Who will challenge Alabama in the SEC?

Alabama’s top competition in the division this fall , maybe its only competition in the division , is likely to come from across the state.
With the majority of its offense intact, Alabama showed during the spring that it may be even more explosive than last season. Meanwhile, the Tide is reaping the rewards of several top-rated recruiting classes in pulling up talented youngsters to fill holes on defense.
Auburn, meanwhile, looks as deep as it’s been in several years, with most of its offensive line intact, good depth at receiver and in the defensive front seven and promise in the secondary. If Cam Newton lives up to his considerable billing, 10 wins should be an attainable goal.
Meanwhile, the two other programs that have been fixtures in the SEC West hunt the past two years — LSU and Ole Miss — both have offensive issues that aren’t likely to be smoothed over come fall. Both have concerns at quarterback, as neither Nathan Stanley nor Raymond Cotton has set the world on fire in Oxford, and Jarrett "Pick Six" Lee outperformed returning starter Jordan Jefferson through much of the spring in Baton Rouge.
That is not good news for the Tigers.
Jefferson misfired on nine of his first 10 attempts in LSU’s spring game, finishing 8-of-23 for 94 yards with one interception and four sacks. Lee was marginally better, completing 10 of 20 passes for 114 yards, one touchdown and one pick. But, yes, that interception was returned for a touchdown by Craig Loston.
At Ole Miss, Stanley did make some progress as spring wore on, completing 11 of 16 passes for 165 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the second-team defense in the Grove Bowl. His only two throws against the starting defense were both intercepted, however. Cotton, the former Blount and Faith Academy standout, was slowed at the end of spring by a partially torn labrum in his throwing shoulder.
Add the fact that the Rebels lost their leading rusher (Dexter McCluster), leading receiver (Shay Hodge) and best three offensive linemen (John Jerry, Daverin Geralds and Reid Neely) and the prospect of another nine-win season seems remote.
Contact Mike Herndon at mherndon@press-register.com.