Forecasting the new leaders in the Southeastern Conference



After six months of withdrawal, Gators fans can begin stirring.

After six tight-lipped months, college football fans can begin to argue about who's really No. 1, which conference is the best and why Ray Rice is better than Darren McFadden.

Southeastern Conference media days begin next Wednesday, signaling the start of another glorious college football season and new debates.

Debate is part of what makes sports fun, and college football embraces that notion more than any other American sport, thanks to the BCS.

With the clock slowly but surely ticking the seconds off until that first kickoff, I'd like to take a look at the top contenders for the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year.

The candidates are many, but the list must remain short. It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it.

5. Tim Tebow: The way Tebow trucked his way into the hearts of Gators fans is similar to the way he bull rushes unsuspecting defensive linemen. The 6-foot-3-inch rising sophomore quarterback has the body of a tight end and, to steal a line from Peyton Manning, "a laser-rocket arm." And while those are two nice attributes for a quarterback to have, the most accurate passers will always be considered the cream of the quarterback pool.

Tebow seemed to make strides at the spring game, completing 15 of 21 pass attempts, three of them for touchdowns, though the Orange and Blue game is nothing more than a glorified practice session. I do expect his running and passing ability to make him one of the more feared threats in the SEC.

Prediction: Expect Tebow to throw for about 2,500 yards, rush for about 500 and throw 18 touchdowns.

4. Erik Ainge: After getting jerked to and from the bench throughout the 2005 season, Phillip Fulmer decided to bring a little stability to Tennessee's offense in 2006. Gee, you think that was a good idea? Ainge responded by throwing nearly 3,000 yards, 19 touchdowns and completing 67 percent of his passes.

Despite the strong season, Ainge enters the season with questions about his health. The rising senior underwent knee surgery March 19. If Fulmer is correct in his assertion that Ainge is in better shape now than he was at the end of last season, Ainge's numbers could take off.

Prediction: Expect Ainge to throw for about 3,200 yards and 24 touchdowns.

3. Percy Harvin: The sophomore speedster may have changed his number, but don't expect the results to change much. Harvin's combination of speed and elusiveness conjured memories of a young Reggie Bush last season.

While his 855 yards of total offense is nothing to scoff at, what makes it even more impressive is that the high ankle sprain he suffered in the Tennessee game caused him to miss virtually half the season.

What Harvin could do if he stays healthy and with another year of experience is mind-boggling. With questions remaining about the running back position, Harvin could be the answer. He averaged 10.4 yards per rush last season and, with the wealth of offensive weapons the Gators feature, he could conceivably average a bit more since teams will not be able to key on him alone.

Prediction: If Harvin can stay healthy, he could overtake 2006 SEC Player of the Year Darren McFadden. Expect about 1,000 receiving yards and 700 rushing yards from Harvin.

2. Andre Woodson: With elder statesman Russell and former UF quarterback Chris Leak departing for the NFL, Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson is now the most experienced quarterback in the SEC. But what many people failed to realize was that Woodson, not Russell, Chris Leak or Ainge, was the best quarterback in the SEC last season.

Led by Woodson's 270.4 passing yards per game, the Wildcats led the SEC in passing offense last season. Impressive? I'd say so, when considering Kentucky doesn't have nearly the amount of talent UF, Tennessee and LSU feature.

Woodson threw 31 touchdowns last season against just seven interceptions. He also passed for over 3,500 and completed 63 percent of his passes. At this moment, anyone who says Woodson isn't the best quarterback in the SEC is a fool, uninformed, or both.

Prediction: With Woodson's numbers being so high last season, they can't rise much higher. Expect to see similar numbers from Woodson, and prepare to be enthralled by a high-flying offense.

1. Darren McFadden: I don't believe Darren McFadden will win the SEC Player of the Year two years in a row, but when you're the reigning champ, someone has to knock you off your perch. The junior ran over and even threw over SEC defenses last season. Darren McFadden's versatility, coupled with Arkansas' Wildcat formation, made Darren McFadden the most unstoppable force in the SEC last season.

The then-sophomore rushed for 1,647 yards and scored 14 touchdowns last season, easily walking away with the SEC Player of the Year title.

It will be tough for Darren McFadden to repeat because of questions at the quarterback and wide receiver positions and on defense will make it difficult for Arkansas to win 10 games this season.

Prediction: Expect stats similar to last seasons, though the team may only win eight or nine games this time around.

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