The Southeastern Conference’s East Division is about as wide open as can be following the departure of Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow.But despite being without Tebow for the first time in four years, the Gators should have enough talent to go back to Atlanta for the SEC Championship. Other than Florida, South Carolina has the tools to put together a viable squad to compete with the Gators, while Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Vanderbilt round out the division and will duke it out for the remaining bowl bid opportunities.  Here’s a preview of the SEC East with teams listed in predicted order of finish with predicted records in parenthesis. FLORIDA (10-2)Notable games: Oct. 2 at  Alabama, Nov. 27 at Florida StateWhat to look for: Say farewell to the beloved Tim Tebow and get familiar with the Gators’ new quarterback, John Brantley. The junior has huge shoes to fill, but following another top-ranked recruiting class, Florida is the early favorite to make it to the SEC Championship for the third-straight year.SOUTH CAROLINA (9-3)Notable games: Sept. 11 vs. Georgia, Oct. 30 vs. TennesseeWhat to look for: It’s now or never for Stephen Garcia. The junior quarterback finished last season as the SEC’s second-best signal caller behind Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett and should have a shot to dethrone Florida at the top of the SEC East.  In each of the previous two seasons the Gamecocks have burst out of the gate with 5-2 records in their first seven games, yet only managed to win two games the rest of the way to post back-to-back 7-6 records. GEORGIA (7-5)Notable games: Oct. 30 vs. Florida, Nov. 27 vs. Georgia TechWhat to look for: Fresh off a disappointing 8-5 season, Georgia is amid a transition to a 3-4 defense to spruce up a unit that finished in the bottom half of the SEC.Redshirt freshmen Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger were expected to battle it out to replace Joe Cox at quarterback, but that crumbled after Mettenberger was dismissed from the team for violating team rules. Bulldogs coach Mark Richt needs someone to throw the ball to All-American wide receiver A.J. Green, leaving Murray in competition with junior Logan Gray to lead the Georgia offense.  KENTUCKY  (5-7)Notable games: Sept. 4 at Louisville, Nov. 27 at TennesseeWhat to look for: Randall Cobb. Remember that name because he is probably the only thing you’ll hear associated with the Wildcats. Cobb is a prototypical jack-of-all-trades guy – as the former quarterback splits time at receiver and running back and also handles the team’s kickoff and punt return duties. TENNESSEE (5-7)Notable games: Sept. 11 vs.  Oregon, Oct. 9 vs. GeorgiaWhat to look for: Things can’t be much worse in Rocky Top Nation. Former Louisiana Tech coach  Derek Dooley will somehow try and patch up a disorganized team left by Lane Kiffin. Junior college transfer Matt Simms remains atop the depth chart at quarterback but will be without former No. 1 running back recruit Bryce Brown who transferred to Kansas State. VANDERBILT (4-8)Notable games: Oct. 23 vs. South Carolina, Nov. 6 vs. FloridaWhat to look for: The Commodores may very well have the least -talented team in the SEC. Even so, new coach Robbie Caldwell should help Vanderbilt fans cope with the fact that they haven’t had a winning SEC season since 1982. Caldwell provided entertainment at SEC Media Days in July with his thick country accent and jolly personality, but fans will have to wait until Caldwell and his troops open up with Northwestern on Sept. 4 to see if that can translate to the gridiron.—-
Contact Sean Isabella at [email protected]