Fansided

Five teams with the best chance to dethrone Alabama in the SEC

By Jonathan Perelman

Jan 23, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama head coach Nick Saban holds the Crystal trophy with quarterback Jake Coker (14) during a presentation to celebrate the victory in the CFP National Championship game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama head coach Nick Saban holds the Crystal trophy with quarterback Jake Coker (14) during a presentation to celebrate the victory in the CFP National Championship game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /
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GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 11: Head coach Nick Saban and Defensive coordinator Kirby Smart of the Alabama Crimson Tide look on from the field during the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Clemson Tigers at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 11: Head coach Nick Saban and Defensive coordinator Kirby Smart of the Alabama Crimson Tide look on from the field during the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Clemson Tigers at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

5. Kirby Smart could help the Dawgs overthrow Alabama. 

After Kirby Smart helped Nick Saban and the Tide dominate the SEC defensively, Smart decided this offseason to go back to his alma mater and coach against his former head coach. The only way Georgia would see Alabama this season is if they met them in Atlanta for the conference championship. This is not highly unlikely for the first year head coach.

Although Mark Richt resigned from Georgia this offseason, he left Smart in a decent situation. Smart walked into a solid defensive unit, quarterback Jacob Eason decided to remain a commit for this season and running back Nick Chubb will man the backfield as well. Smart, as seen at Alabama, is one of the best defensive minds in all of college football. He brought in Jim Chaney, former SEC offensive coordinator, to run his offense.

It seems that the struggle for this team will not be on the defensive side of the ball; Smart will be able to step in to that position just fine. The struggle for Georgia will be keeping Chubb healthy and getting this offense to move the ball successfully. If Jacob Eason comes in and earns the starting position, he will need to lead this team as a freshman, which is doable, but tough.

But Georgia’s schedule is favorable. Their main rivals in the East are Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee. Florida could struggle this year, after losing most of their talented secondary as well as lacking the offensive ability and threat down the field. South Carolina hired Will Muschamp, who proved to be a great defensive head coach, but couldn’t do anything offensively, which would work for Georgia. And they get Tennessee at home. If they can get two out of three wins out of these games, they could be in a good position to see and beat the Tide in the SEC Championship.

Next: 4. Auburn is always a threat

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