SEC teams aiming higher this fall

LSU’s sixth national title last season has sparked an interesting set of questions.

With the Tigers recruiting at a high level and the return of several key players this fall, many wonder if they’re due to consistently dominate the SEC like old times.

Perhaps there are some out there that agree with the notion. The SEC, though, is much different now than it was 15 years ago. It’s the nation’s best conference.

LSU enters fall workouts with stud pitcher Anthony Ranaudo and others back in the mix, but other teams such as Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Alabama, Mississippi and South Carolina also enter fall workouts with high expectations.

The Wildcats welcome back weekend starter James Paxton, Vanderbilt welcomes back several key offensive cogs, Alabama has a new head coach and several good hitters, Ole Miss has ace pitcher Drew Pomeranz and South Carolina is finally primed to make a return trip to Omaha.

Several teams enter fall workouts a step ahead of the rest of the pack. But as history has shown the past few seasons, those that enter the fall in great shape don’t always end the spring on top of the standings.

The element of surprise is alive and well in the SEC. There are still constants, though.

Alabama

Biggest loss. OF Kent Matthes

What to watch. It’s the dawn of a new era for the Crimson Tide. After several years of coach Jim Wells, the Tide handed the reins to Mitch Gaspard this summer. We’ll see if he still has some magic left. The Crimson Tide is without power hitters Kent Matthes and Brandon May this fall, but welcomes back a talented offensive lineup with Jake Smith, Ross Wilson, Taylor Dugas and Josh Rutledge leading the way. Offense is in good shape, but the pitching staff has something to prove. The unit finished last season with a 5.13 ERA and must establish some consistency this fall without Austin Hyatt and Del Howell. Alabama is in great shape if the pitching staff rises to the occasion.

Arkansas

Biggest loss. P Dallas Keuchel

What to watch. The Razorbacks enter fall workouts with an interesting club. Sure, they are without ace pitcher Dallas Keuchel, reliever Stephen Richards and leaders Ben Tschepikow and Chase Leavitt. However, they return several key pieces from last year’s College World Series club. Hard-hitting Andy Wilkins and Zack Cox lead the offense and Bo Bigham hopes to continue where he left off last season. On the mound, the Hogs received a boost when Mike Bolsinger decided to return to college. Brett Eibner and Drew Smyly are expected to return to the weekend rotation in the spring. Arkansas has some question marks, but also has key cogs in the right places.

Auburn

Biggest loss. 3B Joseph Sanders

What to watch. The first season of the John Pawlowski era didn’t exactly go as planned. The Tigers hoped to take a step forward with several key hitters back last season, but still finished the campaign with a 31-25 record and missed the postseason. That needs to change next season. Auburn certainly will miss Joseph Sanders, who finished last season hitting .320 with 19 homers and 55 RBIs. But there are plenty reasons to believe this team will soon take a step forward. First, the offense should improve this fall with the return of Justin Hargett, Brian Fletcher, Trent Mummey, Casey McElroy and Hunter Morris. The Tigers also welcome back four top pitchers in Austin Hubbard, Grant Dayton, Bradley Hendrix and Jon Luke Jacobs. Keep an eye on these guys this fall.

Florida

Biggest loss. OF Avery Barnes

What to watch. The Gators better be glad Kevin O’Sullivan’s coaching staff recruits at a high level. UF has some tough holes to fill this fall but still is in good shape. On the mound, the Gators must replace top relievers Tony Davis and Billy Bullock. They also must replace Patrick Keating and Stephen Locke, which appeared in 34 games last season. At the plate, replacing Avery Barnes and Brandon McArthur won’t be easy. Still, the Gators are in good shape. Preston Tucker, Josh Adams and Matt den Dekker lead a talented offense and Anthony DeSclafani and Nick Maronde earned valuable experience as weekend starters at times last season. UF’s talent will show this fall.

Georgia

Biggest loss. 1B Rich Poythress

What to watch. The Bulldogs will have a tough time getting back to Omaha unless some younger players rise to the occasion this fall and in the spring. Georgia has some big-time holes to fill, and that’s putting it mildly. Georgia must replace key hitters Rich Poythress, Bryce Massanari, Matt Cerione and Joey Lewis. That equates to four of their top five hitters. On the mound, the Bulldogs must replace Trevor Holder, Will Harvil and Dean Weaver. The Bulldogs certainly have a sketchy offense entering the fall, but the pitching staff still is in good shape. Alex McRee will be healthy and should return to his usual form and Justin Grimm returns after a strong summer. There’s also Cecil Tanner, Mike Palazzone and others. Georgia will be interesting to follow this fall.

Kentucky

Biggest loss. P Chris Rusin

What to watch. The Wildcats fell short of making an NCAA regional last season, but that hiatus is expected to end next spring. UK welcomes back several key cogs from last year’s team, which finished 28-26. The Wildcats must replace Chris Wade at the plate, but welcome back Chris Bisson, Chad Wright, Braden Kapteyn and Marcus Nidiffer. On the mound, the Wildcats couldn’t get much better. Stud pitcher James Paxton decided to return for his senior season and sophomore Alex Meyer is one of the nation’s top arms in his classification. UK also welcomes back key reliever Logan Darnell. UK has several reasons to feel confident this fall.

Louisiana State

Biggest loss. P Louis Coleman

What to watch. It will be an interesting fall for the defending national champions. The Tigers dazzled everyone last season with an amazing run through the CWS. But now, the Tigers must find a way to get things done without four of their top five hitters in DJ LeMahieu, Ryan Schimpf, Sean Ochinko and Jared Mitchell. But most important, the Tigers are without pitcher and leader Louis Coleman, who finished last season 14-2 with a 2.93 ERA in 129 innings. This team should compete for the national title even with those departures. Blake Dean’s return is huge for the offense and the pitching staff is in good shape with Anthony Ranaudo leading the way. The biggest question might be Matty Ott and whether the Tigers decide to move him to the weekend rotation. It will be fall as usual for the Tigers.

Mississippi

Biggest loss. OF Jordan Henry

What to watch. The Rebels are similar to Florida in the sense they lose several key players but have recruited well enough the past few seasons to overcome some tough departures. At least that better be the case this fall and in the spring. The Rebels have a plethora of holes to fill. Hitters Jordan Henry, Kyle Henson, Evan Button, Logan Power and Brett Basham have departed. The Rebels were hit even harder on the mound this past summer with the departures of Scott Bittle, Brett Bukvich, Phillip Irwin and Nathan Baker. Ace pitcher Drew Pomeranz gives the Rebels a true ace entering fall workouts. The offense, though, has some work to do with several tough hitters to replace. If the Rebels are due for a rebuilding year, it’ll be 2010.

Mississippi State

Biggest loss. C Scott DeLoach

What to watch. Just a few weeks after taking the State job last fall, coach John Cohen made it perfectly clear he expected the Bulldogs to struggle in his first year. But Cohen expects a different outcome in year two beginning this fall. The Bulldogs lose a couple good hitters in Scott DeLoach and Grant Hogue, but welcome back the bulk of their lineup with the return of Ryan Duffy, Jet Butler, Russ Sneed and Connor Powers. The offense is in good shape, but the pitching staff has much work to do for this program to return to its successful ways. Nick Routt and Tyler Whitney give the Bulldogs a pair of reliable arms on the weekend, but the rest of the staff is sketchy after finishing last season with a 6.57 ERA. State will make huge strides if the pitching staff elevates their game.

South Carolina

Biggest loss. OF DeAngelo Mack

What to watch. The Gamecocks have their best chance in a few seasons to return to Omaha with the club back this fall. Sure, they will have a tough time replacing key hitters DeAngelo Mack and Justin Dalles. But if there’s an area where the Gamecocks can afford a few losses, it’s at the plate. Jackie Bradley, Whit Merrifield, Parker Bangs and Nick Ebert lead the offense. But perhaps most exciting for the first time in a while is the pitching staff, which welcomes back weekend starters Sam Dyson, Nolan Belcher and Blake Cooper. There’s no question the Gamecocks will solidify the offense this fall. Now the pressure is on the pitching staff to help this team meet expectations.

Tennessee

Biggest loss. OF Kentrail Davis

What to watch. It’s about time for Todd Raleigh and the Volunteers to take a step forward and get back to an NCAA regional. The Vols had hoped to get back on track last season, but finished the campaign with a 26-29 record. Now, without leading hitter Kentrail Davis and often-used pitchers Nick Hernandez and Ty’Relle Harris, the Vols must find a way to return to their successful ways. The offense is expected to be in good shape this fall with the return of Cody Hawn, Blake Forsythe, Josh Liles and P.J. Polk. The pitching staff, though, is a huge question mark. This unit finished last season with a dismal 6.16 ERA, and even top prospect Bryan Morgado had a 6.36 ERA in 52 1/3 innings in ’09. UT can be competitive in the SEC if the pitching staff improves.

Vanderbilt

Biggest loss. P Mike Minor

What to watch. The Commodores have an interesting fall on their hands. With the departures of weekend starters Mike Minor and Caleb Cotham in addition to veteran hurler Nick Christiani, most observers tend to believe VU is due for a down season. That shouldn’t be the case, though. Sonny Gray, Russell Brewer Chase Reid and Drew Hayes are back this fall. The Commodores also expect sophomore Jack Armstrong to make heavy contributions on the mound. Offensively, replacing Steven Liddle won’t be easy. However, the ‘Dores welcome back Aaron Westlake, Curt Casali, Riley Reynolds, Brian Harris, Andrew Giobbi and Jason Esposito. There’s no question VU will have a productive offense. The pitching staff is the question mark.