Alabama will repeat as national champions but its running back, Mark Ingram, has some serious competition in the race for the Heisman Trophy, according to voters in WholeHogSports.com’s Best on the Beat poll.
On Monday we revealed how 12 SEC beat writers picked the SEC in the first part of the WholeHogSports.com poll, which featured Alabama as the SEC champion and Ryan Mallett as the best offensive and overall player in the conference.
In the final part of the poll, we reveal how the beat writers see the national landscape evolving this season.
Ingram, Alabama’s running back who will be sidelined at least one week after a procedure on his left knee Monday, is expected to have some competition from Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor and Pittsburgh’s Dion Lewis for the Heisman Trophy.
Ingram and Pryor had three votes apiece in the preseason poll, followed by Lewis with two votes.
And it’s no contest for the national championship as Alabama is expected to repeat with seven votes.
Here’s how each beat writer voted in the poll, which also includes their SEC upset of the year and surprise team in the SEC.
BEST ON THE BEAT — EYE-OPENERS
GENTRY ESTES, Mobile Press-Register
SEC UPSET OF THE YEAR
Alabama at South Carolina
Why? The SEC is simply too tough to go through a regular season unbeaten for three straight years. The Gamecocks played the Tide straight-up for most of last season’s game in Tuscaloosa and for Alabama this trip is coming off what would be emotionally draining victories over Arkansas and Florida.
SURPRISE TEAM IN SEC
South Carolina
Why? With programs at Georgia and Tennessee reeling a bit, an experienced quarterback, proven defense and young offensive weapons, the pieces are in place for Spurrier to make some noise in the Eastern Division.
HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER
Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Alabama vs. Ohio State
Winner: Alabama
—–
TOM MURPHY, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
SEC UPSET OF THE YEAR
Arkansas over Alabama
Why? This might not qualify as an upset when the date arrives, especially if Arkansas wins the previous week at Georgia. The Razorbacks are due to have better performances in their biggest games and Razorback Stadium will be roaring for this one.
SURPRISE TEAM IN SEC
Georgia
Why? The East is down, drastically down by the measure of recent history, and Georgia has plenty enough talent to outlast Florida in the division. Arkansas would be the pick here only if the Razorbacks can win the West, because people are expecting the Hogs to challenge.
HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER
Landry Jones, Oklahoma
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Oklahoma vs. Ohio State
Winner: Oklahoma
—–
ANDY BITTER, The Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer
SEC UPSET OF THE YEAR
Arkansas over Alabama
Why? The Crimson Tide will still be breaking players in on defense this early in the season. The Razorbacks aren’t a great team to do that against, especially in Fayetteville.
SURPRISE TEAM IN SEC
Auburn
Why? The Tigers have a favorable schedule that includes four non-conference games at home, including Clemson, and most of its key SEC games at Jordan-Hare Stadium (South Carolina, Arkansas, LSU and Georgia). Ten wins is a real possibility.
HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER
Dion Lewis, Pittsburgh
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Boise State vs. Ohio State
Winner: Boise State
—–
MICHAEL DIROCCO, Florida Times-Union
SEC UPSET OF THE YEAR
Arkansas over Alabama in Fayetteville.
Why? Ryan Mallett and those receivers vs. three new starters in the secondary. Even with Nick Saban, the edge goes to the Hogs.
SURPRISE TEAM IN SEC
Ole Miss
Why? Houston Nutt seems to do well when not much is expected. Plus, the addition of Jeremiah Masoli makes the offense much better.
HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER
Christian Ponder, Florida State
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Alabama vs. Ohio State
Winner: Ohio State
—–
MARC WEISZER, Athens Banner Herald
SEC UPSET OF THE YEAR
Ole Miss over Auburn
Why? Rebels get Tigers at home after Auburn plays Arkansas and LSU back-to-back
SURPRISE TEAM IN SEC
Georgia.
Why? Softer schedule. 10 offensive starters back. More aggressive defense. No Tebow at Florida.
HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER
Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Ohio State vs Alabama
Winner: Ohio State
—–
BRETT DAWSON, Louisville Courier-Journal
SEC UPSET OF THE YEAR
Mississippi State over Arkansas
Why? More than anything, it’s a show of faith in what Dan Mullen is doing
at Mississippi State. The Bulldogs gave a couple of solid teams a run for
their money last season in Starkville. Something tells me this year they’ll
close the deal on one.
SURPRISE TEAM IN SEC
South Carolina
Why? Every year Steve Spurrier says he hopes this is the year South
Carolina makes a move in the SEC East. This year, the Gamecocks look good
enough – and East wide-open enough – to get it done.
HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER
Mark Ingram
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Alabama vs. Ohio State
Winner: Alabama
—–
GLENN GUILBEAU, Louisiana Gannett newspapers
SEC UPSET OF THE YEAR
Arkansas 27, Alabama 21
Why? Bobby Petrino slays the dragon of the SEC with his first major victory since his Louisville days.
SURPRISE TEAM IN SEC
Arkansas
Why? Arkansas because Bobby Petrino and Ryan Mallett come into their own at the same time.
HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER
Mark Ingram
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Alabama vs. Texas
Winner: Texas
—–
KYLE VEAZEY, The Clarion-Ledger
SEC UPSET OF THE YEAR
South Carolina over Florida
Why? Just feel like this might be S.C.’s year to do something.
SURPRISE TEAM IN SEC
Auburn
Why? Not sure it’s a big surprise, but there’s a lot of talent there to win a bunch.
HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER
Mark Ingram
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Alabama
—–
DAVID BRANDT, The Clarion-Ledger
SEC UPSET OF THE YEAR
Georgia over Florida
Why? For some reason, I think Mark Richt is due. (Though I think Georgia will stumble later in the season and Florida will recover)
SURPRISE TEAM IN SEC
Auburn
Why? Recruiting great talent. Good offense.
HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER
Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Alabama vs. Ohio State
Winner: Alabama
—–
TRAVIS HANEY, The Post and Courier
SEC UPSET OF THE YEAR
Georgia over Florida
Why? Given the history, it’s a huge upset anytime Bulldogs beat Gators. Especially in a year in which Mark Richt is supposedly on the “hot seat.”
SURPRISE TEAM IN SEC
South Carolina
Why? Why not? Got all the right ingredients. Most returning talent, experience in Spurrier’s six years. One of only returning QBs in league. Skill players are underrated, particularly if Marcus Lattimore is ready right now. It makes sense. Almost too much sense. If it’s not Gamecocks, it’s Georgia. Bulldogs return a ton of talent on offense and break in a much better QB than they had in 2009. If Grantham’s 3-4 catches on, Bulldogs could be surprise winner of league. Everyone’s down on Richt. Makes sense UGA would win now.
HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER
Kellen Moore, Boise
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Alabama vs. Ohio State
Winner: Alabama
—–
WES RUCKER, The Chattanooga Times Free Press
SEC UPSET OF THE YEAR
Mississippi State beating Georgia in Starkville.
Why? I have a hunch that Mississippi State is going to upset a team this season. I obviously don’t know which team that will be, but hosting Georgia in late September seems like a decent bet. I think Georgia will be a much better team late in the season than early — new defensive scheme, new starting quarterback, etc. — and State could score a big win for Dan Mullen.
SURPRISE TEAM IN SEC
South Carolina
Why? South Carolina doesn’t have nearly the same depth as the Alabamas and Floridas of the league, but the Gamecocks have added a few top-shelf talents at offensive skill positions in the past few years. Combine that with a tough defense and a talented senior quarterback — even one as frustratingly inconsistent as Stephen Garcia — and you have the pieces for a nice run in league play. And aside from that, the bottom half of the SEC East looks pretty bad.
HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER
Dion Lewis
, Pittsburg
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Alabama vs. Ohio State
Winner: Alabama
—–
JEFF LOCKRIDGE, The Tennesseean
SEC UPSET OF THE YEAR
Kentucky over Georgia; Ole Miss over Auburn; Mississippi State over Arkansas
Why? Spotty defenses blow at least one should-win road game
SURPRISE TEAM IN SEC
Ole Miss
Why? Play three weakest links in SEC East; Jeremiah Masoli boosts offense; low expectations
HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER
Jake Locker, Washington
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Alabama vs. Ohio State
Winner: Alabama
cant wait!!
The message boards are going CRAZY…….
Your mouth to God’s ears, Tom Murphy. Boomer Sooner!
I guess I need to read up on Ohio State…since most everyone is picking them to make it the the NC. Whoever from the SEC is also there will beat them like a drum.
heard a little while ago Mark Ingram at Alabama had knee surgery,guess Trent Richardson will be the main back now,they say he is overall better than Mark,yea right,it was Ingram that won the Heisman.
FYI: These votes were submitted before news of Mark Ingram’s knee injury and the late-breaking news that the NCAA has denied immediately eligibility for Ole Miss’ Jeremiah Masoli.
quiet a few picked Arkansas to upset Alabama,quiet a few picked Mississippi St to upset Arkansas,as TU PAC saids in that song California,WELCOME TO THE WILD WILD WEST.
Brandon say huh? What does that mean for Masoli? Does it mean he will need to take a redshirt year, or will possibly be eligible later in the season?
Upset of the Year: Arkansas over Alabama
Why?: Arkansas’ defense will be better than what almost everyone thinks, fresh faces in the Tide secondary, and Bama might be peeking around the corner for their home game the next week vs. Florida.
Surprise team in the SEC: Arkansas
Why?: everyone is picking Alabama to win everything, and it will come as a shock to most people that the UA taking on Florida in the SEC Championship Game is Arkansas and not Alabama.
Heisman Trophy winner: Terrell Pryor
National Championship:
Ohio St vs. Oklahoma
Winner: Ohio St
Sugar Bowl: Arkansas over Iowa
Final record/rank: (13-1) #3
I’m not sure if I actually believe what I’m writing, but it sure sounds like a blast!
Win- are you claiming Arkansas loses to Florida in the SECCG, or they trip up somewhere else along the road? Because if Arky beats Alamaba, the chances of beating the rest of their regular season schedule is pretty sweet, I’d say. But if Arky and Florida go to Atlanta, I’m going to pick Arkansas. I’m not sold on Brantley- He’s only ever played when the other teams has said “shoot, Tebow’s out, that means they’re just counting their marbles now…” I think he’ll get flustered really early, really quickly against a fresh SEC defense that’s allowed to tackle him.
Same goes for Newton, in case y’all care.
Win
I love your post….I’ll be pumped if we finish with that record, 11-1 is pie in the sky but I’ll take it. We just need to get through these first 3 games. The first 2 cupcake games will be telling. I’m excited to see how we perform and I think we will learn more in week 2 vs ULM. The UGA game is going to be a grueling.
Steve,your right,those first two games will be telling,1 Get a feeling if the defense has improved,2if the running backs are going to show up this year,3have the special teams improved,4 anxious to see if Zack Hocker can put some in the endzone on kickoffs.
Win,
Only issue I have is “if” Arkansas goes 12-1 heading into the bowl games they better be playing for the National Championship. I guess the only thing that could allow your scenario to happen is if we go undefeated, then lose to a 10-2 or 9-3 SEC East school. That coupled with at least two undefeated BCS schools and we would be on the outside looking in.
That being said, I think it will be incredibly difficult for us to go undefeated. It takes a solid defense to do so and we have yet to see our “better” defense take the field. Also, outside of our quarterback and receivers, there are really no other stellar areas on the field. Yes, the defense should be better, hopefully special teams will be better, hopefully the backs will be better.
Right now I’m taking the wait and see approach. I think we’ll have a good idea where we stand three weeks from now after the GA game.
MissippHog,dont leave the O Line out,Mallett would not have put up those numbers last year,without a little help from his freinds.
True, offensive line did really well in pass protection. But run blocking, not so much.
Congratulations on getting high comments!