2015 College Football Preview: SEC

ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 12-2
ATS Record: 5-8
Over/Under: 7-6
Points Scored: 36.9 PPG (16th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 18.4 PPG (6th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 13/2

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 4
Defense: Starters Returning: 7
The top three skill players left, but QB Jake Coker (6.8 YPA) and RB Derrick Henry (990 rush yds, 11 TD) will make this offense thrive. The defense is loaded with stars like NT A’Shawn Robinson (49 tackles) and ILB Reggie Ragland (10.5 TFL).

ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 7-6
ATS Record: 10-3
Over/Under: 5-7
Points Scored: 31.9 PPG (45th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 19.2 PPG (10th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 45/1

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 9
Defense: Starters Returning: 6
The power run game returns two 1,000-yard backs (RBs Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins) and QB Brandon Allen (20 TD, 5 INT) is solid. Many stars departed the front seven, and the secondary struggled in SEC play (226 pass YPG).

AUBURN TIGERS

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 4
Defense: Starters Returning: 8
Nick Marshall left, but QBs Jeremy Johnson (9 TD, 2 INT career) and Brandon Harris (6 TD, 2 INT career) are better passers in the spread offense. The RB stable is deep. New DC Will Muschamp has tackling machine LB Cassanova McKinzy (91) and star CB Jonathan Jones (6 INT).

FLORIDA GATORS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 7-5
ATS Record: 7-5
Over/Under: 8-4
Points Scored: 30.3 PPG (56th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 21.1 PPG (20th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 100/1

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 4
Defense: Starters Returning: 6
New head coach Jim McElwain is leaning towards freshman QB Will Grier to start. WR Demarcus Robinson (821 rec yds) and RB Kelvin Taylor (565 rush yds) are productive. New DC Geoff Collins (Miss St) inherits an excellent defense.

GEORGIA BULLDOGS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 10-3
ATS Record: 8-5
Over/Under: 9-4
Points Scored: 41.3 PPG (8th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 20.7 PPG (16th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 35/1

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 7
Defense: Starters Returning: 6
QB Brice Ramsey (8.5 YPA) should start for new OC Brian Schottenheimer, who will rely heavily on RB Nick Chubb (1,547 rush yds, 14 TD). OLB Leonard Floyd (6 sacks) and S Quincy Mauger (4 INT) headline a strong defense.

KENTUCKY BULLDOGS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 5-7
ATS Record: 7-5
Over/Under: 8-4
Points Scored: 29.2 PPG (62nd in FBS)
Points Allowed: 31.3 PPG (95th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 500/1

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 7
Defense: Starters Returning: 7
New OC Shannon Dawson (WVU) will keep the offense pass-happy with QB Patrick Towles (6.9 YPA). RB Boom Williams (6.6 YPC) is a future star. Despite LB Josh Forrest (110 tackles) and S A.J. Stamps (4 INT), the defense needs work.

LSU TIGERS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 8-5
ATS Record: 8-5
Over/Under: 5-7
Points Scored: 27.6 PPG (76th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 17.5 PPG (5th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 28/1

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 9
Defense: Starters Returning: 6
LSU’s offense will go only as far as RB Leonard Fournette (1,034 rush yds, 10 TD) goes. New DC Kevin Steele (Alabama) isn’t blessed with front-seven stars, but the depth is excellent. CB Tre’Davious White (2 INT) leads a stellar secondary.

MISSISSIPPI REBELS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 9-4
ATS Record: 8-5
Over/Under: 2-10
Points Scored: 28.3 PPG (70th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 16.0 PPG (1st in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 50/1

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 9
Defense: Starters Returning: 7
The starting QB job will be one of three players (Ryan Buchanan, DeVante Kincade, Chad Kelly) to target now-healthy WR Laquon Treadwell (632 rec yds). DT Robert Nkemdiche (35 tackles) leads an outstanding 4-2-5 defense.

MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 10-3
ATS Record: 7-6
Over/Under: 6-7
Points Scored: 36.9 PPG (16th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 21.7 PPG (23rd in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 110/1

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 5
Defense: Starters Returning: 4
QB Dak Prescott (3,449 pass yds, 27 TD; 986 rush yds, 14 TD) is the star of an offense stacked with capable skill players. The front seven lost plenty, but shutdown CBs Taveze Calhoun (9 PBU) and Will Redmond (3 INT) remain.

MISSOURI TIGERS

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 7
Defense: Starters Returning: 6
Inconsistent QB Maty Mauk (6.4 YPA) lost his top four receivers, but has RB Russell Hansbrough (1,084 rush yds) to rush the ball. Missouri’s D-Line is weak, but the back seven is strong, headlined by LB Kentrell Brothers (122 tackles).

SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 7-6
ATS Record: 5-7
Over/Under: 6-6
Points Scored: 32.6 PPG (42nd in FBS)
Points Allowed: 30.4 PPG (91st in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 300/1

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 4
Defense: Starters Returning: 8
WR Pharoh Cooper (1,136 rec yds) will likely catch balls from sophomore QB Connor Mitch. RB Brandon Wilds (5.4 YPC) will carry the mail. LB Skai Moore (93 tackles) and 325-pound DT Gerald Dixon propel a rising defense.

TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 7-6
ATS Record: 7-6
Over/Under: 6-6
Points Scored: 28.9 PPG (65th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 24.2 PPG (36th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 60/1

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 9
Defense: Starters Returning: 8
Dual-threat QB Joshua Dobbs (1,675 total yds in 6 G) loves WR Pig Howard (618 rec yds) and RB Jalen Hurd (1,120 total yds). The defense will be tough again with LB/DL Curt Maggitt (11 sacks) and CB Cameron Sutton (13 PBU) returning.

TEXAS A&M AGGIES

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 8-5
ATS Record: 5-8
Over/Under: 6-6
Points Scored: 35.2 PPG (28th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 28.1 PPG (77th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 80/1

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 8
Defense: Starters Returning: 7
Whoever starts between QBs Kyle Allen (16 TD, 7 INT) and Kyler Murray will have great weapons like WR Josh Reynolds (842 rec yds, 13 TD) and RB Tra Carson (4.7 YPC). New DC John Chavis (LSU) inherits a defense with plenty of upside.

VANDERBILT COMMODORES

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 3-9
ATS Record: 6-6
Over/Under: 5-7
Points Scored: 17.2 PPG (119th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 33.3 PPG (106th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field)

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 9
Defense: Starters Returning: 9
RB Ralph Webb (907 rush yds) and TE Steven Scheu (525 rec yds) shine within a putrid offense (288 YPG, 4th-worst in FBS) led by subpar QBs Patton Robinette and Johnny McCray. The 3-4 defense (33.3 PPG) is void of stars.