NCAA football preseason report SEC East: SEC has last five national champs by The Gaming Today’s Mark Mayer

Last season Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton led Auburn to the title, defeating Oregon. Previously it was Alabama (2009), Florida (2008, 2006) and LSU (2007). And it could very easily happen again in 2011 with eight SEC teams ranked in AP’s top 25.

This season begins a new era in Florida football with Will Muschamp taking over as head coach for Urban Meyer, who resigned due to health issues. Meyer more than filled the shoes of Steve Spurrier, who could have walked on water in Gainesville.

Spurrier is now walking tall in Columbia, South Carolina where the Gamecocks enjoyed their greatest football success in school history by defeating Alabama and Florida en route to winning the SEC East.

A developing story is whether Mark Richt can fight off the critics and keep his job at Georgia. Will he? Let’s find out.

GEORGIA (4-8 ATS): The Bulldogs will be challenged right away with the opener at the Georgia Dome against Boise State. The Dawgs are always formidable, but last year’s 6-7 record was the worst of Richt’s 10 years in Athens. Georgia has six starters named preseason first team All-SEC.

S. CAROLINA (7-6 ATS): Expections have never been higher at Carolina, which has not had a losing season since Spurrier arrived in 2004. RB Marcus Lattimore and WR Alshon Jeffery are studs. QB Stephen Garcia is the key, if he can keep from getting suspended again.

FLORIDA (5-6 ATS): Not a single Florida player made first team SEC. That’s news not sitting well in Gainesville. John Brantley could not approach the QB legend that was Tim Tebow. He will be under the gun in 2011 as will Muschamp. Beware of a scorned Gator in the Swamp.

KENTUCKY (6-6 ATS): The Wildcats were 6-7 last year and lost all-purpose RB Randall Cobb to the NFL. That’s huge, especially at a basketball first school. The big obstacle will be Week 4 vs Florida. UK has lost the last three meetings by an average margin of 42 points!

TENNESSEE (6-5 ATS): The Vols are still trying to forget the Lane Kiffin debacle. But Derek Dooley is making strides in returning the Vols to the prominence enjoyed during the Phil Fulmer era. Tennessee doesn’t lack for talent or fan support but is probably a year away.

VANDERBILT (3-9 ATS): The Commodores were 1-6 in the league, but there’s reason for optimism in Nashville. Vandy has 18 starters back, including all 11 on offense. And the team is apparently buying what new coach James Franklin is selling. Could be a bet-on team.

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