SEC Preview and Prediction
Following an SEC Championship rematch in the title game last year, the SEC looks to crown another champion. Obviously, Alabama and Georgia have the best odds to win the conference but dark horse contenders like Texas A&M, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky have outside shots to win their respective divisions. This is how I currently have the SEC divisions shaking out.
East
Georgia
Tennessee
Kentucky
Florida
South Carolina
Missouri
Vanderbilt
West
Alabama
Texas A&M
Arkansas
Mississippi State
LSU
Auburn
Ole Miss
Championship Game Prediction: Alabama over Georgia.
East
Despite Georgia’s staggeringly low returning defensive production (at just 21%,) there shouldn’t be much competition in the East. Tennessee looks to keep up their offensive momentum as quarterback Hendon Hooker eyes a potential Heisman trophy run. Hooker had an impressive 33-3 touchdown-interception ratio last year and tailback Jabari Small will have to carry the weight in the running back room after Len’Neth Whitehead suffered an injury during camp. Despite Tennessee's woes defensively, their offense should carry them to second in the East. Florida’s season rests on the shoulders of Anthony Richardson, the junior quarterback who showed Cam Newton-esque talent in his limited reps this past year. Florida may have the best offensive line in the SEC, with Preseason All-American OL O’Cyrus Torrence protecting Richardson. As Billy Napier emphasizes discipline and limited penalties, Florida’s defense should see improvement despite a relatively young secondary. Kentucky boasts a top 25 spot in the preseason AP poll largely due to the exorbitant hype surrounding quarterback Will Levis. Levis could fail to replicate his immense hype and Kentucky will struggle in certain road contests, such as at Tennessee.
Shane Beamer is heading into his second year at South Carolina with former Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler at the helm. South Carolina will be an improved team from last year, but their brutal schedule will limit what they can do in year two of the Beamer era. Missouri and Vanderbilt are still building and the two may hold the final two spots in the East. Following Connor Bazelak’s move to Indiana, Missouri will start sophomore Brady Cook as quarterback, whereas Vanderbilt will likely roll with juniors Ken Seals or Mike Wright, with the latter likely winning the position.
West
In the west, I have reigning champion Alabama taking the division again. Possibly the biggest obstacle stopping Bryce Young from repeating as Heisman winner is on his own team. Linebacker Will Anderson could very well be the first defensive player since Charles Woodson to take home the award. The Aggies will roll with either Auburn transfer Zach Calzada or returning QB Haynes King behind center. The biggest question for Texas A&M this year will be how quickly their historic 2022 recruiting class will impact this year. Freshman like Walter Nolan and Evan Stewart will likely dictate whether A&M settles for another 8 win season or finally makes the leap under Jimbo. Arkansas had one of its best seasons in program history last year, winning 9 games and going undefeated against the state of Texas. Their brutal out-of -conference schedule includes a visit from Cincinnati and a visit to Provo to take on BYU. On top of that, they will face Alabama, Texas A&M, LSU and the rest of the SEC west. KJ Jefferson may very well be the second best returning QB in the SEC, behind Bryce Young and tight end Jaden Hazelwood will be an immediate impact player. Expect 8 or 9 wins again from the Razorbacks.
If there’s one thing that’s for sure in college football, it’s that you never know what Mike Leach’s teams will look like. The eccentric coach has had his ups and downs during his Mississippi State tenure with his nontraditional “air-raid” offense and apparent lack of commitment to defensive excellence. Will Rogers returns following an impressive 2021 season and I expect Mississippi State to be a potential dark horse in the West this year. Brian Kelly will make his LSU debut in the Bayou against Florida State in New Orleans. LSU is a complete mystery this year as no one even knows who will take the first snap. Kelly will have the task of fixing the disoriented culture Ed Oregon left behind. I expect LSU to struggle early but evolve as the season continues. Auburn has a tendency to exceed expectations when least expected and if there’s ever a time for Auburn to figure it out, it’s now. With head coach Bryan Harsin hanging onto his job for dear life, Auburn’s one faceted offense is going to need to make a year two leap from the mediocrity it was last year. Though Ole Miss is coming off one of the best seasons in program history capped with a Sugar Bowl appearance, I expect a steep drop off this year. Whether Luke Altmeyer or Jaxon Dart gets the starting job, quarterback play should take a step back from Matt Coral’s excellence last year. I don’t recommend counting Lane Kiffin’s offensive genius out, but considering the gauntlet of the SEC West, I could see Ole Miss losing six or more games this year.
While the SEC may seem predictable this year, don’t be surprised to see some shocking upsets and dark horse contenders this year!
By Sawyer Sugarman