My Preseason Follow-Up

I predicted the record and finish of each football team in the Southeastern Conference back in the 2012 preseason.  Let's see how I did...

SEC WEST

ALABAMA
Prediction: 14-0, National, SEC, and West Division Champion
Actual: 11-1, SEC West Division Champion, with SEC and National Championship in reach
Grade: A, although that could be an A+ if the Tide wins out

It didn't take a genius to pick Alabama to attain the SEC title for 2012, and contend for the national title.  While the jury is still out on how close I was to the final result, this looks pretty good so far.

ARKANSAS
Prediction: 10-3, 3rd in SEC West
Actual: 4-8, 6th in SEC West
Grade: D

Obviously, I missed the boat on Arkansas this year, underestimating the effect of the loss of Bobby Petrino on the Razorbacks' season.  I take comfort in the fact that I wasn't the only one, and that at least I didn't call for a conference or national championship.

AUBURN
Prediction: 9-4, 4th in SEC West
Actual: 3-9, 7th in SEC West
Grade: F

The only thing worse than my prediction for the Tigers was their actual season.

LSU
Prediction: 12-1, 2nd in SEC West
Actual: 10-2, Tied-2nd in SEC West
Grade: A

LSU had another strong season, but fell short to Alabama, as I predicted that they would.

MISSISSIPPI
Prediction: 3-9, 7th in SEC West
Actual: 6-6, 5th in SEC West
Grade: C-

Ole Miss scratched out a decent first season for new head coach Hugh Freeze, and made significant strides forward from 2011.  This team, with some talent, will be one to watch over the next few years.

MISSISSIPPI STATE
Prediction: 7-6, 6th in SEC West
Actual: 8-4, 4th in SEC West
Grade: C

State was able to capitalize on atrocious teams from Auburn and Arkansas.

TEXAS A&M
Prediction: 8-5, 5th in SEC West
Actual: 10-2, Tied-2nd in SEC West
Grade: C

At midseason, I would've said that my prediction was right on point, but freshman sensation and potential Heisman-winner Johnny Manziel just kept getting better and better, and head coach Kevin Sumlin was an even greater hire than expected.

SEC EAST

FLORIDA
Prediction: 9-4, 3rd in SEC East
Actual: 11-1, Tied-1st in SEC East
Grade: C

Will Muschamp came within one game of playing for the national title, defeated four top-12 teams, and will likely be voted SEC Coach of the Year.  He deserves it, after replacing his offensive coordinator and improving dramatically in year two.

GEORGIAPrediction: 11-2, 2nd in SEC East
Actual: 11-1, Tied-1st in SEC East
Grade: B-

I always knew Georgia was the easy pick to win the East, so my prediction for them to finish second hinged on a loss to South Carolina and another to Florida.  The Bulldogs split the difference, and showed major improvement after falling to the Gamecocks.

KENTUCKY
Prediction: 4-8, 7th in SEC East
Actual: 2-10, 7th in SEC East
Grade: A-

If anything, I gave more credit to Kentucky than they were due in their out-of-conference schedule.  This team has given away all the ground it gained in the Rick Brooks era.

MISSOURI
Prediction: 8-5, 5th in SEC East
Actual: 5-7, 5th in SEC East
Grade: C+

I think Missouri could have competed at a higher level, at least well enough to get to a bowl game, but injuries across the board kept this team at a season-long disadvantage.

SOUTH CAROLINA
Prediction: 12-2, 1st in SEC East
Actual: 10-2, 3rd in SEC East
Grade: C+

The Gamecocks looked like the best team in the conference at midseason, but after a close loss in Baton Rouge, they came apart in Gainesville.

TENNESSEE
Prediction: 9-4, 4th in SEC East
Actual: 5-7, 6th in SEC East
Grade: D

Tennessee did not beat one team as an underdog in Derek Dooley's tenure, while dropping several others that they should have won, which is why he is no longer roaming the sidelines in Knoxville.

VANDERBILT
Prediction: 7-6, 6th in SEC East
Actual: 8-4, 4th in SEC East
Grade: B-

While I predicted that Vandy would make it to a bowl for the second straight year, despite never having achieved that before in its history, the Commodores have already equaled their best season in three decades and have a chance at their first nine-win season since 1915.  No one was bold enough to predict that.

OVERALL GRADE: C+