WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
SEC EAST DIVISION
Florida
Only in Gainesville — and Southern California — can a former Pac-10 offensive freshman of the year such as tailback Emmanuel Moody (Trojans) find himself relegated to third, or perhaps even fourth, string … LB Brandon Spikes is SEC's top returning tackler (131).

Georgia
Only three coaches with at least five years' experience have a better winning percentage than Mark Richt's .791, and all three (Pete Carroll, Bob Stoops and Urban Meyer) have won a national title this decade.

Kentucky
Andre Woodson has departed, and his likely heir, Curtis Pulley, redshirted last year. In '06 Pulley, also a WR, had 8 completions and 21 catches … defensive end Jeremy Jarmon had 9 sacks in '07.

South Carolina
Ol' Ball Coach has handed off the play — calling duties to his son, Steve Spurrier, Jr. Don't get any ideas, Charlie … Kenny McKinley led the SEC in receptions last season with a Gamecock-record 77.

Tennessee
SEC stat of the year: Vols O-line allowed an NCAA-record low four sacks in 534 pass attempts  last year and all five starters return … Soph safety Eric Berry led all SEC frosh in tackles (86) in '07 and has first-team All-America shot this season.

Vanderbilt
Commodores have 12 SEC wins in past 12 seasons and with only nine starters returning on offense and defense, that average is about to drop … Vandy should suffer its 26th consecutive losing season but, with Duke on the calendar, may at least win its first homecoming game since '02.

SEC WEST DIVISION
Alabama
John Parker Wilson holds the top two single-season passing marks (both in terms of yardage and TD passes) and yet will be under his third different offensive coordinator in as many seasons … Incoming frosh Julio Jones was top wideout recruit in the nation.

Arkansas
Darren McFadden, Felix Jones, Peyton Hillis … all gone. Hogs face tough four-game stretch with visits to Texas and Auburn sandwiched around home games with 'bama and Florida … new coach Bobby Petrino goes from Vick (Michael) to Dick (Casey) at QB and has left his old home sideline (Georgia Dome) for a conference in which the entire goal is to return there; won't happen this season.

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Auburn
Tigers have won six straight Iron Bowls … Things shaping up nicely for the Loveliest Village, as Tuberville's Tigers return 16 starters and play three toughest SEC foes (LSU, Tennessee and Georgia) at home.

LSU
Matt Flynn graduated and Ryan Perrilloux finally fulfilled everyone's worst fears, leaving Les Miles with no experience under center … Tigers may still have nation's best D-line, even without Glenn Dorsey … Kicker Colt David, who led SEC in both FGs made and FG percentage, returns.

Mississippi
Houston Nutt inherits a Rebel team on the rise, with two probable first-round '09 NFL draft picks in defensive end Greg Hardy (10 sacks) and offensive tackle Michael Oher … Texas transfer Jevan Snead will take the snaps after having sat out '07.

Mississippi State
Bulldogs won a bowl (Liberty) despite being outscored during season and finishing 113th nationally in total offense … Wesley Carroll returns at QB as does 1,000-yard rusher Anthony Dixon, but the most welcome news is that Bulldogs' stellar defense (21st in total defense) returns nine starters, including MLB Jamar Chaney and free safety Derek Pegues.