My largest takeaway from predicting a 16-team SEC? The groups on the high are going to have barely much less gaudy information.
In contrast to a 12 months in the past, when the SEC was common out of convention, I’ve the highest 11 groups dropping a mixed one nonconference recreation. And but, I solely have one crew, Georgia, ending higher than 10-2, and even the Dawgs are 11-1. They could win the nationwide championship, however I can’t see them going unscathed after they play highway video games towards Alabama, Texas and Ole Miss.
Maybe it’s simply how the schedules break this season, or maybe with the additions of Texas and Oklahoma, going 12-0 or 11-1 goes to be that rather more troublesome.
A number of ideas on the highest contenders
Georgia: Spoiler alert: The Dawgs are my (admittedly unoriginal) nationwide championship decide. On the two most essential positions on the sector, they’ve the potential first QB taken in subsequent 12 months’s NFL Draft, Carson Beck, and what needs to be a scary-good offensive line. As all the time, they’re loaded on protection.
Alabama: Kalen DeBoer’s first crew could also be higher than Nick Saban’s final one, however the Tide would possibly lose a few video games attributable to dealing with Georgia, and taking part in Tennessee, LSU and Oklahoma on the highway. Anticipate Jalen Milroe to flourish in DeBoer’s offense, particularly with the additions of receivers Germie Bernard (Washington) and five-star Ryan Williams.
Texas: Steve Sarkisian and Quinn Ewers proved this skeptic improper final 12 months. The Longhorns have so many proficient receivers with Isaiah Bond (Alabama), Matthew Golden (Houston) and Silas Bolden (Oregon State). Texas’ largest query is whether or not it could cease the run with out stud inside D-linemen Byron Murphy II and T’Vondre Sweat.
Ole Miss: The expertise stage Lane Kiffin has constructed is plain. The O-line and receiving corps are loaded, and the protection received higher with the additions of SEC starters like ends Walter Nolen (Texas A&M) and Princely Umanmielen (Florida) and linebacker Chris Paul Jr. (Arkansas). The caveat is that QB Jaxson Dart must be extra constant in massive video games.
Tennessee: The Vols are my darkish horse to get to Atlanta. Josh Heupel’s offense had a ceiling with Joe Milton on the helm. If Nico Iamaleava is pretty much as good as marketed, the Vols might look much more like they did in 2022 (11-2) than in 2023 (9-4). James Pearce Jr. leads a powerful defensive entrance, however a depleted secondary could possibly be their undoing.
GO DEEPER
Stewart Mandel’s ACC predictions: Florida State, Miami on high with 3 new groups in race
Coaches on the recent seat
Florida: Billy Napier could be properly served to win the opener towards Miami and construct up a powerful report over the primary seven video games, as a result of no hot-seat coach needs to be confronted with a remaining 5 of Georgia, at Texas, LSU, Ole Miss and at Florida State.
Arkansas: Sam Pittman must get his crew again to a bowl recreation. On paper, I don’t love his probabilities. He’s banking on Bobby Petrino to mildew quarterback Taylen Inexperienced (Boise State) right into a star, nevertheless it may not be attainable if the O-line doesn’t get rather a lot higher.
Vanderbilt: I really feel sorry for 8-27 coach Clark Lea. Vandy was already the toughest job within the SEC, and that was earlier than title, picture and likeness offers and the switch portal made it almost inconceivable. However it will be a heck of a narrative if New Mexico State imports OC Tim Beck and QB Diego Pavia save Lea’s job.
(Photographs of Quinn Ewers, Carson Beck: Aaron E. Martinez /American-Statesman, Jasen Vinlove / USA At present)
