then there is the return of David Pollack, the SEC player of the year who had a school-record 14 sacks last season. Georgia's only stumble last season came against Florida, which may have cost the Bulldogs a chance to play for the national championship and still gnaws at fans who ask Richt when the long losing streak will end. Richt said his biggest concern is where the leadership will come from: the Bulldogs lost four players early to the NFL.
TENNESSEE
COACH: Phil Fulmer (103-25, 11 seasons)
2002 RECORD: 8-5, 5-3 (third). Lost 30-3 to Maryland in the Peach Bowl.
NOTES: If the Vols are to rebound from last year's dismal season, Casey Clausen must emerge as the All-American he has been expected to be the past two seasons. Mistakes cost the Vols last season, and Fulmer said he realizes the team must exhibit more leadership and discipline. The running back tandem of Cedric Houston and Gerald Riggs will come out of the backfield behind one of the conference's best offensive lines. Depth is a key at linebacker, but Tennessee's wide receivers corps is depleted and must avoid the rash of injuries that took a toll on the squad last season. Many believe Tennessee can challenge Georgia for the SEC East title if it finds a way to fully capitalize on the talent advantage.
FLORIDA
COACH: Ron Zook (8-5, one season)
2002: 8-5, 6-2 (second). Lost 38-30 to Michigan in the Outback Bowl.
NOTES: Gone are its Heisman Trophy runner-up quarterback, front seven and top receiver. In their place is a roster with 44 newcomers. Four players, three with no college experience, are vying for starting quarterback and there is little experience at wide receiver. The Gators have depth at running back, though only Ran Carthon, has experience, and an influx of junior college players could make an immediate impact on the offensive and defensive lines if they adapt to the system and SEC play quickly. With arguably the worst special teams unit in the conference, Florida will rely on a freshman punter to improve in that area. Expectations are low among outside observers, but the pressure is on the Gators to improve on what was considered a sub-par season last year.
SOUTH CAROLINA
COACH: Lou Holtz (22-25, four years; 238-120-7 overall)
2002 RECORD: 5-7, 3-5 (tied for fourth).
NOTES: The Gamecocks are trying to rebound from a season in which they lost their final five games and stayed home during bowl season. They open this season after a major overhaul - a new defensive coordinator and new assignments for eight of nine assistant coaches. Quarterback Dondrial Pinkins started the final two games last year and will take over full time, but the verdict is out on whether he can run the new offense. The Gamecocks are strong on the defensive line, led by Moe Thompson and George Gause. Look for South Carolina to return to a 4-3 scheme after visits to several coaches, including Tampa Bay Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.
NOTES: With the sudden departure of Guy Morriss, the Wildcats turned to Brooks, the long-time Oregon and former NFL coach to build on their recent success. The Wildcats have had to learn a third offense in the past four seasons. Quarterback Jared Lorenzen returns, but his weight (around 300-plus pounds) again may be an issue. With a new offensive scheme that relies on mobility, Lorenzen could have problems. The core of the offensive line returns, but 1,000-yard rusher Artose Pinner does not and the other running backs lack experience. Derek Abney, arguably the best kick and punt returner in the league, returns and will see more time at wide receiver. A new defensive scheme and four starters returning on defense could be problematic. How well - and how quickly - Kentucky adapts to its new offense and defense will be key.
VANDERBILT
COACH: Bobby Johnson (2-10, one season; 62-46 overall)
2002 RECORD: 2-10, 0-8 (sixth).
NOTES: The Commodores return their starting quarterback, top rusher and one of their top receivers in a unit in which the option is its most potent weapon. Their cornerbacks are young and defending some of the league's best passers likely will be a problem, but the Commodores have experience on the defensive line. Kwane Doster of Tampa's Robinson High provides Vanderbilt with a solid running game, but how much the Commodores will improve under Johnson is anyone's guess.
WEST
AUBURN
COACH: Tommy Tuberville (30-19, four seasons; 55-39 overall) 2002 RECORD: 9-4, 5-3 (tied for second). Beat Penn State 13-9 in the Capital One Bowl.
NOTES: With the return of 16 starters, the Tigers have arguably the most loaded team in the conference and are the consensus pick to win the SEC title. Many predict the Tigers could win it all. Auburn returns six starters from its front seven and four on the offensive line. The running game is the Tigers' potent weapon, with four running backs led by Carnell "Cadillac" Williams (745 yards, 10 TDs) and Ronnie Brown (1,008 yards, 13 TDs). Quarterback Jason Campbell has yet to prove he is a serious threat as a passer and receivers are inexperienced, but Auburn's biggest challenge may be handling the lofty expectations.
LSU
COACH: Nick Saban (26-12, three seasons; 69-38-1 overall) 2002 RECORD: 8-5, 5-3 (tied for second). Lost to Texas 35-20 in the Cotton Bowl.
NOTES: With 15 returning starters and the nation's No. 1 recruiting class, LSU is hoping to again contend for the West title. Quarterback Matt Mauck missed the final seven games last season with a foot injury, but again is healthy. The receiving corps could be a weakness. Big-play receiver Michael Clayton returns, but spent time on defense in the spring and could play both. Fortunately, four of five starters return on the offensive line. The Tigers will be without running backs LaBrandon Toefield and Domanick Davis who combined for more than 1,400 yards. Joseph Addai is the top returning rusher with 438 yards. The Tigers' biggest question on defense is inexperience at the linebacker position.
ALABAMA
COACH: Mike Shula (first season) 2002 RECORD: 10-3, 6-2 (first but ineligible for title and bowl game).
NOTES: The Crimson Tide has one of the toughest schedules in the nation, including Oklahoma, LSU and Tennessee with Georgia and Auburn on the road. When factoring in that the Tide is ineligible for bowls or league championships for a second consecutive year because of NCAA probation and lacks depth because of the lack of scholarships brought on by sanctions, then 'Bama has a rough outlook. Shula is the Tide's fourth coach in four years and takes over on the heels of a scandal that led to Mike Price's firing this summer. When preseason began in August, it was the first time the new coaching staff and players practiced together, meaning players had about three weeks to learn new schemes and get ready for the season. A daunting task.
ARKANSAS
COACH: Houston Nutt (39-23, five seasons; 75-45 overall) 2002 RECORD: 9-5, 5-3 (tied for second). Lost 29-14 to Minnesota in Music City Bowl.
NOTES: The Razorbacks are the defending West champions but are coming off a season in which they were pummeled in their last two games (a 30-3 loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship and a 29-14 loss to Minnesota in the Music City Bowl). But the Razorbacks say they have learned a lesson about complacency and with the return of 22 seniors, including its entire offensive line, leadership should not be an issue. Nutt will rotate junior quarterback Matt Jones and senior Ryan Sorahan in an effort to jump start a mediocre offense.
MISSISSIPPI
COACH: David Cutcliffe (30-19, five seasons) 2002 RECORD: 7-6, 3-5 (fifth). Beat Nebraska 27-23 in Independence Bowl.
NOTES: The biggest plus for the Rebels is that quarterback Eli Manning is back for a final year. Mississippi must find a way to improve a running game that averaged 94.3 yards and Ronald McClendon, a junior college transfer who underachieved last season, is key to that problem. Mississippi returns all but three starters on a much-improved defense. The Rebels took a late slide last season, losing five of their last seven, but closed with a big win over Nebraska. Cutcliffe said with 17 starters returning, what he wants most is top-notch leadership from seniors, particularly Manning, who admits he must become more of a vocal leader if the Rebels are going to succeed.
NOTES: Sherrill may be the dean of the SEC, but his tenure may end if the Bulldogs don't pull it together this season. NCAA investigations and two consecutive three-win seasons have Sherrill on the hot seat. The Bulldogs return 16 starters, but whether that's a plus remains to be seen since Mississippi State is coming off its first winless SEC season since 1988. Everything is new for the Bulldogs because Sherrill hired new offensive and defensive coordinators and three assistants.
