It's never too early to talk college football. I'm a Diehard Tennessee fan. I bleed Orange. After last year, I think if you look back far enough David Cutcliffe and Jesus have a common relative somewhere along the line.

Now its time for my bi-annual (on average) reality check. After hearing the predictions of how Tennessee will be in the hunt for an SEC Title for the umpteenth year in a row, I have started to believe the rumors less and less. (Trust me I'm also a Red Sox fan, pessimism is in my blood) While Erik Ainge is returning, we have yet to see him play well consistently and stay healthy for an entire season. Not to mention Tennessee will be heading into the season with an unproven running game, and no returning starters at wide receiver. Not only were the receivers who are supposed to make an impact next year absent from spring practice (insert graduation joke here), they're not even on campus yet.

Here's what worries me. I saw the Patriots last year. They had Tom Brady at quarterback, one the best in the league, but he had a brand new receiving core. The receivers and Brady couldn't get on the same page until pretty late in the year. College football's preseason isn't nearly as long as the NFL's and they play less games in college. Erik Ainge clearly isn't Tom Brady and the SEC is known for its defense. It doesn't seem realistic to predict Ainge will be comfortable with the receivers until atleast half way through the year. Also, Tennessee plays Cal and Florida on the road in their first 3 games. As much as I want to, I just can't see them being near the top of the league next year.

Here is how I see the SEC ending up Next year:

East

1) Florida 2) South Carolina 3) Georgia 4) Tennessee 5) Kentucky 6) Vanderbilt

West

1) LSU 2) Auburn 3) Arkansas 4) Alabama 5) Ole Miss 6)Mississippi State

 Championship Game

LSU over Florida