We most certainly will

Posted on: March 29, 2012 at 17:50:07 CT

although it's possible our offense takes a step back next year regardless. It all depends on who pans out.

Our Heisman caliber running back is out. We've lost 3 O-linemen, an unproven receiving corps, and our QB, who is a good but not great passer is going to miss 6 months of offseason practice with an injury.

I think without Josey at RB, Franklin's running game isn't quite as effective. We were counting on him being a better passer, but not sure that will materialize after this injury.

All those doubts aside. I really do think we'll be better next year. We really only have unproven youth at one position on O-line and there is enough talent to fill it. It's more depth in case of injury I worry about. And we have lots of quality depth at receiver even if not lots of starts. And Lawrence is a servicable enough back that we'll have a good running game either way. I expect us to be the 3rd or 4th best offense in the conference. Certainly no worse than 5th.

If we had Josey back and Franklin able to take a step forward in the passing game, we might well have been #1. Alas.

It's already been proven that the spread can work in the SEC. Florida, Auburn and Kentucky have all had success with it.

Of course, when you face an elite defense, they're going to shut you down if get beat up front. But that's true of traditional offense as well, as evidence by that ugliest game in history played in Alabama last year.

Edited by Doc_Nice at 17:51:01 on 03/29/12