LSU loaded..loaded…loaded but let's see if the QB rolls. Could go all the way.

Auburn – do not count the war eagles/tigers(?) out if their big D gets rolling and their big backs get holes to run through. They may be overlooked by others' but to others' detriment. They are loaded with talent.

Ole Miss – They have a good solid group returning but there appears to be holes to fill, i.e. O-line (but Markeson is the best O-line/running back coach in the nation so)….. If the pieces fall into place, no injuries, build backups, this team could again be dangerous if Markeson gets the running game going. Austin appears to have the passing game rolling.

Georgia – This team is loaded but w/o an experienced QB they may turn out to be the LSU of 2008. They will do harm to many teams and could be the surprise if their QB gells early.

South Carolina – Coached by what was once thought of as THE smartest and premier college coach in the nation (see what talent does for a coach) South Carolina may be much stronger but yet may lack that great QB (see what the lack of a strong QB does for a coach's reputation. Nolan R use to talk about how coaches are overrated (except for his coaching talent) and talent makes a big difference and we have seen how that was true with his teams falling down during his last 4 years. Sooner or later he is gonna find a QB but it has been a long time in coming.

Tennessee – Wow. Forgot about them! I see them suffering again this year. Not sure how their loud-mouthed freshman coach will do. Father could turn the tide for him because their D was even not bad last year. Freshman coach will be media fodder if he faulters.

-The rest will upset a few people but not do much else.

Predicting without solid facts (no games played) is definately a practice in futility, but interesting if not taken seriously or to Nevada, but here goes:

Missouri State – W Ugh!

Georgia – W Love Nice coach but QB to be developed.

Alabama – L Could go either way depending upon their new QB and Hogs D.

TAM – W TAM is better but Hogs should win going away. I hate it that Hogs wimped out of the Texas Longhorn game for this year.

Auburn – W But if their seasoned QBs gell under the system, all bets are off. Talent is very good. This is another one Coach P would love to win.

Florida – L Nuff said.

Ole Miss – L I do not see the defense stepping up. On the positive side, Oxford, however, is not a hostile place for other teams to play so the home field advantage is nil. That is a plus for the pigs, but honestly, this might not be close.

Eastern Mich – L Ugh! UCA could destroy this team. Go Bears.

South Carolina -W They likely will be much improved if QB gells. So much for having a premier coach that Hog fans would have killed for in years past.

Troy – W A trap game but Coach P knows the system too well to lose.

Miss State – W (Who knows how the dogs will perform..they go up/down.

LSU – L Hogs could win there if their QB does not perform up to what I think he will. If LSU had gone for the running game more last year they would have been tougher.

8-4 BUT if D improves significantly and offense rolls as expected with a year under their belt in new system, then Hogs could upset all predictions but let's not put too much pressure on the Hogs. After all this is the SEC with many tough games weekly.

I see where DJ Williams was not picked numero uno as TE. He will show them! Hogs not being picked up is a tremendous advantage and they just might take advantage of it and fool a lot of people.They have weapons if the D can hold.

Georgia W

at Alabama L

Texas A&M W

Auburn W

at Florida L

at Ole Miss W

Eastern Michigan W

South Carolina W

Troy W

Mississippi State W

at LSU W

First, there is no way we lose to Ole Miss this year, they are VASTLY over-rated. Yes, they have probably the best "traditional" QB in the SEC, but they also have one of the best coaches at going into freak out mode and losing games.

I believe Ole Miss game will be what gives us momentum into the back half of the season. If we are coming off 4 wins going into LSU I believe we take them down too. Of course, I could see us beating Alabama and losing the LSU, but I believe either way we split.

Naturally, this is all contingent on our D getting their act together. Hopefully Winston, Gordan and the JuCo's Leon and Crim can provide us with a secondary that's far less flammable than last year. They will be the difference in 10-2 and 8-4. Call me optomistic

SEC 6-2

Total 10-2

Look for improved Defense and especially the Special Teams. The offense will score lots of points.

Gary

FYI – I agree 100% with all that you said!

Of course we do! ;^) Seriously, that was a makeable FG from where Crawford caught it and, IRRC, the offense had a bit more time to get more if they felt it was needed.

Even if Tejada had missed the attempt, I would have much rather lost that way than have a grandstandin' ref rob us yet again.

Georgia – W

Alabama – L

Texas A&M – W

Auburn – W

Florida – L

Ole Miss – W

Eastern Michigan – W

South Carolina – W

Troy – W

Mississippi St. – W

LSU – L

Final Record – 9-3…..Cotton Bowl maybe?

We should lose all the away games.

Things do not happen as they should, so we will lose one of the ones we should win and win one of the ones we should lose. Anyway, I am right with the Hogbloggers geniuses——-8 wins and 4 losses.

But, I really like the look, feel, and voice of this team. We haven't seen this many players on campus in a long, long time. We WILL have a running game and the Petrino pass attack though slowed by a few early growing pains will begin to come of age. The defensive front seven is much improved. If the DB recruiting class can be plugged in in time, that defense could be better than expected (they have nowhere to go but up.) If Smith can put special teams on the field, this team can be the surprise of the SEC.

Tough Schedule, no doubt. But, GA and Alabama are playing with new QBs. Fla has to keep the balloon in the air. They have great players yes but, college football is a game of teamwork and emotion. Too much success can be tough to handle. I am counting on Nutty making a key stumble here and there along the way although that could be one of the best games of the year. The winner might even take the West. I am hoping this is the year Miles finally wears out his welcome at LSU.

I say 10-2 with a trip to the Championship game and the BCS. Most hog teams arrive a year ahead of schedule while they are still off the radar.

Missouri State W

Georgia W

at Alabama W- This will be my 1 0f 2 upset picks. Bama has no offence

Texas A&M W

Auburn W

at Florida L

at Ole Miss L- I'm afraid Houston just might have our number for at least two more years.

Eastern Michigan W

South Carolina W

Troy W

Mississippi State W

at LSU W-My second upset. It will knock LSU from the title game.

Off to a BCS Bowl ranked number 6 in the nation. Yes that's right we arrived one year ealier than predicted.

As for a prediction for 2009 goes… I'm close with your prediction… I'll go out on a limb and say 9-3 with the 9th being a win over Georgia in a close one. I'm concerned that we might slip up and lose an game somewhere that we could have or should have won.

As for last year… since I never saw the replay on the "so called" offensive interference near the end of the game, I'm still thinking we should have won that game… (assuming Alex hit the field goal). Anyway, I wouldn't worry too much about "missing" that call from last year.

Opponent (Win/Loss) P.H.W.

Missouri State W

Georgia W

at Alabama L

Texas A&M W

Auburn W

at Florida L

at Ole Miss L

Eastern Michigan W

South Carolina W

Troy W

Mississippi State W

at LSU W

Conference Record 5-3

Season Record 9-3