"Top 10 issues surrounding the expanded SEC this summer"

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The last few years went well for the Southeastern Conference. Six straight BCS national championships creates quite a headwind.

And the SEC is more than happy to ride that into September as the hottest commodity not eligible for the Super Bowl. The fall of 2012 doesn’t show signs of a drop off for commissioner Mike Slive’s league.

Alabama and LSU are right back in the national championship discussion with a few more dark horses lurking in the shadows.

The news, however, isn’t all positive south of the Ohio. Scandal and tragedy within the membership created a few more storylines to consider before football returns Labor Day weekend.

Here’s a list of the top 10 issues surrounding the expanded SEC this summer.

10. Heat is on Derek Dooley

Derek Dooley enters his third year in Knoxville with the wind in his face. His new-guy discount is also running out and the locals will soon expect results on a Phil Fulmer, Johnny Majors level. Assistants are jumping ship and recruiting classes aren’t making a major splash. The Vols’ 1-7 record in SEC play was their worst in program history. The good news is, as previously mentioned, the East is ripe for the picking.

With quarterback Tyler Bray healthy again, maybe the Vols can rediscover that magic and fill Neyland Stadium on a consistent basis once again. But suffer another generational loss to the likes of Kentucky, and Dooley might be taking a long walk somewhere else.

9. Vanderbilt on the rise

Need proof the East is really screwy? Look to Nashville. James Franklin turned Vanderbilt into the fastest rising stock in the SEC.

Yes, Vanderbilt.

The loser’s mentality is fading as the second-year coach finds a way into the headlines on a regular basis. They might even be the best team in Tennessee this fall with nine starters returning on offense and seven on defense. The 2011 team made it to the program’s second bowl game in 29 years and nearly beat top-10 Arkansas.

Vanderbilt also continues to succeed on the recruiting trail as Franklin swipes a few big names from traditional SEC powers. The Commodores are improving, but the success is closely linked to their coach. Lose Franklin and the losing will return.

8. Running backs still in charge

South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore was a legit Heisman contender early in 2011 before tearing his ACL. Arkansas’ Knile Davis was another name with high hopes before a preseason injury ended his year before it started. Both are healthy again to carry the burden for SEC running backs. Alabama has a deep stable of former top recruits who don’t have much experience behind Eddie Lacy.

LSU returns a stacked depth chart of bruisers that should keep the Tigers in the title hunt again this fall. There isn’t quite the star power after that. Michael Dyer’s exit will give young talent at Auburn the opportunity to join the elite in a hurry........