After losing Cam Newton to the NFL, there was no way that Gene Chizik and company would be able to repeat. They had themselves a less successful year last year at 8-5, but I think this year they could be on the upswing again. I don't see them netting 10 or more wins, but 9 is within their reach.
The hopes for this offense now rest in the hands of SO QB Kiehl Frazier. Frazier is not Cam Newton, but he is certainly more athletic than either signal caller from last year. If Frazier can develop this team will be in fairly good shape. With Emory Blake as his primary target, he does have a reliable target to throw to. Blake needs to stay healthy though. Losing Dyer at RB will hurt this team but SR Onterio McCalebb will definitely soften that blow. The o-line should be good but not spectacular, and that should be enough for this team to put up some points.
On the defensive side of the ball, the primary playmaker will be JR DE Corey Lemonier. This kid has some amazing speed off the edge, and he should blow up running play in the backfield on his side, and keep QBs running away from him all year long. The rest of the d-line is very experienced, and should be the strength of this whole ball club. The linebackers and secondary should be ok as each of those units has a lot of returning players. The only player starting for either of these units that is not at least a JR is SO S Erique Florence. If they use their experience wisely, each unit should improve on last year's performance, making the defense better overall.
The Tigers have a tough schedule to play but they get Arkansas, LSU, UGA, and TAMU all at home. If they can beat Ole Miss and Miss St on the road, and Clemson in Atlanta to start the year, the club should be in a good position at the end of the year.
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