John Adams: Tennessee will be in the middle of SEC East
Better days are ahead for the SEC East.
That doesn’t mean it will suddenly start kicking the West from sideline to sideline. But maybe it will rise above its punching-bag role.
The SEC East will be more competitive mainly because it will be more offensive. All seven East teams could return at least seven offensive starters. South Carolina will return 10. So will Florida.
And with the exception of Tennessee, every starting quarterback in the division will return in 2017.
Here’s an early, early look at how the East might shape up:
Georgia: The return of running backs Sony Michel and Nick Chubb, coupled with the development of freshman drop-back passer Jacob Eason, could make for a balanced offense. And the defense should be more comfortable in the second year of coach Kirby Smart’s system.
Highly acclaimed recruits in the receiving corps and offensive line could provide an extra boost in areas where the Bulldogs need help.
West opponents: Mississippi State and Auburn.
Florida: Despite all the losses on defense, there are highly touted younger players ready to step into more prominent roles. As a sophomore, Chauncey Gardner Jr. likely will become one of the league’s top defensive backs.
But Florida won’t win a third consecutive division title unless there’s a quarterback upgrade. In a best-case scenario, 6-foot-6 freshman Feleipe Franks will live up to his recruiting billing and beat out veteran Luke Del Rio.
The return of injured Dre Massey should help the receiving corps.
West opponents: LSU and Texas A&M.
Kentucky: The Wildcats will return a large contingent of starters from a 7-6 team that beat Louisville and tied Georgia and Tennessee for second in the East.
A solid offensive line will lose only one starter while Benny Snell will be back to lead the charge on the ground. The Wildcats also have big expectations for running back Asim Rose, who was redshirted this season.
The defense has to get better, though.
West opponents: Ole Miss and Mississippi State.
Tennessee: Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano has the potential to be an offensive force as a freshman. But the defense needs help.
Desperately.
And who knows what coach Butch Jones’ next staff will look like?
West opponents: Alabama and LSU.
South Carolina: The Gamecocks improved from 3-9 to 6-7 in coach Will Muschamp’s first year on the job. Young players had a lot to do with that, especially quarterback Jake Bentley. Freshmen Rico Dowdle and T.J. Turner led the team in rushing. And sophomores Deebo Samuel and Hayden Hurst led the team in receiving.
Injured linebacker Skai Moore, a tackling machine in his first three seasons at South Carolina, is expected to return.
West opponents: Texas A&M and Arkansas.
Missouri: Like Kentucky, the Tigers played better down the stretch. Their improved play coincided with the rise of quarterback Drew Lock, who throws the ball as well as anyone when he’s at his best.
West opponents: Auburn and Arkansas.
Vanderbilt: The Commodores won six regular-season games and beat both Tennessee and Georgia despite starting only a few seniors. They could be even better this go-round if quarterback Kyle Shurmur can become more consistent.
West opponents: Alabama and Ole Miss.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: Twitter.com/johnadamskns.