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The 2003 AU squad & the 2008 UGA squad are nothing alike. The biggest problem with the 2003 AU squad was the departure of petrino & the nallsminger co-coordinator catastrophe. There is no denying the 2003 AU squad had the talent to be a top 5 team in the country, but we were doomed when TT didn't hire a real O-coordinator. All the media overlooked that small but crucial fact. (In TT's defense, I can understand why he didn't want to go through the process of hiring a new O-coordinator. Everyone knew after the 2003 bowl game we had something special in place).

I definitely won't crown UGA the 08 champs just yet, but there is no denying they will be talented & deserve to be one of the favorites to win the SEC this year. UGA in 2008, unlike AU in 2003, has consistency across the board in the coaching ranks along with many returning starters.

Navigating the full SEC east roster plus 2 juggernauts from the west, they will have to earn it if they are going to take it all. And I for one am looking forward to it, because we play the games for a reason! Injuries, momentum, luck(good or bad), rising stars, academics, off the field scandals, etc. will all impact the 08 season just as they do every season.

Either AU or LSU represents the west and UGA, UF, or UT represent the east in the title game. Not exactly going out on a limb with that prediction. If I had to narrow it down, I'll go AU vs. UF. I say UF gets revenge over UGA & the overwhelming media fav to win the SEC never seems to work out.

Silver-You are correct AU has a lot of new stuff to assimilate. 2 new coordinators is exciting but also cause for concern, as there are almost always growing pains. IMHO I'd say lucky for us we get LSU at home & early in the season, as a W there for AU should really get the momentum rolling & put the team in a strong position to win the west.

Bama is definitely at least 1 season away from being a serious competitor in the west, probably at least 2 years(09 season should have some promise). There is a feeling out there(that I don't disagree with) that bama in 08 could be worse than 07. 1 step forward 2 steps back kind of thing. Chances are good that saban will show the latest recruiting class playing time often & early this season, so expect lots of lessons from the school of hard knocks.

In the west(at the moment), my 2 biggest worries are LSU & Ole Miss. Bama & MSU check in at 2nd place. Arkansas is a wildcard, as like him or not Petrino is an offensive wizard. Just depends on if he can find some toys in his toy box, which at the moment doesn't look too full.