By: Drayton Hogarth

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

The SEC East has fallen from its’ former glory.

Just as the SEC West has dominated the league, as well as college football, the same used to be true for the SEC East.

However, the arms race was amped up when Nick Saban arrived in Baton Rouge, and then exploded after his failed run in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins, and he returned this time with Alabama.

The East has been making somewhat of a resurgence, but was down enough that newcomer Missouri Tigers were able to make back to back appearances in the SEC title game in the Georgia Dome.

This season there appear to be three teams who will contend to be the East champions. Let’s take a look at the Tennessee Volunteer, the Florida Gators, and the Georgia Bulldogs.

Tennessee is the prohibitive favorite to complete their return to glory, and challenge for the SEC crown, and as well a shot at the college football playoff.

The Vols were able to convince the majority of their underclassmen to return for this final run. The offense will be led by a strong running game consisting of the one-two punch of the burly Jalen Hurd and the shifty Alvin Kamara.

The rushing attack gets a boost from athletic quarterback Josh Dobbs. Dobbs gives coach Butch Jones’ offense enough through the air to keep defenses honest and from loading the box.

The Volunteers defense will now be coached by long time collegiate defensive coordinator Bob Shoop. Shoop should be a solid upgrade over Jon Jancek.

Tennessee’s defense has a solid core of starters returning, especially along the defensive front and secondary. One concern is how will the Vols respond to being the hunted instead of the hunter, and the draining sexual assault case that plagued the program all offseason.

Defending SEC East champions, the Florida Gators look to make a return to Atlanta this season, and may well have the defense to do just that.

Camden County’s own, linebacker Jarad Davis, will lead a hard hitting defense this season. As well, defensive back Jalen Tabor could very well be the best corner back in the country.

Florida head coach Jim McElwain will earn his keep this season. McElwain will need to find a quarterback to replace departed Treon Harris, who replaced the also departed Will Grier.

Luke Del Rio looks to be the lead candidate to land the job. Like Tennessee, off the field controversy may play a huge role in who are the playmakers for Florida as Antonio Callaway has been suspended all offseason, and just recently the reason was exposed to be sexual assault.

The Georgia Bulldogs will have a new coach leading the program for the first time in fifteen years.

Kirby Smart is now at the helm, and will have many difficult decisions to make right off the bat. Quarterback will be the most prominent among them, as freshman Jacob Eason will challenge the returning lettermen Greyson Lambert and Brice Ramsey.

Smart will also have to determine how to use stud running back, Nick Chubb; who is returning from a terrible knee injury.

The key to the offense will be playmakers on the outside, Terry Godwin and freshman Riley Ridley will need to step up. The rest of the offense looks to be in good shape.

Defensively is where Coach Smart has made his living the past nine years. The Georgia secondary will need to continue its’ stellar play, and linebackers Lorenzo Carter and Davin Bellamy must step up to replace NFL draft picks Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins. Trenton Thompson must anchor the defensive line, and be a disruptor in the opponent’s backfield.

So, on paper, Tennessee should be considered the favorite in the SEC East, but do not be surprised when another team takes the title. Especially when you consider the media has picked the correct SEC champion five times since 1992. Buckle up football fans, it’s going to be a fun ride!