With the start of college football season less than two weeks away, I’ve decided to take a look at who I think are the best players in the conference at their respective positions. Today, it’s the SEC’s signal-callers.

1. Andre Woodson - Kentucky

Woodson’s play last season was really the catalyst of the Wildcats’ Cinderella 8-4 season. It seems like every college football writer in America has drank the Kool-Aid on Woodson and it might be possible to say that the senior quarterback is overrated by no fault of his own. Simply put, there wasn’t a better quarterback in the country, perhaps in the nation, last year than Andre Woodson. The numbers really speak for themselves — 31 TDs, 7 INTs, a 63 percent completion percentage and more than 3,500 yards passing. There’s a reason everyone is drinking the Kool-Aid — Woodson’s the real deal.

2. Erik Ainge - Tennessee

What a difference a year makes. After deciding it might be wise to listen to much-heralded quarterback guru David Cutcliffe, Ainge exploded in ‘06 with 2,989 yards, 19 TDs to 9 INTs and a 67 completion percentage. Ainge will have to rely on his relatively inexperienced receivers to step up and become go-to options given the departure of Jayson Swain and Robert Meachem. I think given the system he plays in, Ainge will emerge as one of the most consistent and accurate, though unspectacular, passers in the conference.

3. Matt Flynn - LSU

Some would claim Flynn’s appearance at the 3 spot is a little high for a quarterback that didn’t play a whole lot in 2006. It’s important to remember that going into 2006, there was a quarterback competition in Baton Rouge between Flynn and Jamarcus Russell highlighted after the way Flynn lit up Miami in the ‘05 Peach Bowl en route to becoming the game’s offensive MVP. LSU is now Matt Flynn’s team and he has to find a way to step out of Russell’s shadow. And he will. While Flynn may not have the cannon arm and effortless throwing motion that the big fella from Mobile had, he does have a mobility and a presense in the pocket that will give the Tigers the ability to run packages and plays that they were not able to given Russell’s limited mobility. When you factor in the weapons LSU has on offense (especially Early Doucet), you have to figure Flynn is poised for a breakout year.

4. Brandon Cox - Auburn

When it’s all said and done, the senior from Trussville, Ala. might be the most underrated passer in the SEC. This year, all eyes are on Cox and the Tigers offense is only going to go as far as their quarterback can take them. However, Cox’s health will be a big piece in that puzzle. Having been sacked 34 times last year, the Tigers’ offensive line will have to do a better job of protecting their quarterback and Cox will have to learn to be a more accurate and efficient passer coming off a season where he completed just 60 percent of his passes. I put Cox in the same category as Ainge: consistent but unspectacular.

5. Matthew Stafford - Georgia

The first true freshman to start at Georgia since Eric Zeier certainly took him lumps last year. Having played in all 13 games in ‘06, Stafford comes into ‘07 with a tremendous upside that has Bulldog fans eying a return to glory (and hopefully a win against those pesky Gators). One thing Stafford must improve is letting the game come to him and not forcing the ball into tight spaces. Too many times last season, the true freshman forced a pass that led to a turnover though those instances became fewer as the season wore on. Still Stafford must improve from an ‘06 season in which he threw 13 interceptions and just 7 touchdowns and completed only 52 percent of his passes. There’s a lot riding on Matthew Stafford this season, I just wonder if he’s ready.

6.Tim Tebow - Florida

With Chris Leak gone, Tim Tebow will have to prove that he’s an actual quarterback in 2007 and not a weird H-back/quarterback hybrid. Tebow appears this low on the list because I don’t feel like anyone saw enough of him as a true quarterback to make an accurate assessment of his ability to consistently run an offense every down and he may not do it this year either. Meyer said he would like to have an offense that features two quarterbacks as he did last year (which I think is insane). Still, all Tebow needs to do is get the ball in the hands of Percy Harvin and let him “do what he do.” Tebow could very well appear at the top of this list next year but first he must prove that he is a quarterback and not a novelty.

7. John Parker Wilson - Alabama

The measure of a good quarterback is how he performs under pressure. John Parker Wilson wasn’t very good under pressure last season. Wilson didn’t show up in the big games and played like a middle-of-the-pack quarterback in ‘06, throwing 17 TDs on way to 10 INTs. Frankly, I’m not expecting much more in ‘07. Though he spent much of last season running for his life, Wilson did show that though he wasn’t great with the game on the line, he did hold up to punishment and was an effective scrambler. Returning all five starters from last year’s line, he may have to do the same this year. Parker must improve and quickly or I believe Nick Saban will begin looking around his sideline for a replacement.

8. Chris Nickson - Vanderbilt

Whether or not this is the year that Vanderbilt breaks its bowl-less drought will rest heavily on the shoulders of junior quarterback Chris Nickson.  Nickson had a little bit of a breakout year in his first year as a starter, throwing for more than 2,000 yards but his accuracy was spotty (52 percent completion percentage) and he struggled to hit open receivers. Still Nickson is an exciting quarterback to watch, very elusive, a threat to run every time he drops back (accounted for 694 rushing yards last season) and he’s got one of the SEC’s best receivers in Earl Bennett lining up wide. Nickson could, and needs, to take a big step forward this year.

9. Blake Mitchell - South Carolina

I’ve gotta be honest. It’s really difficult for me to get over the fact that Blake Mitchell wears that goofy facemask and has a tribal armband tattoo but that not withstanding he’s a decent enough quarterback. Last year, he had a lot of ups and downs. Played very well at times, played horribly at times. Got arrested at times. You know, the usual. Still one can’t help but wonder if Mitchell is just keeping the seat warm for true freshman Stephen Garcia, if he can stay out of handcuffs long enough to buckle his chinstrap. For the time being though, it appears the job is Mitchell’s to lose. He will have to improve his decision making and accuracy and will have to do so behind a relatively inexperience offensive line that is struggling to find cohesion.

10. Casey Dick - Arkansas

Arkansas fans should get very used to this image. With the best pair of running backs, arguably, in the country lining up behind him, Arkansas QB Casey Dick will be handing the ball off — a lot. Consider this, Dick threw the ball just 132 times despite the fact that he played in all but 4 of the Razorbacks’ games last season. Dick will be the Arkansas version of Trent Dilfer, if and when he is asked to throw the ball, he needs to make the most of his opportunities and be an efficient and accurate passer. No one is asking  him to be Vince Young and win games on his own. Thankfully.
11. Seth Adams - Ole Miss

I firmly believe that Adams, a former walkon, will beat out last year’s starter Brent Schaeffer for the starting job at some point in this season. Though not as athletic as his counterpart Schaeffer, Adams has exponentially better decision making and accuracy. The Rebels offense will miss Schaeffer’s athleticism but not his erratic play in the pocket. Adams will not be asked to do much, mostly hand the ball to BenJarvus Green-Ellis but must show that he does not have the penchant for throwing poor interceptions that Schaeffer has.

12. Michael Henig - Miss. State

Given that he had the build of a place kicker, it’s not surprising that Mississippi State quarterback Michael Henig missed time in 2006 after breaking his collarbone. Well Henig has beefed up some and is ready for his junior year. Henig will need to become a little better at eluding the run and not taking rushers head on. In other words, get down. Accuracy is, of course, a concern for any quarterback but especially for a quarterback who completed just 43 percent of his passes last year (as Henig did). Let’s be honest though, this team is going to be putrid and will be lucky to win one conference game.

Slow weekend filled with episodes of Degrassi and watching The Number 23, which was pretty unspectacular. I believe in Jim Carrey’s ability as an effective dramatic actor but this movie just missed the mark. The twist at the end is pretty decent but for a 98 minute movie, the flick does drag on a little. Still a decent watch if you’re bored enough.

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No, seriously…

Cops in Bangkok love Hello Kitty…

A man in Denver tries to rob a library.

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The Indiana Daily Student says tight end Blake Powers’ arrest for accidentally throwing a water balloon at an off-duty cop is indicative of a large problem. I think it’s a slow summer and they’re over-reacting.

Steve Spurrier is really not that stoked about South Carolina’s admission process.

Jamarcus Russell’s holdout to go into September? It’s hard not to be reminded of what happened with Philip Rivers in. He held out, missed a bunch of camp and Drew Brees came in and revamped his career. Could the same thing happen with Daunte Culpepper?

Sports Illustrated’s Peter King checks in from training camp.

Jermaine O’Neal wants to be dealt to the Lakers. As a Pacer fan, I think J.O. is a complete malcontent and hasn’t shown up to play for the Pacers in at least two seasons. If the Pacers can get value for him (which I don’t think they can — Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom is not going to cut it) then they should deal him.

The Fanhouse has begun its SEC preview. Good stuff.

• The underdogs.
• The toughest schedules.
• The conference’s most overrated players.
• Coaches on the hot seat.
• Biggest shoes to fill.
• Position battles.
• Five impact freshmen.

Slate magazine wonders what it would be like if all the major sports allowed doping.

New York’s ten best interviews in sports.

The Indianapolis Star’s Terry Hutchens on the Hoosiers first day of football practice.

The Detroit Free Press on what to watch this year from Michigan/Michigan State.

Matt Flynn is ready to go as LSU quarterback.

Will highly touted Tennessee freshmen cornerback Eric Berry also see time at QB?

There is no question that Georgia will only go as far as Matthew Stafford can take them.

Freshmen looking to make a difference for Gators.

Texas rookie Amobi Okoye on his childhood in Nigeria.

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Well rounded news….

New York Magazine on being a Bravo reality star.

Some really amazing fan-made posters for the new J.J. Abrams project, whatever the name of that is.

Steve Jobs IMs the Times?

The San Fransisco Chronicle’s Mick LaSalle asks who is the greatest living director?

Tom Hanks to star in Farenheit 451?

The Philadelphia Inquirer’s 2007 songs of summer.

Yikes.

Those were my exact thoughts when I read Les Miles comments about USC and their schedule, comments that he has since backed down from. (Comments that may or may not have stemmed from residual bitterness over losing top Louisiana prospect Joe McKnight to Southern Cal). And probably wisely so. As good as the Tigers will be this year, they’re not USC. Miles’ team is hands-down the favorite to win the SEC and a BCS championship between the Tigers and Trojans would be any sportswriters dream. The game would force Miles’ team to cash a check that his mouth wrote. After sniping USC, the Pac 10 and Alabama, it’s clear that Miles is pretty confident about his team this year and he should be.

It’s amazing to think that despite the departure of JaMarcus Russell, Dwayne Bowe, Craig Davis and LaRon Landry, LSU is still the favorite to win the SEC West and the conference championship. At quarterback, the Tigers will start senior Matt Flynn, who famously filled in for Russell in the Peach Bowl trouncing of the Miami Hurricanes in 2005. Flynn is a consistent, accurate quarterback and his mobility will give the Tigers offense, and new offensive coordinator Gary Crowton, some additional play-calling options. Expect to see a running back by committee in the backfield, with Crowton promising to “go with the hot hand” with Alley Broussard, Keiland Williams and Charles Scott all seeing some time. Replacing Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis won’t be easy, but you can’t be too worried if you have Early Doucet lining up wide. If Brandon LaFell and speedster Trindon Holliday can become consistent scoring threats, the LSU offense will be as multi-faceted and dangerous as any in the conference. With three starters returning on the offensive line, and a fourth if you include oft-injured right guard Will Arnold, the success of this offense will rely on the success of the line to stay healthy, open holes for the running backs, and protecting Matt Flynn and giving him time to find Doucet, LaFell, Holliday and tight end Richard Dickson.

Every offensive coordinator in the conference had to have been slamming their head against their desk when they found out that LSU’s defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey (an almost sure-fire first round pick after his junior year) decided to come back for his senior year in Baton Rouge. But for all the attention Dorsey gets, the Tigers will use a four-man rotation at tackle that will include Charles Alexander, Marlon Favorite and sophomore Al Woods coming in to spell Dorsey. Needless to say, running on the Tigers won’t be easy. With Tyson Jackson coming off the left end and Kirston Pittman, Rahim Alem and Tremaine Johnson all sharing time at right end, passing against the Bayou Bengals won’t be that much fun either.

At linebacker, the Tigers will return all three linebackers from last year. With the addition of some underclassmen who saw playing time last year as freshman, defensive coordinator Bo Pelini says this is the best corps he’s had since he arrived in Baton Rouge. With seniors Chevis Jackson and Jonathan Zenon starting at the corners, junior Curtis Taylor and senior Craig Steltz won’t face a baptism by fire as they try to replace four-year starters LaRon Landry and Jessie Daniels. The success of this defense will absolutely rely on how well this unit plays. If Jackson and Zenon can hold their own against the best receivers in the conference, it will free up Steltz and Taylor to fly around and make plays.

Few teams in the SEC this season have a schedule that is more favorable for a national championship run than LSU. Death Valley will play host to Virginia Tech, Florida, Auburn, South Carolina and Arkansas. The Tigers have a road schedule that is as weak, if not weaker, than Florida’s with games on the road against doormats Mississippi State, Ole Miss, an improving Kentucky team and a game in New Orleans against an overmatched Tulane team. But then there’s that game on Nov. 3 against what’s his name in Tuscaloosa. The storylines will be interesting but the game won’t be. Alabama isn’t there yet.

Bottom Line prediction: 11-1. My sole concern will this team is Miles himself. He’s done an awful lot of talking this offseason and I can’t help but wonder how Miles’ mouth will detrimentally affect his team this year. That week 2 game against ACC-favorite Virginia Tech at home could be an early season stumbling block. There’s also those tricky Gators that could easily hand the Tigers their sole loss of the season. Given their favorable road schedule, the Bayou Bengals will win the SEC West and be in national championship contention. Oh I can only hope we’re looking at a USC/LSU national championship.

Coming tomorrow: Arkansas

Ok so my draft news boycott lasted about 24 hours but I couldn’t help myself when I saw this column on Yahoo! Sports by Charles Robinson. The article is rare for a couple reasons:

1. It’s not AP. Almost everything that lands on my news reader from Yahoo! Sports is AP and not written by staff.

2. It is the first column I’ve seen that has used the word “bad” in connection with anything that JaMarcus Russell has done.

I don’t disagree with Robinson though. I think that Russell is not a slam dunk as many have hailed him as being but I think the Raiders don’t want to be the organization that passed on JaMarcus Russell. Taking Calvin Johnson is a great pick, if not a considerably safer pick, but it won’t sit too well with the members of the Black Hole that know that their teams most pressing need (besides a new owner) is quarterback. I think what the Raiders are hoping is that the Dolphins will pull the trigger on the Trent Green deal and cut Daunte Culpepper but I doubt that will happen before Saturday.

While Russell looked impressive against Notre Dame, let’s remember — THEY WERE PLAYING NOTRE DAME and it’s laughably bad defense. I’ve heard LSU fans on sports talk radio shows talking about how good Russell looked against bad defenses and how he struggled in the big games against the likes of Florida and Tennessee.

When a team drafts JaMarcus Russell, whoever that team is and I’m pretty sure it will still be Oakland, they are drafting completely on upside. They are drafting that rocket arm and seemingly effortless throwing motion, they are not drafting his complete body of work at LSU.