East Division

Florida

An offense that revolves around Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow will sizzle, and the addition of running back Emmanuel Moody, a Southern Cal transfer who sat out last season, will add punch. Nine starters return on defense.

Tennessee

The Vols must overcome the loss of offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe and quarterback Erik Ainge, but nine offensive starters are scheduled to return and 2006 regular Demetrice Morley, an academic casualty last season, shores up the secondary. Jonathan Crompton, heir apparent at quarterback, will determine how far Tennessee goes.

South Carolina

New coordinator Brian VanGorder inherits a veteran defense that must improve against the run. Questions for coach Steve Spurrier’s offense included quarterback (is Stephen Garcia the guy?), wide receiver (is there help for Kenny McKinley?) and the line (will a group gel quickly)?

Kentucky

The Wildcats won with offense and now the catalysts, quarterback Andre Woodson and running back Rafael Little, are departing. Kentucky will struggle to match 2007’s production (37 points a game average), and this team must rely on offense to win.

Vanderbilt

A four-game losing streak to end the season vanquished bowl dreams, and the offense will suffer with record-breaking receiver Earl Bennett bolting early for the pros. Still, the Commodores can be dangerous. Ask South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.

West Division

Auburn

The spread offense installed by new coordinator Tony Franklin for the Chick-fil-A Bowl shows promise of giving the Tigers an attack to match their defense. Seventeen starters (eight offense, nine defense) are back, and sophomore quarterback Kodi Burns could be a star of the future.

Alabama

The Crimson Tide spent Nick Saban’s first season on a roller-coaster ride, ending a four-game losing streak, including one to Louisiana-Monroe, with a bowl win. Eight starters on offense, including quarterback John Parker Wilson, and six on defense will be back and experience should make 2008 less turbulent.

Mississippi State

The Bulldogs ended their bowl drought in 2007, beating Auburn and Alabama in the process. Coach Sylvester Croom’s team won with defense, and the offense will get a boost if senior quarterback Michael Henig can stay healthy for a change.

Arkansas

Perhaps college football’s top sideshow will regain a sense of normalcy with coach Houston Nutt gone. Nevertheless, new coach Bobby Petrino faces an imposing challenge if both running stars Darren McFadden and Felix Jones leave early for the pros.

Mississippi

Houston Nutt left off-the-field turmoil for on-the-field turmoil at Mississippi, which brought tough times on itself by firing coach David Cutcliffe after the 2004 season. For sure, Nutt will not inherit running backs to match those he had at Arkansas. Former USC defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix will try to shore up a defense that ranked last in total defense in the SEC.

[More at www.thestate.com]