Former LSU coach Nick Saban, now with the Miami Dolphins, left the cupboard more than stocked for new coach Les Miles. Even without tailback Alley Broussard, who tore knee ligaments during preseason camp, LSU has the potential to be one of the most explosive offenses in the country. The Tigers have five receivers who would start on most Division I-A teams, including Skyler Green, who can change a game as a kick returner as well. Tight end David Jones is another NFL prospect. The wild card is quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who is immensely talented but has struggled to learn the playbook. The Tigers also get a break in scheduling -- they play Tennessee, Florida and Auburn at home.

New defensive coordinator Bo Pelini will have plenty to work with, starting up front with tackles Kyle Williams and Claude Wroten. Expect plenty of blitzing, too.

Georgia lost a wealth of talent to the NFL, including first-round draft picks David Pollack and Thomas Davis, as well as linebacker Odell Thurman and David Greene, who won more games than any quarterback in NCAA history. But Coach Mark Richt has enough returning talent to challenge Florida and Tennessee in the SEC East. If senior D.J. Shockley plays well at quarterback and the Bulldogs can find one or two big-play receivers, the offense will be very good with Thomas Brown, Kregg Lumpkin and Danny Ware running behind an experienced offensive line. Defensive ends Quentin Moses and Charles Johnson are potential stars, but the Bulldogs are thin at linebacker and Davis will be sorely missed in the secondary.

Tennessee's Gerald Riggs Jr. ran for 1,107 yards in 2004 while sharing carries with Cedric Houston. Now that Houston is gone, Riggs won't have to share playing time with anyone. The son of former Washington Redskins tailback Gerald Riggs was dogged by immaturity during his first two seasons in Knoxville, but came into his own last year. He'll have plenty of opportunities to shine on national television -- the Volunteers play at Florida, LSU, Alabama and Notre Dame and host Georgia and South Carolina.

Hal Mumme and NCAA probation put Kentucky's program in a hole. Former St. Louis Rams coach Rich Brooks has buried it. The Wildcats won only two games in 2004 for the third time in five seasons. Offensive coordinator Ron Hudson, one of the SEC's highest-paid assistants, was forced to resign after the Wildcats ranked 115th in total offense out of 117 Division I-A programs. If Kentucky doesn't drastically improve this season, Brooks and Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart could both be unemployed.

Auburn at LSU, Oct. 22: Auburn plays its first five games at home and could have a 21-game winning streak when it plays in Baton Rouge. Auburn beat LSU last season, 10-9, when Jason Campbell threw the game-winning touchdown pass with 1 minute 14 seconds to play.

East Division
1.Georgia
2.Tennessee
3.Florida
4.Vanderbilt
5.South Carolina
6.Kentucky

West Division
1.LSU
2.Auburn
3.Alabama
4.Arkansas
5.Mississippi
6.Mississippi St.