Speaking on an Arkansas radio station Tuesday former coach and ESPN personality Lou Holtz was asked his thoughts on the SEC West heading into the season. Holtz had positive things to say about the Tide, but he stopped just short of picking them to win the division instead opting for a familiar foe.
"Alabama will once again be very good. They always have excellent talent."
Holtz especially likes the Tide's defense stating,
"They'll be very solid. You have to be impressed with Nick Saban. There is nothing they don't do in practice that doesn't make them better players."
"I do not believe Alabama wins the SEC West this year. Maybe the most talented team will be LSU, but what kind of quarterback will they have?"
It really shouldn't be a surprise that many will point to the winner of the Alabama/LSU game as the winner of the West. Those two teams will surely once again find themselves battling each other for the top of the division.
Holtz is also very high on Tennessee and Arkansas, believing both to have the potential for great seasons.
