Kevin (Huntsville, AL)

Chris, what would you say is the percentage change of seeing a 4-team playoff in a couple years? Will it still be seeded by BCS standings or a modified version or would college football prefer a selection committee like Madness?

Chris Low

  (1:05 PM)

2014 would be the first year we would see change based on the current contracts. They want to have something done this summer, though. I would say there's a 70 percent chance we will see a plus-one with two semifinal games and then the title game. I like the Big Ten's idea of playing the two semifinal games at the sites of the higher seeded teams and then playing the title game at a neutral site. I would think the BCS standings would decide the four teams, although you're still going to have arguments that there were other teams who finish No. 5 and No. 6 that were more deserving. It would be the same way with a selection committee.

Geoffrey Dillard (B'ham)

Did the Honey Badger get exposed in the BCS title game, or did he just have an off night? I know he makes a lot of big plays, most noteably on special teams, but watching him play in and play out on defense, he seems to be a little overrated as a DB. What do you think?

Chris Low

  (1:06 PM)

Actually, he wasn't at his best in either of the Alabama games. I give the Bama receivers credit for making a couple of big-time catches. I'm not sure Mathieu is a lock-down corner. He's more of a nickel guy who roams and makes plays.

Scratches (D'ham, NC)

What is going on in Gainesville? Players seem to keep getting arrested right and lefts, under Meyer and Muschamp. I know it happens at every school, but Florida seems to have it worse than anyone else. Any idea what's causing all this?

Chris Low

  (1:09 PM)

Unfortunately, it does happen everywhere, and most SEC schools have had well-chronicled cycles where kids are getting into trouble. Georgia and Tennessee both come to mind. The important thing is to respond accordingly when you do have these issues. I thought Muschamp did that with the Janoris Jenkins situation last year, and I'd be surprised if he doesn't come down hard on Leonard, too, if he did what he's accused of doing.

Cameron (Baltimore, MD)

Hey Chris.Next season has the look of one even more special for the Gamecocks than 2011 was.Marcus Lattimore should be back to full strength and Connor Shaw really came into his own at the end of the season.Throw in Shaq Roland and a defense that should be pretty stingy and I think you have a darkhorse national champ contender on our hands.Your thoughts?

Chris Low

  (1:13 PM)

I'm not ready to throw the Gamecocks into the national championship equation, although I do think they will be right there fighting for a chance to go to Atlanta and play for the SEC title. I could see 10 wins again in the regular season, but remember they have to play at LSU and Florida in back-to-back weeks and Arkansas comes to Columbia. The Hogs have had the Gamecocks' number recently. So 10 wins in the regular season again would be an accomplishment.

Sean (N.W.A.)

Hey Mr. Low, I have just one plain and simple question to ask you. How does Arkansas D look this year to you? Thanks and Have a Good Day sir.

Chris Low

  (1:17 PM)

They need to stay healthy in the defensive line. That was a problem this season. I like some of the young talent in the secondary in Bennett and Mitchel, and Highsmith has a chance to be special at linebacker. More playmakers need to emerge with Bequette, Thomas and Franklin all gone. It goes without saying that this is a big year for Tenarius Wright.

Cameron (Baltimore, MD)

Doesn't competing for the SEC title mean your competing for the national championship?

Chris Low

  (1:18 PM)

History says that if you win it, you are.

Kevin (Huntsville, Alabama)

I never sent that question!!! what happened Chris?

Chris Low

  (1:19 PM)

Spook! The one about the playoff?

Scratches (D'ham, NC)

Who are your early Heisman contenders from the SEC?

Chris Low

  (1:21 PM)

My top five early ones, in no particular order, are Knile Davis, Marcus Lattimore, AJ McCarron, Aaron Murray and Tyler Wilson.

Jacob (Charlotte)

South Carolina goes before the NCAA board tomorrow to face judgement. Do you think the self imposed penalties were enough? If not, what type of penalties do you think they might hit the Gamecocks with?

Chris Low

  (1:22 PM)

I don't think the Gamecocks will get hit with any postseason sanctions. They could lose another scholarship or two and also face some recruiting restrictions.

Dillon (Oxford)

Whats your prediction for Ole Miss? I'll say 5-7 wins over Tulane, Utep, UCA, Vandy and Miss State

Chris Low

  (1:25 PM)

That would be two SEC wins, and the Rebels have lost 14 straight. So 5-7 would be a pretty solid start for Freeze. With the excitement of a new staff, I'd look for the Rebels to pull an upset this season. Four wins might be more like it, though.

Kevin (Huntsville, AL)

Yeah and dont call me a spook I never sent you a question I sent you this: Im sure you heard that Tennessee stole a linebacker commitment from Cincinnatti. Im curious what you think from what ive heard hes at 217 pounds because of wrestling he went down to that weight but im curious obviously hes going to build that weight back up but do you think hes a starter or a probable redshirt?

Chris Low

  (1:27 PM)

Spook as in spooky, although I think you already knew that. Yes, he was a wrestler, and that was a factor. But with Tennessee going to a 3-4 on defense, he'll get up to 225 or 230 and be fine. I would think that he is a candidate to redshirt, but the Vols need linebacker depth.

Mike (Palm Bay, FL)

Chris, how's UF going to score points next year? The only two play makers (Demps and Rainey) are gone, and the recruiting class looks weak on the offensive side. Who do you see stepping up?

Chris Low

  (1:30 PM)

For one, they think they will be better and more consistent in the offensive line. Settling on a quarterback will be key, and Gillislee is a guy at RB I'd keep an eye on. You're right, though. It's hard to pinpoint a WR at this point that you know is going to be a consistent playmaker for the Gators.

Kevin (Huntsville, AL)

Who will rush for more yards this season? Knile Davis or Marcus Lattimore?

Chris Low

  (1:32 PM)

I'll go with Lattimore, because I still think the Hogs are going to throw it quite a bit. As soon as I say that, I'm reminded theat Davis ran for more yards than any back in the SEC two years ago when Mallett was there. It's probably going to be whoever can stay the healthiest and bounce back the fastest after their injuries.

Mike (Sarasota)

Texas Aggie fan here...how do you think the spread offense of Kevin Sumlin will fare in the SEC this year?

Chris Low

  (1:33 PM)

A lot of it comes down to the quarterback and finding a guy who can keep defenses honest by running some. It's hard to run the spread effectively in this league if you don't have a quarterback who can extend plays.

James (Hilton Head Island)

Your a Tennessee guy, what are your thoughts on UGA avoiding Bama, LSU, and Arkansas again?

Chris Low

  (1:37 PM)

My thoughts are that it's good for Georgia and sets the Dawgs up as the favorite in the East, and it's not so good for South Carolina and the rest of the East. It's just the way it worked out this year with the league trying to add Missouri and Texas A&M to the mix. Oh yeah, ask the Tennessee fans if they think I'm a Tennessee guy. In this league, everybody thinks you're against them. Just part of the gig.

Tommy (Augusta)

Chris, with all the expansion, why is there no talk of going to a 13-game schedule? Are there NCAA rules that prevent that many games? I don't care about bigger conferences. I just want more college football games.

Chris Low

  (1:38 PM)

The presidents don't want to lengthen the season, which is one of the reasons they have opposed a 16-team playoff.

DJ (NY)

Having been around the SEC for quite some time, how would you say Bama's '11 D compares to the '92 D (or any other great SEC defense)?

Chris Low

  (1:41 PM)

I had always said that the 1992 Alabama defense was the best one I'd seen in this league prior to this season. But the 2011 Alabama 'D' rates right up there. You just couldn't move the ball consistently against either of those defenses. The '92 unit had better pass-rushers coming off the edge, but this one might have been more solid top to bottom. One thing about that '92 defense is that it didn't get as much help from its offense as this one did.

Tony (Richmond, CA)

Will Shaq Roland have the same type of impact at WR for the Gamecocks that Watkins had for his in state rival?

Chris Low

  (1:42 PM)

The Gamecocks would take about half that impact. Watkins is a special player, and I don't want to put those kind of expectations on Roland until I see him against college competition. I know the Gamecocks are counting on him to help right away in the passing game.

Scratches (D'ham, NC)

McCarron a Heisman contender? Do you really think Saban will let Nussmeier run an offense that could even allow a QB to put up Heisman-worthy numbers? I know he played his best game in the biggest game, but Saban sure seems to like running the ball more.

Chris Low

  (1:45 PM)

McCarron threw for more than 2,600 yards this season, and the Tide brought him along slowly. I think Saban will do what he feels like he needs to do to win a title, and McCarron will be one of his best offensive weapons next season. If McCarron throws for more than 3,000 yards and the Tide are playing for another national title again, I could definitely see McCarron in the Heisman talk.

Bryan (Springdale, AR)

Do you think that Bobby Petrino is convinced that although it would be great to have a stout defense, that his super-offense and a average defense can it get it done in the SEC West?

Chris Low

  (1:47 PM)

Nope, I've had that very conversation with Bobby. He knows that that the defense has to play at a higher level than it has to win a title in the SEC. That's the reason he made a change this year at defensive coordinator.

James (Hilton Head Island)

I guess that comes with speaking the truth about the Vols. Just for the record us "Carolina fans" don't dislike you and I personally read your blog everday. Thanks for the response and keep up the great work.

Chris Low

  (1:48 PM)

Thanks and I can't wait to get back to Hilton Head and play some golf.

William (Atlanta, GA)

Do you think the old time rivalry games like UT v. AL and AU v. GA will continue in the "new" SEC?

Chris Low

  (1:49 PM)

I know that's a priority of the league, but it's going to be a challenge in developing this new schedule over the next 10 years or so with Texas A&M and Missouri added.

Tony (Richmond, CA)

Will Qunita Funderburk have a breakout year for the Hogs this season?

Chris Low

  (1:51 PM)

Funderburk and Wade both will get every chance to show what they can do in 2012. Hamilton figures to be the go-to guy, but Funderburk and Wade need to play big roles.

Pollster (Athens, Ga)

Chris, while Murray's td's have been impressive, he is 2-9 against ranked teams. Why has he struggled so poorly, and how do we fix it, new QB or coach?

Chris Low

  (1:54 PM)

Murray would be the first to tell you that he's going to be judged by how he plays in the big games. Let's give him credit for beating Florida last season. He's also just played two seasons. He'll be a junior this coming season. Let's see what his record is after this coming season.

Morgan (Atlanta )

what is your favorite rivalry in the SEC?

Chris Low

  (1:54 PM)

Alabama-Auburn followed closely by Florida-Georgia.

James (Columbia, MO)

How many (if any) all-SEC players do you see coming from Mizzou next FB season?

Chris Low

  (1:58 PM)

Their left tackle, Fisher, if he's healthy would be up there.

John (Little Rock)

Will Auburn's defense and offense improve with the addition of two new coaches?

Chris Low

  (2:01 PM)

Yes on both counts. The Tigers will be more experienced on defense, and that will help. They have a chance to be very good in the defensive line if everybody stays healthy. The offense will change under Loeffler. This is a big offseason for Kiehl Frazier, too.

Jeff (Tulsa)

With them all breaking in new QB's, who has the better QB situation this year....LSU, UF, Auburn?

Chris Low

  (2:01 PM)

I'd say LSU and Mettenberger.

RT (Jax, Fla)

The pose of young SEC QB's in big games like Shaw and AJ have been impressive, looking for those 2 in the Championship, agree?

Chris Low

  (2:02 PM)

Yep, this could be as good a crop of quarterbacks as we've seen in this league if guys like Mettenberger emerge and Bray returns to his form prior to breaking his thumb.

Chris Low

  (2:03 PM)

Gotta run. Thanks for stopping by, and we'll catch up next week. Be safe.