Foes gunning for Gators

From a pair of one-point wins over Tennessee and South Carolina to UCLA’s upset win over Southern California in the regular-season finale, everything fell into place for Urban Meyer’s squad in 2006. Gainesville can now claim to be ‘Title Town,’ but the Gators soon may find that staying atop the college football world is a lot more difficult than getting there.

Florida Gators

n Head Coach: Urban Meyer (61-12). n 2006 Record 13-1 (7-1 SEC). n Key Returnees: QB Tim Tebow, RB Kestahn Moore, WR Andre Caldwell, WR Percy Harvin, T Carlton Medder, G Jim Tartt, G/C Drew Miller, DE Derrick Harvey, SS Tony Joiner. n Prediction: 11-1 (7-1).

Quarterback Tim Tebow used his hard-nosed running and 1937-style jump passes to become a Florida folk hero last season. Unlike four-year starter Chris Leak, Tebow appears to be the perfect player for Urban Meyer’s style of offense. Meyer would like to get double-digit touches from sophomore Percy Harvin in each game this season, and he expects Andre Caldwell, the team’s other starting receiver, to have a spectacular senior year. Having lost 10 of its top 12 tacklers to graduation and the NFL draft, Florida’s repeat hopes hinge on the offense.

Georgia Bulldogs

n Head Coach: Mark Richt (61-17). n 2006 Record: 9-4 (4-4 SEC). n Key Returnees: QB Matthew Stafford, FB Brannan Southerland, RB Kregg Lumpkin, WR Mohamed Massaquoi, WR A.J. Bryant, C/G Fernando Velasco, G/T Chester Adams, K Brandon Coutu, DT Jeff Owens, CB Bryan Evans, CB Asher Allen, SS Kelin Johnson. n Prediction: 10-2 (6-2).

After giving up a total of 34 points in its first five games, Georgia suffered a meltdown in the second half of a 51-33 loss to Tennessee. The Bulldogs lost three of their next four games, with the lone win being a 27-24 decision over Mississippi State. Despite the loss of several key players, the defensive front seven should be among the league’s best. Expect the secondary to follow the lead of senior Kelin Johnson. Matthew Stafford struggled early in his freshman season, throwing 12 of his 13 interceptions in his first eight starts. However, Stafford was able to turn it around, and he led the Bulldogs to three straight wins, including a Peach Bowl-victory over a Virginia Tech squad that finished the season ranked first nationally in passing defense and total defense.

Tennessee Volunteers

n Head Coach: Phillip Fulmer (137-41). n 2006 Record: 9-4 (5-3 SEC). n Key Returnees: QB Erik Ainge, TE Chris Brown, TE Brad Cottam, C Josh McNeil, G Anthony Parker, T Eric Young, DE Xavier Mitchell, DE Antonio Reynolds, LB Ryan Karl, LB Jerod Mayo, FS/PR Jonathan Hefney, P Britton Colquitt. n Prediction: 10-2 (6-2).

Former Ole Miss head coach David Cutcliffe returned to Knoxville last season to serve as the Volunteers’ offensive coordinator, and Erik Ainge flourished. Ainge, the SEC Freshman of the Year in 2004, completed a school-record 67 percent of his passes for 2,989 yards and 19 touchdowns. Ainge’s numbers may suffer a bit of a drop-off this season with the loss of top receivers Jayson Swain and Robert Meachem. The running game, which struggled last season, was dealt another blow earlier this month when LaMarcus Coker was suspended from the team. The front four does not appear to be on par with the rest of the defense, so look for free safety Jonathan Hefney and linebacker Jerod Mayo to put up big numbers again.

South Carolina Gamecocks

n Head Coach: Steve Spurrier (157-50-2). n 2006 Record: 8-5 (3-5 SEC). n Key Returnees: QB Blake Mitchell, RB Cory Boyd, WR Kenny McKinley, T Jamon Meredith, T Justin Sorenson, DE Casper Brinkley, DT Nathan Pepper, DT Joel Reaves, LB Jasper Brinkley, LB Rodney Paulk, S Chris Hampton, CB Carlos Thomas, K/P Ryan Succop. n Prediction: 7-5 (4-4).

South Carolina lost four conference games by a touchdown or less in 2006, including a one-point setback at eventual national champion Florida Nov. 11. Quarterback Blake Mitchell is still in Steve Spurrier’s doghouse, and it would not be that much of a surprise to see freshman Stephen Garcia lining up behind center at some point this season. Cory Boyd had 1,229 yards from scrimmage last season, including 406 on 35 receptions. Spurrier must replace his top playmaker in receiver Sidney Rice and the heart of his team, Syvelle Newton, who played quarterback, running back and wide receiver during his senior year. Jasper Brinkley, the team’s top tackler with 107 stops in 2006, is one of 10 returning starters on the defensive side of the ball.

Kentucky Wildcats

n Head Coach: Rich Brooks (108-139-4). n 2006 Record: 8-5 (4-4 SEC). n Key Returnees: QB Andr?? Woodson, RB Rafael Little, WR Keenan Burton, WR Dicky Lyons Jr., T Garry Williams, G Christian Johnson, K Lones Seiber, DT Myron Pryor, DE Jeremy Jarmon, LB Braxton Kelley, LB Wesley Woodyard, LB Johnny Williams, CB Trevard Lindley, SS Roger Williams, FS Marcus McClinton, P Tim Masthay. n Prediction: 6-6 (3-5).

Louisville’s Brian Brohm is not the only Heisman Trophy candidate in the Bluegrass State. Andr?? Woodson, the Wildcats’ senior quarterback, threw for 3,515 yards last season for the Music City Bowl champions, with 31 touchdown passes and just seven interceptions. All four of Woodson’s leading receivers return this season, including Keenan Burton and Dicky Lyons, who combined for 21 touchdowns. Running back Rafael Little battled the injury bug and Kentucky’s ground game suffered as it ranked 101st nationally in yards per game.

Vanderbilt Commodores

n Head Coach: Bobby Johnson (75-79). n 2006 Record: 4-8 (1-7 SEC). n Key Returnees: QB Chris Nickson, RB Cassen Jackson-Garrison, WR/KR Earl Bennett, T Chris Williams, G Ryan Custer, C Hamilton Holliday, G Josh Eames, K Bryant Hahnfeldt, DE Curtis Gatewood, DT Theo Horrocks, LB Jonathan Goff, LB Marcus Buggs, CB D.J. Moore, SS Reshard Langford, FS Ryan Hamilton. n Prediction: 5-7 (2-6).

In his first season as the Commodores’ starting signal-caller, Chris Nickson threw for nearly 2,100 yards and was the team’s leading rusher with 694 yards. Nickson will play behind one of the best offensive lines in school history, and his go-to receiver, Earl Bennett, has earned first-team All-SEC honors from the league coaches the past two seasons. LB Jonathan Goff, who registered a team-best 93 tackles last year, leads the defense.