2015-16 College Football Preview: SEC (West Division)

We've finally reached the end of the 2015-16 Ultimate Sports Blog's College Football Preview! It's been a long three weeks (trust me, I've had to preview over 120 college football teams) but we have finally arrived at the last stop! It's kind of fitting that we end things with the division that considers itself the "Kings of College Football". There's no denying the strength and power of the SEC West. The division has won multiple National Championships. They have numerous players in the NFL. And they are arguably the toughest division in college football (right alongside the PAC-12 South). See, what I mean? "Kings of College Football" indeed. 

So, with all that said. Who wins the division and how will the other teams fare this year? Let's take a look.....

The Ultimate Sports Blog's

2015-16 College Football Preview

SEC

West Division

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

2014 Record: 12-2 (7-1)


Head Coach: Nick Saban (91-17 all-time at Alabama, 182-59-1 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 29 (277.9 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 37 (206.6 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 16 (36.9 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 6 (18.4 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Blake Sims (3,487 passing yards, 64.5% completions, 28 TD's, 10 INT's)

Rushing - Derrick Henry (172 carries, 990 rushing yards, 11 TD's)

Receiving - Amari Cooper (124 receptions, 1,727 receiving yards, 16 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Derrick Henry (RB), O.J. Kelly (TE), Ryan Kelly (C), Cam Robinson (LT), Jonathan Allen (DE), Jarran Reed (DE), A'Shawn Robinson (DT), Reggie Ragland (LB), Reuben Foster (LB), Denzel Devall (LB), Cyrus Jones (CB), Tony Brown (CB), Eddie Jackson (SS), Adam Griffith (K), J.K. Scott (P)


Top Incoming Players: Blake Barnett (QB), Damien Harris (RB), DeSherrius Flowers (RB), Calvin Ridley (WR), Daylon Charlot (WR), Hale Hentges (TE), Lester Cotton (OL), Richie Petitbon (OL), Daron Payne (DL), Mekhi Brown (LB), Adonis Thomas (LB), Kendall Sheffield (DB), Minkah Fitzpatrick (DB), Deionte Thompson (DB), Shawn Burgess-Becker (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Wisconsin
vs. Middle Tennessee
vs. Ole Miss
vs. ULM
vs. @ Georgia
vs. Arkansas
vs. @ Texas A&M
vs. Tennessee
BYE WEEK
vs. LSU
vs. @ Mississippi State
vs. Charleston Southern
vs. @ Auburn
BYE WEEK

Early Prediction: 10-2 (6-2)

2. Ole Miss Rebels

2014 Record: 9-4 (5-3)


Head Coach: Hugh Freeze (24-15 all-time at Ole Miss, 34-17 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 38 (263.6 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 75 (155.5 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 70 (28.3 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 1 (16.0 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Bo Wallace (3,194 passing yards, 60.1% completions, 22 TD's, 14 INT's)

Rushing - Jaylen Walton (106 carries, 586 rushing yards, 5 TD's)

Receiving - Vince Sanders (39 receptions, 696 receiving yards, 6 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Jaylen Walton (RB), Cody Core (WR), Laquon Treadwell (WR), Evan Engram (TE), Ben Still (C), Justin Bell (RG), Aaron Morris (LG), Fahn Cooper (RT), Laremy Tunsil (LT), Robert Nkemdiche (DT), Marquis Haynes (DE), C.J. Johnson (LB), Denzel Nkemdiche (LB), Tony Conner (LB), Tony Bridges (CB), Trae Elston (S), Gary Wunderlich (K), Will Gleeson (P)


Top Incoming Players: Chad Kelly (QB), Jason Pellerin (QB), Eric Swinney (RB), DaMarkus Lodge (WR), Van Jefferson (WR), Willie Hibbler (TE), Javon Patterson (OL), D.J. Jones (DL), Tony Bridges (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. UT Martin
vs. Fresno State
vs. @ Alabama
vs. Vanderbilt
vs. @ Florida
vs. New Mexico State
vs. @ Memphis
vs. Texas A&M
vs. @ Auburn
vs. Arkansas
BYE WEEK
vs. LSU
vs. @ Mississippi State
BYE WEEK

Early Prediction: 10-2 (6-2)

3. LSU Tigers

2014 Record: 8-5 (4-4)


Head Coach: Les Miles (103-29 all-time at LSU, 131-50 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 116 (162.9 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 25 (224.5 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 76 (27.6 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 5 (17.5 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Anthony Jennings (1,611 passing yards, 48.9% completions, 11 TD's, 7 INT's)

Rushing - Leonard Fournette (187 carries, 1,034 rushing yards, 10 TD's)

Receiving - Travin Dural (37 receptions, 758 receiving yards, 7 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Brandon Harris (QB), Leonard Fournette (RB), John Diarse (WR), Travin Dural (WR), Malachi Dupree (WR), Dillon Gordon (TE), Ethan Pocic (LG), Vadal Alexander (RT), Jerald Hawkins (LT), Christian LaCouture (DL), Davon Godchaux (DL), Lamar Louis (LB), Kendell Beckwith (LB), Tre'Davious White (CB), Jalen Mills (S), Coldy Delahoussaye (K), Jamie Keehn (P)


Top Incoming Players: Derrius Guice (RB), Nick Brossette (RB), David Ducre (RB), Tyron Johnson (WR), Derrick Dillon (WR), Brandon Martin (WR), Jazz Ferguson (WR), Bry'Kiethon Mouton (TE), Hanner Shipley (TE), Maea Teuhema (OL), Chidi Valentine-Okeke (OL), Toby Weathersby (OL), Adren Key (DL), Kevin Toliver (DB), Jeremy Cutrer (DB), Donte Jackson (DB), Xavier Lewis (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. McNeese State
vs. @ Mississippi State
vs. Auburn
vs. @ Syracuse
vs. Eastern Michigan
vs. @ South Carolina
vs. Florida
vs. Western Kentucky
BYE WEEK
vs. @ Alabama
vs. Arkansas
vs. @ Ole Miss
vs. Texas A&M
BYE WEEK

Early Prediction: 10-2 (6-2)

4. Auburn Tigers

2014 Record: 9-3 (4-4)


Head Coach: Gus Malazahn (20-7 all-time at Auburn, 29-10 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 67 (229.5 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 14 (255.5 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 27 (35.5 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 63 (26.7 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Nick Marshall (2,532 passing yards, 60.8% completions, 20 TD's, 7 INT's)

Rushing - Cameron Artis-Payne (303 carries, 1,608 rushing yards, 13 TD's)

Receiving - Sammie Coates (34 receptions, 741 receiving yards, 4 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Jeremy Johnson (QB), D'haquille Williams (WR), Alex Kozan (LG), Avery Young (RG), Shon Coleman (LT), DaVonte Lambert (DL), Montravius Adams (DL), Carl Lawson (LB), Kris Frost (LB), Cassanova McKinzy (LB), Joshua Holsey (CB), Jonathan Jones (CB), Johnathan Ford (S), Daniel Carlson (K), Ian Shannon (P)


Top Incoming Players: Jason Smith (QB), Tyler Queen (QB), Jovon Robinson (RB), Kerryon Johnson (RB), Javaris Davis (RB), Darius Slayton (WR), Ryan Davis (WR), Chandler Cox (TE), Tyler Carr (OL), Kaleb Kim (OL), Marquel Harrell (OL), Byron Cowart (DL), Maurice Swain (DL), Jeff Holland (LB), Richard McBryde (LB), Darrell Williams (LB), Jordan Colbert (DB), Tim Irvin (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Louisville
vs. Jacksonville State
vs. @ LSU
vs. Mississippi State
vs. San Jose State
BYE WEEK
vs. @ Kentucky
vs. @ Arkansas
vs. Ole Miss
vs. @ Texas A&M
vs. Georgia
vs. Idaho
vs. Alabama
BYE WEEK

Early Prediction: 9-3 (5-3)

5. Arkansas Razorbacks

2014 Record: 7-6 (2-6)


Head Coach: Bret Bielema (10-15 all-time at Arkansas, 78-39 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 102 (188.0 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 26 (218.0 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 45 (31.9 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 10 (19.2 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Brandon Allen (2,285 passing yards, 56.0% completions, 20 TD's, 5 INT's)

Rushing - Jonathan Williams (211 carries, 1,190 rushing yards, 12 TD's)

Receiving - Keon Hatcher (43 receptions, 558 receiving yards, 6 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Brandon Allen (QB), Jonathan Williams (RB), Alex Collins (RB), Keon Hatcher (WR), Hunter Henry (TE), Mitch Smothers (C), Sebastian Tretola (LG), Dan Skipper (RT), Denver Kirkland (LT), JaMichael Washington (DE), Taiwan Johnson (DT), Brooks Ellis (LB), Jared Collins (CB), D.J. Dean (CB), Rohan Gaines (SS), Cole Hedlund (K)


Top Incoming Players: Ty Storey (QB), Rawleigh Williams (RB), Dominique Reed (WR), La'Michael Pettway (WR), Deon Stewart (WR), Will Gragg (TE), C.J. O'Grady (TE), Austin Cantrell (TE), Jalen Merrick (OL), Zach Rogers (OL), Jeremiah Ledbetter (DL), Jamario Bell (DL), Dre Greenlaw (LB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. UTEP
vs. Toledo
vs. Texas Tech
vs. Texas A&M
vs. @ Tennessee
vs. @ Alabama
BYE WEEK
vs. Auburn
vs. UT Martin
vs. @ Ole Miss
vs. @ LSU
vs. Mississippi State
vs. Missouri
BYE WEEK

Early Prediction: 8-4 (4-4)

6. Texas A&M Aggies

2014 Record: 8-5 (3-5)


Head Coach: Kevin Sumlin (28-11 all-time at Texas A&M, 63-28 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 12 (305.5 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 84 (149.9 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 28 (35.2 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 77 (28.1 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Kenny Hill (2,649 passing yards, 66.7% completions, 23 TD's, 8 INT's)

Rushing - Tra Carson (124 carries, 581 rushing yards, 5 TD's)

Receiving - Josh Reynolds (52 receptions, 842 receiving yards, 13 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Kyle Allen (QB), Tra Carson (RB), Speedy Noil (WR), Josh Reynolds (WR), Ricky Seals-Jones (WR), Mike Matthews (C), Joseph Cheek (RG), Germain Ifedi (RT), Daeshon Hall (DE), Myles Garrett (DE), Hardreck Walker (DT), Alonzo Williams (DT), Shaan Washington (LB), De'Vante Harris (CB), Armani Watts (SS), Drew Kaser (P)


Top Incoming Players: Kyler Murray (QB), Jay Bradford (RB), Kendall Bussey (RB), Christian Kirk (WR), Kemah Siverand (WR), Jordan Davis (TE), Trevor Elbert (OL), Keaton Sutherland (OL), Connor Lanfear (OL), Daylon Mack (DL), James Lockhart (DL), Justin Evans (DB), Justin Dunning (DB), Larry Pryor (DB), Roney Elam (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Arizona State
vs. Ball State
vs. Nevada
vs. Arkansas
vs. Mississippi State
BYE WEEK
vs. Alabama
vs. @ Ole Miss
vs. South Carolina
vs. Auburn
vs. Western Carolina
vs. @ Vanderbilt
vs. @ LSU
BYE WEEK

Early Prediction: 6-6 (3-5)

7. Mississippi State Bulldogs

2014 Record: 10-3 (6-2)


Head Coach: Dan Mullen (46-31 all-time)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 23 (280.7 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 23 (233.1 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 17 (36.9 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 23 (21.7 ppg)

2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Dak Prescott (3,449 passing yards, 61.6% completions, 27 TD's, 11 INT's)

Rushing - Josh Robinson (190 carries, 1,203 rushing yards, 11 TD's)

Receiving - De'Runnya Wilson (47 receptions, 680 receiving yards, 9 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Dak Prescott (QB), De'Runnya Wilson (WR), Justin Malone (LG), Justin Senior (RT), Ryan Brown (DE), Chris Jones (DT), Beniquez Brown (LB), Will Redmond (CB), Taveze Calhoun (CB), Devon Bell (P)


Top Incoming Players: Malik Dear (RB), Nick Gibson (RB), Donald Gray (WR), Martinas Rankin (OL), Johnathan Calvin (DL), Fletcher Adams (DL), Leo Lewis (LB), Traver Jung (LB), Tim Washington (LB), Jamal Peters (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. @ Southern Mississippi
vs. LSU
vs. Northwestern State
vs. @ Auburn
vs. @ Texas A&M
vs. Troy
vs. Louisiana Tech
vs. Kentucky
BYE WEEK
vs. @ Missouri
vs. Alabama
vs. @ Arkansas
vs. Ole Miss
BYE WEEK

Early Prediction: 5-7 (1-7)

SEC West Division's Potential NFL Talent:

(These are guys playing in the conference this year who are already on NFL team's radars)

Dak Prescott - QB (Mississippi State)

Jeremy Johnson - QB (Auburn)

Brandon Allen - QB (Arkansas)

Jake Coker - QB (Alabama)

Derrick Henry - RB (Alabama)

Alex Collins - RB (Arkansas)

Jonathan Williams - RB (Arkansas)

Jovon Robinson - RB (Auburn)

Laquon Treadwell - WR (Ole Miss)

Duke Williams - WR (Auburn)

Travin Dural - WR (LSU)

De'Runnya Wilson - WR (Mississippi State)

Evan Engram - TE (Ole Miss)

O.J. Howard - TE (Alabama)

Hunter Henry - TE (Arkansas)

Dillon Gordon - TE (LSU)

Ryan Kelly - C (Alabama)

Ethan Pocic - C (LSU)

Mike Matthews - C (Texas A&M)

Vadal Alexander - OG (LSU)

Alex Kozan - OG (Auburn)

Aaron Morris - OG (Ole Miss)

Joseph Cheek - OG (Texas A&M)

Sebastian Tretola - OG (Arkansas)

Laremy Tunsil - OT (Ole Miss)

Avery Young - OT (Auburn)

Germain Ifedi - OT (Texas A&M)

Dan Skipper - OT (Arkansas)

Denver Kirkland - OT (Arkansas)

Jerald Hawkins - OT (LSU)

Carl Lawson - DE (Auburn)

Jonathan Allen - DE (Alabama)

Jarran Reed - DE (Alabama)

A'Shawn Robinson - DT (Alabama)

Robert Nkemdiche - DT (Ole Miss)

Chris Jones - DT (Mississippi State)

Montravius Adams - DT (Auburn)

Kris Frost - LB (Auburn)

Reggie Ragland - LB (Alabama)

Cassanova McKinzy - LB (Auburn)

Kendell Beckwith - LB (LSU)

Reuben Foster - LB (Alabama)

C.J. Johnson - LB (Ole Miss)

Will Redmond - CB (Mississippi State)

Jonathan Jones - CB (Auburn)

Cyrus Jones - CB (Alabama)

Jalen Mills - S (LSU)

Eddie Jackson - S (Alabama)

Tony Conner - S (Ole Miss)

J.K. Scott - P (Alabama)