LSU 2006 RECORDS: 11-2 overall, 6-2 SEC for second place tie in West BRAGS FOR 2007: Eight starters return from perhaps the best defense in the nation. The Tigers have the type of home schedule that can get a team in the BCS national championship game. LSU will be extremely highly ranked going into the season in the national polls, which is another path to the BCS national title game. A bevy of talent is at tailback and wide receiver. WORRIES FOR 2007: Starting quarterback Matt Flynn has only started one game, and his first start ever in Tiger Stadium will be against Virginia Tech, which is probably better than anyone else on the Tigers' schedule. Other than Early Doucet, there is not a lot of experience at receiver. There is also not a proven game-breaking tailback. QUOTING COACH LES MILES: "My image is not something I really have focused on much lately," he said laughing. QUOTING WIDE RECEIVER EARLY DOUCET: "Matt Flynn and I have gotten real tight with our passing routes. We've been working out together since after the Sugar Bowl. He's going to be very good." QUOTING DEFENSIVE TACKLE GLENN DORSEY: "I would love to play USC in the national championship game. That's what everybody wants. But we'd play anybody in that game. And we have a lot to do before we can think about that." SCHEDULE: Aug. 30 at Mississippi State, Sept. 8 Virginia Tech, Sept. 15 Middle Tennessee, Sept. 22 South Carolina, Sept. 29 at Tulane, Oct. 6 Florida, Oct. 13 at Kentucky, Oct. 20 Auburn, Nov. 3 at Alabama, Nov. 10 Louisiana Tech, Nov. 17 at Ole Miss, Nov. 23 Arkansas Ole Miss 2006 TEAM RECORDS: 4-8 overall, 2-6 SEC for fourth place tie in West BRAGS FOR 2007: The Rebels return 17 starters and are starting to build some quality depth as coach Ed Orgeron has been recruiting well for the most part. The defensive line will be strong with four starters back, and innovative, well-traveled coordinator John Thompson is in Oxford. Ole Miss outplayed and should have won last season at LSU. WORRIES FOR 2007: Quarterback is a question mark as senior Brent Schaeffer had a very disappointing season last year after much pre-season hype. Senior Seth Adams, a former walk-on, is the favorite to be the starter. There is also redshirt freshman Michael Herrick. The offense has continued to struggle. QUOTING COACH ED ORGERON: "We're building a new team. We have new ideas. Our coaches have worked very hard in the spring in research and development to tweak some things on offense." QUOTING TAILBACK BENJARVUS GREEN-ELLIS: "I think we are actually on the rise. We had great recruiting classes the last three years. The team unity is better than it was three years ago." QUOTING DEFENSIVE LINEMAN MARCUS TILLMAN: "I think we are really close, but we just have to finish. Finish plays, finish games." SCHEDULE: Sept. 1 at Memphis, Sept. 8 Missouri, Sept. 15 at Vanderbilt, Sept. 22 Florida, Sept. 29 at Georgia, Oct. 6 Louisiana Tech, Oct. 13 Alabama, Oct. 20 Arkansas, Oct. 27 at Auburn, Nov. 3 Northwestern State, Nov. 17 LSU, Nov. 24 at Mississippi State. Georgia 2006 TEAM RECORDS: 9-4 overall, 4-4 SEC for third place tie in the East BRAGS FOR 2007: A solid receiving corps returns along with half of the secondary. WORRIES FOR 2007: The Bulldogs could face a rebuilding year for the first time under coach Mark Richt, who took over in 2001. Only three defensive starters return, there are questions at the revolving door at quarterback and the schedule is difficult, beginning with a strong Oklahoma State team. QUOTING COACH MARK RICHT: "We do have a great challenge. It's a rough business." QUOTING CENTER FERNANDO VELASCO: Of sophomore quarterback Matthew Stafford, who is expected to be the starter, Velasco said, "It's tough for a true freshman to come in and get a grip of the offense like that. Now he's got a year under his belt. He's been in the system for quite a while now. I expect a great season out of him." QUOTING STRONG SAFETY KELIN JOHNSON: "We're underdogs. It's what gives us motivation." SCHEDULE: Sept. 1 Oklahoma State, Sept. 8 South Carolina, Sept. 15 Western Carolina, Sept. 22 at Alabama, Sept. 29 Ole Miss, Oct. 6 at Tennessee, Oct. 13 at Vanderbilt, Oct. 27 vs. Florida in Jacksonville, Fla., Nov. 3 Troy, Nov. 10 Auburn, Nov. 17 Kentucky, Nov. 24 at Georgia Tech. Tennessee 2006 RECORDS: 9-4 overall, 5-3 SEC for 2nd in the East BRAGS FOR 2007: The Vols feel like they're back after recovering from a rare losing season in 2005 with a good season a year ago. They return probably the best quarterback in the league in Erik Ainge and six other offensive starters. WORRIES FOR 2007: Only five starters return on defense, and the schedule has some road issues. QUOTING COACH PHILLIP FULMER: "I'm not silly. I know that our expectations are high because we created those. I also know I just got a contract extension. Nobody wants to win a championship more than I do. We're going to work like heck to make that happen." QUOTING QUARTERBACK ERIK AINGE: "Florida is our first SEC game and our first road game. But that's not going to be bigger than Alabama, Georgia or anyone else on our schedule. In the SEC, there are no off weeks." QUOTING LINEBACKER JEROD MAYO: "We have a lot of players on defense that can play. Just because you haven't heard of them doesn't mean that they can't play big-time football." SCHEDULE: Sept. 1 at California, Sept. 8 Southern Mississippi, Sept. 15 at Florida, Sept. 22 Arkansas State, Oct. 6 Georgia, Oct. 13 at Mississippi State, Oct. 20 at Alabama, Oct. 27 South Carolina, Nov. 3 Louisiana-Lafayette, Nov. 10 Arkansas, Nov. 17 Vanderbilt, Nov. 24 at Kentucky Link To Original Article
