As we head towards another college football season, one of the questions being pondered by pundits is whether or not the Southeastern Conference can send another representative to the National Championship. And if this squad can win it we'll have the sixth national title for the conference in as many years.

In the East, Florida hopes to return to prominence after a non-characteristic 8-5 season in Urban Meyer's swansong. Georgia had some relative success despite missing their top playmaker for the first four games of the season while starting a quarterback who had never thrown a pass in a collegiate game. The Bulldogs will look to replace the impact and production of those lost to the NFL while also bolstering their 3-4 defense. South Carolina has all the parts to head back to the SEC title game after riding their freshman phenom all the way to Atlanta. The rest of the East division is most likely not going to challenge for the divisional crown, but Tennessee will certainly light up the scoreboard and Kentucky will pull out the surprise win from time to time. As for Vandy, they are still Vandy but new admiral James Franklin is burning up the recruiting trail and changing the attitude for the ‘Dores.

Florida

2010 Record: 8-5
2010 Offensive Rank (out of 120): 43rd
2010 Defensive Rank (out of 120): 29th
Base Offense: Pro-Style
Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 7/3
Significant Losses: WR Carl Moore, C Mike Pouncey, P/K Chas Henry, S Ahmad Black, S Will Hill, HC Urban Meyer
Newcomer of Note: The star of the spring was undoubtedly redshirt freshman wide receiver Quinton Dunbar. Dunbar drew praise from new head coach Will Muschamp as he was one of the most consistent downfield threats for the Gators. In the spring game, Dunbar showed that deep speed as he had two catches for 45 yards which prompted Muschamp to say “Dunbar has made more big plays than anyone else.” Despite his struggles last season, John Brantley does have a big arm and should connect with Dunbar more than a few times this fall.

2011 Thoughts: John Brantley enters 2011 as the starter for the Gators and can only get better after tossing just nine touchdowns and 10 picks a season ago. He will no longer be forced to run the spread option and will be in a more friendly pro-style attack led by Charlie Weis. The biggest holdover from the previous regime is arguably the fastest backfield in all of college football. The new offense puts a premium on bigger backs but there is no doubting the gamebreaking ability of Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps. The receivers are just as fast but the coaching staff needs a few of them to step forward and be consistent targets for Brantley. Dunbar shined during the spring and there are quality options at tight end in Jordan Reed and Trey Burton.

Final Analysis: As bad as the 2010 season was for the Gators, they were still an eight-win team. They have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball and should turn the corner under head coach Will Muschamp. New offensive coordinator Charlie Weis will work his magic on Brantley while he has a bevy of speedsters to distribute the ball to. Defensively, the Gators will be strong with one of the deepest defensive lines in football and a strong secondary. As long as the players can pick up the new systems in place, they should match last season's win total.

Georgia

2010 Record: 6-7
2010 Offensive Rank (out of 120): 30th
2010 Defensive Rank (out of 120): 36th
Base Offense: Pro-Style
Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 4/7
Significant Losses: RB Washaun Ealey, WR A.J. Green, WR Kris Durham, K Blair Walsh, OT Clint Boling, LB Justin Houston, LB Akeem Dent
Newcomer of Note: The running back situation for the Bulldogs has become a perfect storm of sorts for incoming freshman Isaiah Crowell. Caleb King was having trouble with his academics while Washaun Ealey just couldn't stay out of trouble off the field. Ealey ended up transferring to Jacksonville State and now it seems like the road has been paved for Crowell in Athens. If Crowell doesn't get the start against Boise State, he will certainly log some carries and the starting job will soon be his.

2011 Thoughts: Heading into last season, the player who had the most pass attempts for the Bulldogs was quarterback-turned-receiver Logan Gray. In stepped redshirt freshman Aaron Murray who had one of the best freshman seasons in Georgia Bulldog history. Murray threw for over 3,000 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just eight picks. Murray is back and should be even better but the question is whether or not the run game can consistently produce and if the receiving corps can help ease the loss of NFL first-rounder A.J. Green. With Ealey bolting to the FCS ranks, that leaves King and super frosh Crowell in the backfield. Look for Crowell to revive the dormant ground game and likely eclipse 1,000 yards in his debut season. As for the receiving corps, it will take more than one guy to replace Green but there is hope in Tavarres King, Rantavious Wooten, an improved Marlon Brown, and Murray's high school teammate, tight end Orson Charles. Last year it was Green who helped Murray look good at times, but this season it will be the quarterback making his receivers look better.

Final Analysis: The Bulldog offense has some nice weapons and should be able to run with anyone in the SEC. What will be the difference between last year's losing record and a 9-win season will be whether or not the 3-4 defense clicks this year. At times last year, the defense looked good but gave up too many big passing plays, couldn't consistently stop the run and is now without sack master Justin Houston. The secondary is seasoned but still needs to work on limiting explosive plays. At linebacker there is speed and some pass rushing talent. The lynchpin of the defense will be JUCO nose tackle Johnathan Jenkins. If he can be the anchor that the 3-4 needs, the Bulldogs will be a force to reckon with.

South Carolina

2010 Record: 9-5
2010 Offensive Rank (out of 120): 38th
2010 Defensive Rank (out of 120): 43rd
Base Offense: Pro-Style
Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 7/6
Significant Losses: RB Brian Maddox, WR Tori Gurley, Patrick DiMarco, DB Chris Culliver Newcomer of Note: Anytime a team locks down the top high school player in the country, he is expected to contribute from Day One. Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is a long, rangy pass rusher who should immediately team up with fellow quarterback hasslers Devin Taylor and Melvin Ingram to form one of the best front fours in the country.

2011 Thoughts: I will be the first to admit that I ate crow as Marcus Lattimore tore up opposing defenses. I thought the combination of Steve Spurrier's Fun ‘n Gun days and the offensive line woes would doom any Gamecock back from ever reaching the 1,000-yard plateau. Lattimore made the line look real good at times as he ran with an unmatched strength and toughness through some of the SEC's stingiest defenses. Stephen Garcia is back from his fifth suspension and should improve upon last year's numbers. Look for Garcia to be a better distributor of the ball instead of just locking in on Alshon Jeffery every passing play. Jeffery will certainly still get his looks as he is arguably the best jump ball target in the nation.

Final Analysis: The key to a second trip to the SEC title game rests on both sides of the ball for the Gamecocks. Offensively, Garcia needs to cut down on mistakes and be a more efficient signal caller. Defensively, the pass rush is in fine hands but the defensive backs needs to tighten coverage and quit giving up the big play. If these concepts can materialize on the gridiron, and they should, Spurrier and Co. could be headed back to Atlanta.

Kentucky

2010 Record: 6-7
2010 Offensive Rank (out of 120): 34th
2010 Defensive Rank (out of 120): 72nd
Base Offense: Pro-Style
Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 5/8
Significant Losses: QB Mike Hartline, RB Derrick Locke, WR Randall Cobb, WR Chris Matthews
Newcomer of Note: The quarterback for the Wildcats will be Morgan Newton as long as he has eligibility, but with the graduation of Mike Hartline and Ryan Massakowski transferring, the Cats needed some immediate depth to develop. True freshman Maxwell Smith stepped up during the spring and vaulted himself into the backup role behind Newton. Smith is a prototypical pocket-passer who in the spring game completed 10-of-21 passes for 99 yards, one touchdown, and an interception.

2011 Thoughts: The Kentucky offense never really scared anyone last year but they lost quite a few playmakers. Anytime you lose your top passer, rusher, and top two receivers, you are in for a rebuilding year. For the departed Hartline, in steps dual-threat quarterback Morgan Newton who is no spring chicken after starting a handful of games in the past two years, including both of the team's bowl games. In the backfield is Raymond Sanders who, while backing up Locke and sharing carries with Cobb, had a respectable freshman season. At times, Sanders invoked visions of Rafael Little. The top returning target for Newton will be La'Rod King who could feasibly double his production from last year.

Final Analysis: Ever since Andre Woodson left campus, the one thing that sticks out is that they are “masters of nothing.” That is to say that every year the Wildcat football team seems to scrape by with a team that has a few playmakers but doesn't turn your head on offense or defense. With all of the attrition, especially on offense, this year will be deemed a success if they can reach a bowl game, although that may be easier said than done.

Tennessee

2010 Record: 6-7
2010 Offensive Rank (out of 120): 58th
2010 Defensive Rank (out of 120): 56th
Base Offense: Power I
Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 7/6
Significant Losses: WR Gerald Jones, WR Denarius Moore, TE Luke Stocker, K Daniel Lincoln
Newcomer of Note: Center Alex Bullard started his college career at Notre Dame but transferred to Tennessee before ever making a snap. Bullard is a bruising run blocker and will challenge James Stone to be the starting center for the Vols. Bullard is versatile enough to play any position on the interior of the line which will allow him to see snaps early.

2011 Thoughts: Tennessee started off the Dooley era kind of rough with less than stellar quarterbacking from Matt Simms and a defense that couldn't catch its breath at times. Simms is still around but the quarterback duties fall squarely on the shoulders of sophomore signal caller Tyler Bray. Bray impressed thoroughly as a freshman and should enjoy a fruitful career in Knoxville. Bray has a big arm and therefore has some incredible vertical threats to uncork passes to in Justin Hunter and Da'Rick Rogers. Hunter showed flashes of brilliance late last year and should be one of the top receivers in his conference. In the backfield, Tauren Poole made Volunteer Nation wonder why he hadn't seen the field earlier as he rushed for over 1,000 yards on just over 200 carries.

Final Analysis: Derek Dooley enters his second year at the helm of the Volunteers and has all the pieces in place to push for an eight or nine win season. The Vols have young stars at quarterback and receiver and should be able to score with most anyone in the SEC. Defensively, they need to shore up the linebacking corps but against the pass, they have one of the best secondaries in the conference. Dooley is building a solid program in Knoxville and should enjoy some success in 2011.

Vanderbilt

2010 Record: 2-10
2010 Offensive Rank (out of 120): 112th
2010 Defensive Rank (out of 120): 94th
Base Offense: Pro-Style
Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 11/8
Significant Losses: HC Robbie Caldwell
Newcomer of Note: The Commodores are the only team in the FBS ranks to return all eleven of there offensive starters but they also have no early enrollees or junior college transfers. With that being said, new head coach James Franklin would be the biggest newcomer in Nashville. Franklin comes from Maryland where he was the offensive coordinator and the quarterback coach. Franklin's presence should help develop Larry Smith and Jordan Rodgers as well as utilizing some upcoming talent at receiver.

2011 Thoughts: Vandy hasn't had much in the line of offensive firepower since Jay Cutler was taking classes in Nashville, but that doesn't mean that the Commodores are without hope. Quarterback Larry Smith is back for what seems like his tenth year and under new head coach James Franklin, could finally provide some consistency in the passing game. If Smith falters, Franklin can always decide to go to Jordan Rodgers. The backfield is one of the deepest units in all of the Southeastern Conference and you have to believe that Franklin will gameplan ways to get Warren Norman, Zac Stacy, and Wesley Tate touches. Norman has been a dynamo since he stepped on campus but needs to stay healthy while Tate is finally healthy and showed off his power and speed during the spring. The receiving corps is loaded with talent if not necessarily with productivity. Jordan Matthews is primed for a breakout year after finishing last season with four touchdowns on just 15 grabs. The one consistent offensive threat for the ‘Dores is senior tight end Brandon Barden.

Final Analysis: Once again the Commodores will be hard pressed to win more than four games but the cupboards are not entirely bare for the new head coach. If he can get some sort of offensive consistency and improve the anemic pass rush, Vanderbilt could be on the rise.