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After a lot of studying I have my SEC 2011 East predictions. I actually had more trouble picking the east than I did with the west division. The teams in the east are improving top to bottom, So here are my SEC 2011 East picks.

1. South Carolina

2. Georgia

3. Florida

4. Tennessee

5. Kentucky

6. Vanderbilt

South Carolina – Everyone is picking the Gamecocks to win the SEC East but Phil Steele and ESPN. This was a tough pick at first but after I looked at everything this is theirs’ to lose. They have one of the top 2 or 3 RBs in the nation in Marcus Lattimore. The offensive line should be the best in at least the last 10 years at USC maybe longer. Alshon Jeffery is the number 1 or 2 WR in the nation. They have as many as 10 receivers that can play.

The defensive line is one of the top 5 defensive lines in the nation. DE Devin Taylor is exceptional along with DT Travian Robertson. Super freshmen DE Jadevon Clowney will play a lot but I doubt will start right off the bat. The only real question mark is the defensive backfield. Several DBs will mis the first game against East Carolina but return for the Geogia game.

This team has a different mental state than past Gamecock teams. They are talking playing for a National Championship. We will see if they can back it up. In the SEC I have them going 7-1.

Georgia - Georgia and South Carolina play in the second game of the year in Athens. The winner should win the east. Georgia has problems on the DL and WR positions. The Gamecocks strength is the running game. If they can’t stop Lattimore it’s over for the Bulldogs. They will have their own sensational freshman RB in Isaiah Crowell. If the new Georgia signees are as good as they are reported to be this will be a much improved team.

But new players normally take awhile to get adjusted to the SEC. Georgia and Mark Richt do not have much time with two very tough games to start the season. I have Georgia at 6-2 in the conference losing to South Carolina and Mississippi State even though both games are home games for the Dogs.

Florida – The Gators will finish third if they can defeat Tennessee at home. The OL is a big problem for Florida this year unless they can gel quickly. QB John Brantley needs to play better also after struggling most of last year. The LBs should be the strength of the defense. This team could go 4-4 in the SEC the way I see it. They have to play Alabama and LSU from the west and South Carolina on the road with Georgia in Jacksonville. The new pro style offense may help Brantley but they have to get the ball to RB Jeff Demps in space so he can use his great speed. This team will be hard to read until their 3rd game of the season against Tennessee.

Tennessee – I actually picked Tennessee and Florida to tie for third but gave it to Florida because I think they will win the game in Gainesville. This could be QB Tyler Bray’s break out year if the OL can protect him. The RBs too can be much improved if the OL is improved. The thing I look for first is the OL and DL. Without a strong upfront you can’t win in the SEC.

Their DL should be okay but what about the defensive backfield with the loss of Janzen Jackson. There just seems to be to many questions about this team for the Vols to make much of a move up in the standings this year. Next year could be a different story. This year 4-4 or 3-5 in the conference is what I see.

Kentucky- The Cats lost their outstanding QB Mike Hartline, 3 RB’s and 2 WR’S. On a good note they do return 8 offensive lineman. It’s hard to believe that Kentucky has been in 5 straight bowl games. So they do know how to win. They brought in a really good group of WR’s and RB’s this year. Don’t be surprised to see at least two freshmen getting considerable playing time at WR. The 2nd leading returning receiver is TE Jordan Aumiller with just a 193 yards.

I just don’t see much offense out of this group of Cats in 2011. The strong point of the team will be the defense. They will have to keep them in games until the offense can gel. They have 3 games to get it together before they start SEC play against Florida. If they can beat Florida at home they should be 3-5 in the conference if not I think 2-6 and they will have to win all 4 non-conference games to make it back to a bowl.

Vanderbilt – Vandy has an experienced OL returning along with an experienced group at WR. As a matter of fact they return all 11 starters on offense. After a QB battle Larry Smith will be the starting QB. The problem is the defense.The LB corp has very little experience. If they can’t find a way to shore it up teams will have a field day running the ball against them. Last year Vandy only had two wins. This year all four non-conference games are winnable.

They have two non-conference games before they open up at home against Ole Miss. The Commodores will be 1-0 in the conference after beating Ole Miss at home. So if they can pull out a win against one more conference opponent they could end up with 6 wins and a chance at a bowl. Oh my. But back down to earth Commodore fans. I pick Vandy to be 1-7 in the SEC East. But look out for this team in a few years. They are having a top 25 recruiting class this year and have a great young coach in James Franklin.

So I went with Alabama in the west and South Carolina in the east. Pretty much what most people have been picking. But it will come down to the wire and anyone could wind up in Atlanta in the SEC Football Championship Game.

Two great defenses against 2 great RB’s in Marcus Lattimore and Trent Richardson. The Gamecocks get the edge at WR with Alshon Jeffery. The Tide has maybe the best defense in the country. Nick Saban defensive guru against Steve Spurrier offensive guru. They even out. Neither team has great special teams. Comes down to QB play I believe. A 5th year Senior that’s battled hard times at USC against a Sophomore that is talented. Well I can’t go against some other articles I have written where I said Stephen Garcia would have a break out senior year. As a matter of fact he can have an all conference type of year.

USC by a hair. Spurrier gets his swagger back and USC gets it’s first SEC Championship.