1. Pretend for a minute that Vanderbilt wasn't 2-0, then answer this question: What has been the most surprising thing in the SEC so far this season?
There haven't been too many serious surprises yet, so it's hard to say. I guess I'm a little surprised that Arkansas is as bad as they are. Everyone expected this to be a rebuilding year for the Hogs, but let's face it, they're really bad and will only get four or five wins if they don't improve.
I've noticed that a lot of people are talking about Kentucky's defense as a surprise, but I don't think Kentucky has been tested yet, so they still have a lot to prove from where I'm sitting.
2. Conference action has either just begun for most teams, or will Sept. 20. (The exception is Kentucky, which I believe plays I-AA teams until mid-November.) From what you've seen so far, how will your team fare in your division? If it's not going to win, which team will?
I'm still sticking by my prediction that the Gamecocks will finish 3rd in the East. There are likely losses against Georgia and Florida on the horizon, but if the QB and OL problems resolve themselves, I believe we can beat all of our other opponents and finish 5-3 in the division. That should be good enough for 3rd. Of course, losses in tossup games against Ole Miss, Kentucky, and Tennessee will be decisive as to whether or not we get there.
I think Florida will win the SEC East.
3. Which SEC player that few of us are paying attention to is poised to have a breakout season? Try to choose someone not on your team.
If Petrino does get things together at Arkansas, look for Casey Dick to have a big season statistically. He's already thrown for 641 yards in Petrino's pass-happy offense.
4. Both Arkansas and LSU have had games delayed because of hurricanes. If you could choose a game on your team's current schedule to get postponed because of inclement weather, which game would you choose and why?
The one tomorrow. I have hopes that we'll improve offensively by the second half of the season. But we're not there yet, and we're playing the #2 team in the country tomorrow. I would prefer to play that game after we play cupcake games against Wofford and UAB, because I expect that Spurrier will use those games to tweak the offense. Plus, our star player, Kenny McKinley, is hurt but should be back in a couple of weeks. I'd prefer to have him against UGA.
5. So, the Large Haldron Collider hasn't destroyed the Earth -- so far, anyway. But had the world ended Wednesday morning, which SEC game would you have most regretted missing? Assuming, of course, you had been around to regret it. (Head...hurts...)
I would usually say LSU-Auburn given that series's tendency to produce entertaining games, but this year I'll go with the Cocktail Party. It's the game of the season both in the conference and in the nation (forget the blowout that will happen in LA tomorrow), with the winner likely headed to Atlanta and maybe to the BCS title game. Plus, Florida used to really have UGA beat in this series, and I'm interested to see if UGA has truly gotten over the hump.