Ranking the SEC: The East

After romping through the West, FanHouse turns their attention on the SEC East, a division which is more stratified but still looks to be plenty competitive. Our results are based on votes from our contingent of six FanHouse bloggers.

#6: Vanderbilt - Average rank: 6

Poor Vanderbilt. They've had many opportunities but just can't seem to put it all together. The Commodores earned the dubious distinction of FanHouse's only unanimous vote -- last place. Radcliff: "Downtown Nashville can be fun!" Jacbi: "Woof. Kill me. Woof." Holiday: "If I could rank them seventh, I would." 'Nuff said.

#5: Kentucky - Average rank: 4.8

Adam Jacobi has a particularly low opinion of the 'Cats this year. "The unfortunate lesson of SEC football is that if you come out of nowhere, you're every bit as capable of going straight back to nowhere in one year's time, and without Andre Woodson, that's exactly what'll happen in Lexington. They're not capable of hanging with anyone ahead of them here in the east, and their only prayer of winning one against the West is a home game against Arkansas. Good luck." Andy Katzer agrees: "Remember when UK beat LSU in 3 overtimes? Hang on to that memory, Big Blue."

#4: South Carolina - Average rank: 4

Another near unanimous vote, this time for the 'Cocks at #4 in the division. Stacking up the competition, this is an easily defensible selection, especially with uncertainties at both the playcalling and QB positions. Katzer: "Over/under on QB changes by mid-October: 3.5; over/under on losses by mid-Ocotber: the same." Ciskie also keys in on the signal-caller, but thinks there's hope: "If Spurrier can find a quarterback in this mess, he'll have a contender."

#3: Tennessee - Average rank: 3.2

The Vols have a new "Claw"fense (in reference to new OC Dave Clawson, formerly of Richmond) to go along with a new face at QB and a new attitude. But could this be the Vols' year to win the East again? Andy Katzer: "A year away from serious contention... but don't forget: the Vols have lost to the previous two national champions by a total of 8 points. There's some players on Rocky Top (ericberry ericberry ericberry)." Pete Holiday: "Thanks to the raise, Fulmer can afford to keep his caloric in-take up, keeping him from being distracted by hot dog vendors in Neyland stadium."

#2: Florida - Average rank: 1.6

In FanHouse's view, Florida and Georgia clearly stand head and shoulders above the rest of the crowd. The Gators and the Dawgs are the only teams to receive #1 or #2 from our blogger corps. Georgia edged Florida for #1 by a single vote. Ferguson explains his #2 pick: "Starting frosh on D-Line and at safety? I don't care how jaw-dropping the Tebow/Harvin highlight reel may be; teams have to be multidimensional to win this conference." Radcliff: " I don't like the safety situation, but I like everything else about this team." Ciskie also likes Florida at #2 in the East. "Another Heisman will win nothing without a trip to Miami. That said, Tebow is still the nation's best."

#1: Georgia - Average rank: 1.3

Yup, it's the year 'o the Dawg in the SEC East. Fully 75% of our bloggers chose Georgia as #1. Radcliff: "If this team comes out on top at the end of the season, they will have earned it. It's very important for Brannan Southerland to come back ASAP. Nothing solidifies a running game like a fullback. And he's a useful outlet receiver." Andy Katzer, one of the number two men, is worried about the Bulldogs' schedule: "Schedule-watching is dangerous, especially in July, but the Dawgs' slate is brutal: Bama, @LSU, and @ Auburn, on top of UF, UT, et al? Lots of talent in Athens, but not enough to survive all that." Ferguson feels that well-rounded teams win SEC championships: "They're solid if not spectacular at every single position."