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BACK-IN-TIME:
Alabama Faithful Hoped for Win in 2007, but Auburn Got Sixth Straight.

Here's The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's assessment of each team in the SEC following spring training and heading into summer workouts:

FLORIDA

** What We Learned: The Gators have found another big playmaker in RB Chris Rainey, a redshirt freshman. Rainey was the star of the spring game while Southern Cal transfer Emmanuel Moody had problems holding on to the ball. The defense is starting to play with a little more aggressiveness after getting torched late in the season. For the first time since Coach Urban Meyer arrived in 2006, Florida will have depth in the secondary.

** What We Still Don't Know: Who will be Tim Tebow's backup? Cameron Newton and redshirt freshman John Brantley will continue their competition in August. The Gators want to play two quarterbacks to give Tebow a break. What kind of shape will WR Percy Harvin be in after surgery to his heel? The Gators still don't have any defensive tackles they can trust. True freshman Omar Hunter may get a look at that position when he arrives this summer.

** First Game: Aug. 30 vs. Hawaii

GEORGIA

** What We Learned: Except for a couple of questions on the offensive line, Georgia is very good at every position. The running back combo of Knowshon Moreno and Caleb King will rival Clemson's "Thunder and Lightning" of James Davis and C.J. Spiller. QB Matt Stafford will use the play-action pass to have his best year. This will be the deepest and most talented receiving corps that Georgia has had in the Mark Richt era. The defense is scary good even though DE Marcus Howard is gone. Somebody has to step up and be the big playmaker from that position. The only mystery about this team is when they will break out the black jerseys. Richt says he doesn't know. Stay tuned.

What We Still Don't Know: Richt says he is still uncertain about the starting five on the offensive line. Three of five starters return but one of them, right guard Clint Boling, did not participate in spring practice because of an illness. Richt also says he doesn't know who is going to kick extra points and field goals. It may be an incoming freshman, Blair Walsh of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

** First Game: Aug. 30 vs. Georgia Southern

KENTUCKY

What We Learned: Kentucky is going to be OK at quarterback. Either Curtis Pulley or Mike Hartline will replace Andre Woodson. Both played well during the spring but neither earned the starting job. This team will rely on a pretty good defense (eight returning starters) until the offense grows up. Junior Trevard Lindley should be one of the best cornerbacks in the country. DE Jeremy Jarmon looks like he could be an All-SEC player. Coach Rich Brooks believes this is the best depth he's had at Kentucky.

** What We Still Don't Know: Even if the quarterback is OK, who is going to catch the ball?Dicky Lyons Jr., who should be the go-to receiver, had an inconsistent spring but did finish on a high note with 10 catches in the spring game. The Wildcats are going to miss WRs Keenan Burton, Steve Johnson, and TE Jacob Tamme, who combined for 182 catches last season.

** First Game: Aug. 31 at Louisville (2:30 p.m., CDT, ESPN)

SOUTH CAROLINA

** What We Learned: The Gamecocks are going to be pretty salty on defense. They return 10 starters and that doesn't include linebacker Jasper Brinkley, who returns for his senior season after an injury. The secondary, led by CB Captain Munnerlyn (of Mobile, Ala., who was passed over by Auburn and Alabama) and safety Emmanuel Cook, could be one of the best South Carolina has ever had. Ellis Johnson takes over at defensive coordinator and has made some changes, moving DE Eric Norwood to outside linebacker where he can make more plays.

** What We Still Don't Know: Quarterback will be the No. 1 story line at South Carolina all summer and perhaps all fall. Tommy Beecher and Chris Smelley combined for eight interceptions in the spring game. Steve Spurrier said after spring practice that Beecher is the starter -- for now. Redshirt freshman Stephen Garcia was suspended and is out of school until Aug. 15 when he will reapply. The offensive line returns four starters but still remains unsettled due to injuries. It would also help to find another punter so that Ryan Succop doesn't have to punt and placekick.

** First Game: Aug. 28 vs. N.C. State (7 p.m., CDT, ESPN)

TENNESSEE

** What We Learned: The Volunteers are going to be good on offense. Eight starters (four on the line) return and QB Jonathan Crompton quickly picked up the new scheme of offensive coordinator Dave Clawson in the spring. Senior RB Arian Foster played well in the spring and needs 684 yards this fall to become Tennessee's all-time leading rusher. The Vols are at least four-deep with quality running backs. Tennessee will have the best safety combination in the SEC in Eric Berry and Demetrice Morley, who returns after sitting out last season with academic issues.

** What We Still Don't Know: Who will replace Jarod Mayo at linebacker? Ellix Wilson is a senior and has been patiently waiting his turn. He's a good player but will he lead like Mayo? The biggest concern on defense is depth at tackle. Demonte Bolden and Dan Williams looked solid but injuries at this position won't be good. Punter Britton Colquitt has been suspended for the first five games. Will sophomore Chad Cunningham play as well?

** First Game: Sept. 1 at UCLA (7 p.m., CDT, ESPN)

VANDERBILT

** What We Learned: Eight starters on offense are gone, including all five on the offensive line. But spring practice revealed that there are good players waiting and that the OL should be fine. Junior center Bradley Vierling appears to be the group's leader. Coach Bobby Johnson is concerned about depth on the OL.

** What We Still Don't Know: Who is going to replace Earl Bennett, the SEC's all-time receiver? Johnson was hoping it would be Alex Washington, but Washington tore his ACL on the first day of spring practice. The Commodores will now have to rely on younger players. Vanderbilt also needs some linebackers to replace All-SEC Jonathon Goff and Marcus Buggs.

** First Game: Aug. 28 at Miami of Ohio (6:30 p.m., CDT, ESPNU).

TONY BARNHART'S 2008 SEC EAST PROJECTIONS (with last year"s records in brackets):

1. GEORGIA (11-2) Great team, but brutal road schedule will make it tough to win SEC.

2. FLORIDA (9-4) Tebow needs help in running game; defense must improve significantly.

3. TENNESSEE (10-4) Offense will be good; lots of questions on defensive front seven.

4. SOUTH CAROLINA (6-6) Defense will carry team early; Spurrier must find QB who can produce.

5. KENTUCKY (8-5) Wildcats lost too many great skill players; can still go bowling.

6. VANDERBILT (5-7) Commodores lost most of their offense; must learn to win close games.

ALABAMA

** What We Learned: John Parker Wilson got better. Coach Nick Saban praised the play of his senior quarterback under new offensive coordinator Jim McElwain. "This offense is a little more quarterback-friendly and he feels more comfortable with what we're doing," Saban said. Sophomore running back Terry Grant, who had offseason hernia surgery, made big plays all spring and will be a threat catching the ball as well. The starting offensive line appears to be set.

** What We Still Don't Know: How many of the freshmen will find a place on the depth chart? Saban made it clear after spring practice that the members of the nation's No. 1 recruiting class will get their chances. Receivers Julio Jones and Burton Scott could get on the field quickly. The Crimson Tide is also looking for some linebackers to help sophomore Rolando McClain. Jimmy Johns has moved to linebacker from running back.

** First Game: Aug. 30 vs. Clemson at the Georgia Dome (6 p.m., CDT, ESPN or ABC)

ARKANSAS

** What We Learned: The Hogs might be OK on offense. Quarterback Casey Dick was able to pick up Bobby Petrino's new offense. During an April 19 scrimmage, Dick completed 26-of-38 passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns. Arkansas also has found a go-to receiver in London Crawford (of Mobile, also passed over by Alabama and Auburn). It looks like converted linebacker Chip Gregory, Michael Smith and Brandon Barnett will be the guys who have to replace Darren McFadden and Felix Jones.

** What We Still Don't Know: Who's going to start in the secondary? All four defensive backs from a year ago are gone. Without superstars at running back, can Dick go the distance against a schedule that includes a four-game stretch of Texas, at Alabama, at Florida and at Auburn?

** First game: Aug. 30 vs. Western Illinois

AUBURN

** What We Learned: Auburn has one of the best offensive lines in the country. All five starters are back. The tailbacks got beat up in the spring and only senior Brad Lester made it to the end. But the Tigers can go four deep in quality running backs. Sophomore Mario Fannin missed a lot of spring ball with an injured shoulder, but he should be a star in this offense with his ability to run and catch.

** What We Still Don't Know: Who will be the starting quarterback? Sophomore Kodi Burns has the lead over JUCO transfer Chris Todd, who was slowed by a sore arm for a good portion of the spring. Burns is the better runner in the spread offense, but Todd -- who began his career at Texas Tech -- is a good passer and a better runner than most people think. He also is more familiar with Tony Franklin's new spread offense. There are also some issues at defensive tackle even though Junior Sen'Derrick Marks moves back to that position from DE. And how will Auburn's overall defense be under new coordinator Paul Rhoads?

** First Game: Aug. 30 vs. Louisiana-Monroe

LSU

** What We Learned: Despite the loss of tackle Glenn Dorsey, the Outland Trophy winner, LSU's defensive line will be better in 2008. Seniors Tyson Jackson and Kirston Pittman are back and will give LSU the best set of defensive ends in the country. DT Ricky Jean-Francois, the defensive MVP in the BCS championship game, is going to have a monster year if he stays healthy. The offense line, which could have three All-Americas (C Brett Helms, LT Ciron Black, LG Herman Johnson), might be one of the best LSU has ever had.

What We Still Don't Know: Who will be the starting quarterback now that Ryan Perrilloux has finally been kicked off the team. The Tigers also haven't settled on the cornerbacks that will replace Jonathan Zenon and Chevis Jackson. There is also a big hole at safety where All-SEC Craig Steltz played last season.

** First Game: Aug. 30 vs. Appalachian State, TBD

MISSISSIPPI

** What We Learned: The Rebels have finally found a quarterback. After sitting out last season as a transfer from Texas, Jevan Snead showed this spring that he will be the best quarterback Ole Miss has had since Eli Manning left in 2003. Snead completed 20 of 26 passes in the spring game and will only get better under new offensive coordinator Kent Austin, the former Ole Miss QB who joins the staff after a successful playing and coaching career in the CFL.

** What We Still Don't Know: Is Enrique Davis the real deal? We know that new coach Houston Nutt will want to run the ball first as he did in his 10 years at Arkansas. If Davis is as good as advertised, the Ole Miss offense will be pretty good.

** First Game: Aug. 30 vs. Memphis

MISSISSIPPI STATE

** What We Learned: The Bulldogs are set at quarterback. Sophomore Wesley Carroll, the 2007 starter, had a very good spring and is a solid No. 1. Coach Sylvester Croom is excited about the play of junior college transfer Tyson Lee, who completed 31-of-45 passes during scrimmages. Mississippi State also found some depth at running back behind Anthony Dixon, who rushed for 1,066 yards last season. Robert Elliott and Wade Bonner both have a burst of speed out of the backfield that the Bulldogs have been missing.

** What We Still Don't Know: How will the Bulldogs react to the loss of starting offensive tackle Michael Brown and defensive tackle Quinton Wesley? Both players were thrown off the team and could be expelled from school for assault and gun charges. Brown will especially be missed because he plays the all-important left tackle position. The Bulldogs are still looking for some proven tight ends after losing three seniors at the position. Brandon Henderson and Marcus Green will get a chance.

** First Game: Aug. 30 at Louisiana Tech (TBD, ESPN or ESPN2)

TONY BARNHART'S 2008 SEC WEST PROJECTIONS, including 2007 records)

1. LSU (12-2) Will still have league's best defense; With Perrilloux gone, Tigers could slip, though.

2. AUBURN (9-4) If QBs come through in spread offense, Tigers could win the division.

3. ALABAMA (7-6) Talent upgrade from No. 1 recruiting class; still a year away from contending.

4. MISSISSIPPI STATE (8-5) Best overall talent and depth Sylvester Croom has had in Starkville.

5. MISSISSIPPI (3-9) Rebels finally have QB in Jevan Snead; will surprise under Houston Nutt.

6. ARKANSAS (8-5) Hogs lost too much talent on offense; Bobby Petrino struggles in first season.

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EAGLE FOOTNOTES: Ole Miss could very well be not only a surprise, but a contender in the West in 2008. Oxford could be dangerous stops for Auburn and Alabama, with new coach Houston Nutt guiding the Rebels. Ole Miss has finally found a quality QB in Texas transfer Jevan Snead, who can run and throw. He'll have a couple of dangerous RBs in Enrique Davis and Cordera Eason (both running backs hotly sought by Auburn). The Rebels have a pair of outstanding receivers in Dexter McCluster, who may be used in the "Wildcat" formation (or whatever Nutt will call it in Oxford); and Shay Hodge. All-America OT Michael Oher decided to return for his senior year. On defense, Ole Miss returns All-SEC DE Greg Hardy and DT Peria Jerry, who is projected as first-round draft pick in 2009.