Predicted Order of Finish
The SEC East is up for grabs, and once again Georgia and Florida are the top two favorites in the preseason. The Bulldogs are arguably the most talented team in the division, and Georgia should play better in Kirby Smart’s second season as head coach. Nick Chubb can put up Heisman numbers, and the defense has the talent to rank among the best in the nation.
The Gators have won the division in back-to-back seasons. Though head coach Jim McElwain must replace a handful of talented playmakers on defense, the roster is its strongest since he took over three years ago. The question, as always, is at quarterback. Will Notre Dame transfer Malik Zaire win the job? Or will it be redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks or incumbent Luke Del Rio? Also, can top playmaker Antonio Callaway stay out of trouble? He’s suspended for the season opener against Michigan in Dallas.
SEC East
Florida
Georgia
Tennessee
South Carolina
Kentucky
Vanderbilt
Missouri
Expectations aren’t sky-high at Tennessee because of the offensive firepower the squad lost, though the Vols are capable of putting together a title challenge. South Carolina overachieved last season and Jake Bentley is one of the top QBs in the league. Kentucky and Vanderbilt finally got to bowl games under Mark Stoops and Derek Mason, respectively, and both are capable of bowling again. Missouri showed promise offensively, but will need to improve mightily on defense to make it back to the postseason.
In the West, Alabama is the prohibitive favorite once again, though LSU and Auburn aren’t far behind. LSU has a Heisman candidate in Derrius Guice, and the Tigers field one of the most talented defenses in the country. If Jarrett Stidham can elevate the offense for Gus Malzahn, Auburn is a legitimate title contender.
SEC West
Alabama
LSU
Auburn
Texas A&M
Mississippi State
Arkansas
Ole Miss
Kevin Sumlin is on the hottest seat in the country, but has built a talented roster able to overcome its inexperience and get back to a bowl game. Mississippi State is a sleeper pick to win 10 games in large part due to quarterback Nick Fitzgerald and head coach Dan Mullen’s history utilizing dual threat QBs.
Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen is a tough player and strong passer capable of leading the Razorbacks back to a bowl game. There will be no bowl for Ole Miss this season, and the Rebels must play for pride in 2017, but quarterback Shea Patterson is a must-watch dual threat.