Sitting around inside all winter usually leaves us with time to ponder the tougher questions of life, at least I know it does for me…
Why did the official mascot of predicting spring time have to be a groundhog? Who decided this? Wouldn’t a puma have been a more accurate weather predictor? And wouldn’t that have been fun to watch them pull a puma out of that box? Why is it still so cold outside; I think that groundhog lied? I thought it was supposed to be incredibly hot all the time Al Gore? What happened to that global warming phenomenon? Do you think I’m going to fit into that Speedo I got on a half price winter sale by the time the spring comes since I’ve been pounding down Cheetos and bratwurst all winter?
Perhaps the questions in each of our minds right now may not be focused on our college fantasy football draft that’s six months away, but the time to begin preparing is now. So heading into spring practice I’m putting the SEC under the college fantasy football microscope for a little Q&A on players and position battles that could have major fantasy implications for the 2010 season.
SEC EAST
Georgia
Question: Who will be throwing to A.J. Green?
Answer: Logan Gray didn’t really impress me last year, Zach Mettenberger is a 6’5” pocket-passer and was recently popped for under-aged drinking, so I’m going with Aaron Murray, who appears to have all the intangibles.
Florida
Question: Is Tim Tebow replaceable?
Answer: John Brantley is the passer everyone accused Tebow of not being; already completing 71 percent of his passes as a Gator and he has tons of talent at receiver/running back. It may not be Tebow-type fantasy numbers, but I think Brantley has a solid fantasy season under center for the Gators.
Kentucky
Question: Will Randall Cobb be the top fantasy receiver in the SEC?
Answer: Cobb was only second to Dexter McCluster in 2009 in fantasy points for a SEC wide receiver. With 447-4 receiving and 573-10 rushing he better be near the top of your receiver draft board.
South Carolina
Question: Can Spurrier finally produce a quarterback in Columbia?
Answer: With four returning offensive linemen, a stable of running backs, and possibly one of the top receivers in the SEC in Alshon Jeffery, even Stephen Garcia may be able to live up to Spurrier's expectations.
Tennessee
Question: Who carries the load at running back now that Bryce Brown is transferring?
Answer: David Oku was going to push for playing time with or without Brown. Now he becomes the man to beat, but Tauren Poole will have something to say about that.
Vanderbilt
Question: Can Vanderbilt have its first 1,000 yard rusher in the BCS era?
Answer: The freshman duo of Warren Norman (783 yards) and Zac Stacy (478 yards) combined for over 1,000 last year, but I wouldn’t run to Vegas betting on those numbers to increase. Vanderbilt hasn’t had a 1,000 yard rusher since 1995.
SEC WEST
Alabama
Question: Will Trent Richardson hurt Mark Ingram’s fantasy value in 2010?
Answer: 2009 should have been answer enough. Richardson gets 145 carries, and Ingram still won the Heisman. Even with Richardson pressing, Ingram is still a top five running back in BCS leagues.
Arkansas
Question: Who will take over for Michael Smith?
Answer: The popular pick is Ronnie Wingo Jr. and although Dennis Johnson and Knile Davis will also be in the mix, I like 6’2” 248lb (4.5 speed) Broderick Green. Petrino’s always liked the big back too…see Louisville.
Auburn
Question: Will Cameron Newton be the opening game starter for Auburn?
Answer: The transfer of Tyrik Rollison pretty much answered this one for us.
LSU
Question: Richard Murphy, Stevan Ridley, Michael Ford, or Spencer Ware...who emerges from the pack?
Answer: I see a redshirt for Ware and a monster season for Ford on the horizon. Ford seems like a Miles-type guy.
Ole Miss
Question: Is there anyone fantasy draft worthy left on the Ole Miss roster?
Answer: Former four-star receiver Patrick Patterson may be the only offensive weapon the Rebels have left.
Mississippi State
Question: Can anyone replace MSU All-Time Leading Rusher Anthony Dixon?
Answer: The majority of the Bulldogs rushing yards may be generated from quarterback Chris Relf if he wins the job. Relf was the second leading rusher in 2009 with 500 yards.