A look at SEC teams in predicted order of finish; DMN picks

EASTERN DIVISION

1. TENNESSEE — Erik Ainge might be this season's Chris Leak, a quarterback who put up big numbers but fell short of a title in his first three seasons ... He lost his three favorite targets from last season but can hand off to dangerous sophomore RB LaMarcus Coker (6.4 yards per carry) ... S Jonathan Hefney and LBs Jerod Mayo and Ryan Karl combined for 245 tackles.

2. FLORIDA — Florida has only 21 upperclassmen on scholarship, fewest in the league ... WR Andre Caldwell and rushing/receiving threat Percy Harvin return, and the linemen have combined for 65 career starts ... On defense, Gators must replace 10 of top 12 tacklers, including NFL first-rounders Jarvis Moss and Reggie Nelson ... DE Derrick Harvey is a big-time playmaker.

3. GEORGIA — QB Matthew Stafford made huge strides late in freshman season but still was intercepted 13 times against seven TDs ... Kregg Lumpkin leads deep backfield that includes heralded freshman Caleb King ... O-line could start a freshman and redshirt a freshman ... Five of top six tacklers are gone. FS Kelin Johnson and DT Jeff Owens are among returnees.

4. SOUTH CAROLINA — Look out, coach Steve Spurrier is touting his team as a contender ... QB Blake Mitchell's career completion percentage (61.2) is tops among SEC passers, but he no longer has WR Sidney Rice. WR Kenny McKinley (880 yards) and RB Cory Boyd (823 yards rushing) are back ... Defense returns all but one starter, including top six tacklers, led by LB Jasper Brinkley (107 tackles).

5. KENTUCKY — Fresh from best season in 22 years (8-5), Wildcats are led by the Big Three on offense: Andre' Woodson (3,515 yards passing), the preseason all-SEC QB, plus 1,000-yard WR Keenan Burton and all-purpose threat Rafael Little ... Team has eight home games for first time ... Assistant Steve Brown promoted to run defense that yielded 28.4 ppg last season ... LB Wesley Woodyard's 122 tackles ranked No. 2 in SEC.

6. VANDERBILT — Seventeen starters return, including the entire offensive line ... Junior WR Earl Bennett needs 48 catches to become SEC's top career receiver ... QB Chris Nickson is run-pass threat but threw multiple interceptions in five games in 2006 ... RB Jeff Jennings returns after missing season with injury ... MLB Jonathan Goff (93 tackles) shed a few pounds and could be a step quicker.

WESTERN DIVISION