Florida

Urban Meyer,

3rd season, 61-12
Location: Gainesville, Fla.
Stadium/Capacity: Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, 88,548
Last Season: 13-1 (7-1 SEC) – BCS National Champion

Overview: How will Urban Meyer and the Florida Gators follow a BCS Championship? They’ll let Tim Tebow run the show.

The sophomore quarterback was more of a running back last season, ranking second on the team with 469 rushing yards and leading the team with eight rushing touchdowns.

Meyer said, “We have a quarterback that obviously has a lot of experience, very talented. He’s got the ‘it.’ Everybody wants the ‘it’ in that position. That’s a competitor, intelligent, a guy that will do anything for the team to help you win.”

Meyer’s hoping “it” comes with a polished throwing arm because somebody has to get the ball to weapons such as Percy Harvin and Andre Caldwell.

The Gators lost several experienced defensive players, and new leaders will have to emerge on that side of the ball if the Gators want to make it back to Atlanta.

Key Returning Players:
QB Tim Tebow
WR Percy Harvin
WR Andre Caldwell
DE Derrick Harvey
Key Losses:
QB Chris Leak
LB Brandon Siler
DE Jarvis Moss
FS Reggie Nelson

Toughest Stretch: Sept. 29 Auburn, Oct. 6 at LSU, Oct. 20 at Kentucky, Oct. 27 Georgia (Jacksonville)

Tennessee

Phillip Fulmer,

16th season, 137-41
Location: Knoxville, Tenn.
Stadium/Capacity: Neyland Stadium, 102,079
Last Season: 9-4 (5-3 SEC) – 2nd in SEC East

Overview: Tennessee comes into the season optimistic with starting QB Erik Ainge going into his senior season and 12 other returning starters.

One setback Tennessee will have to overcome is the recent indefinite suspension of RB LaMarcus Coker, who reportedly violated team substance abuse policy. If the Vols are going to return to the top of the SEC, they’re going to have to beat tough opponents early and often starting the season on the road against California, at the Swamp against Florida in week three and at home against Georgia October 6. The Vols have brought in 32 recruits from 2007′s recruiting class including an impressive five 5-star players.

If some of the freshmen can step in and help the already stacked lineup, the Tennessee Vols may be well on their way to competing for the SEC Championship in the Georgia Dome Dec. 1.

Key Returning Players:
QB Erik Ainge
RB LaMarcus Coker
LB Jerod Mayo
FS Jonathan Hefney
Key Losses:
LT Arron Sears
WR Robert Meachem
DT Justin Harrell
CB Jonathan Wade

Toughest Stretch: Oct. 6 Georgia, Oct. 13 at Miss. St., Oct. 20 at Alabama, Oct. 27 South Carolina

S. Carolina

Steve Spurrier,

3rd season, 157-50-2
Location: Columbia, S.C.
Stadium/Capacity: Williams-Brice Stadium, 80,250
Last Season: 7-5 (3-5 SEC) – 5th in SEC East

Overview: Steve Spurrier is entering his third year in Columbia and the fans are starting to expect results. Unfortunately for South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida didn’t disappear overnight.

“I know it will be a huge assignment, but I believe our players, our team, we need to come to the ballpark feeling like we’re just as good as Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and that we can play with those guys to see what happens,” Spurrier said.

The Ole Ball Coach has begun to make an impact on the recruiting trail, but it’s now up to the players to prove that the SEC East is more than just Georgia, Tennessee and Florida.

Senior QB Blake Mitchell finally will have to show he can play consistently if the Gamecocks look to go bowling this December.

Key Returning Players:
QB Blake Mitchell
RB Cory Boyd
LB Jasper Brinkley
WR Kenny McKinley
Key Losses:
WR Sidney Rice
QB Syvelle Newton
CB Fred Bennett
C Chris White

Toughest Stretch: Oct. 27 at Tennessee, Nov. 3 at Arkansas, Nov. 10 Florida, Nov. 24 Clemson

Vanderbilt

Bobby Johnson,

6th season, 75-79
Location: Nashville, Tenn.
Stadium/Capacity: Vanderbilt Stadium, 39,773
Last Season: 4-8 (1-7 SEC) – 6th in SEC East

Overview: Last year’s Commodore team struggled mightily through a season that started with Michigan and ended with Tennessee.

But with each new season comes a fresh slate and optimism. “We got a little buzz going around Vanderbilt as far as our chances for improvement this year, and we’re anxious to get started,” said Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson.

This year, the team opens the season against a weak Richmond team but jumps into SEC opponents the next week. However, if experience counts for anything, Vanderbilt is loaded with 19 starters returning for this year’s campaign, including leading tackler Jonathan Goff.

Dual-threat QB Chris Nickson and WR Earl Bennett will again be a tough tandem that hooked up 82 times last season for 1,146 yards and six touchdowns.

Despite the success, Vanderbilt will still have trouble getting out of the basement of the SEC in 2007 with games at Auburn and at Florida.

Key Returning Players:
QB Chris Nickson
WR Earl Bennett
LB Jonathan Goff
OT Chris Williams
Key Losses:
WR Marlon White
DE Chris Booker
LB Kevin Joyce
DT Ray Brown

Toughest Stretch: Oct. 6 at Auburn, Oct. 13 Georgia, Oct. 20 at South Carolina, Oct. 27 Miami (Ohio)

Kentucky

Rich Brooks,

5th season, 17-30
Location: Lexington, Ky.
Stadium/Capacity: Commonwealth Stadium, 67,606
Last Season: 8-5 (4-4 SEC) – Tied for 3rd in SEC East

Overview: If ever Kentucky was going to have a shot at the SEC East title, 2007 may be the year. The team had a breakout year last season, knocking off Georgia and defeating Clemson in the Music City Bowl on its way to its first winning season in five years.

The team has 17 starters returning including senior quarterback Andre Woodson – pictured left – who was named first team pre-season All SEC and will have a big impact again this season. Woodson threw 31 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. He enters this season with a school-record 162 consecutive passes without an interception.

Rafael Little, UK’s all-time punt return yardage leader, returns from an injury plagued 2006 campaign, and on defense, all but three starters are back.

In addition, the Wildcats signed an impressive 29 recruits this last offseason. With Florida, Tennessee and LSU all coming to Lexington, the Wildcats will have a chance to compete for the East and surprise a lot of experts and fans alike.

Key Returning Players:
QB Andre Woodson
RB Rafael Little
WR Keenan Burton
LB Wesley Woodyard
Key Losses:
FB Terrell Bankhead
CB Karl Booker
DT Lamar Mills
C Matt McCutchan

Toughest Stretch: Oct. 4 at South Carolina, Oct. 13 LSU, Oct. 20 Florida, Oct. 27 Miss St.