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SEC football 2018 preview: Breakout stars, biggest games, predictions

By Jeremy Morris

Nick Saban, Alabama Crimson Tide, Kirby Smart, Georgia Bulldogs. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
Nick Saban, Alabama Crimson Tide, Kirby Smart, Georgia Bulldogs. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
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Alabama Crimson Tide running back Josh Jacobs (8) is tackled by Auburn Tigers defensive back Daniel Thomas (24) (Photo by Chip Dillard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Alabama Crimson Tide running back Josh Jacobs (8) is tackled by Auburn Tigers defensive back Daniel Thomas (24) (Photo by Chip Dillard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Games of the Year

The Iron Bowl – Auburn at Alabama (November 24)

Picking the Iron Bowl as the game of the year feels like a cop-out since its one of the greatest rivalries in college football and the winner has represented the SEC West in the conference title game in nine of the last ten seasons.

Alabama is again ranked No. 1 in the preseason. Auburn will also be highly ranked and returning most of the team that beat Alabama in 2017. It’s a painfully obvious choice, but it can’t be left off the list of top games. The 2018 Iron Bowl will very likely determine who represents the West in the SEC Championship and it is likely to again have major implications on the 2018 College Football Playoff selection.

Auburn upset Alabama at Jordan-Hare last season, stifling the Tide on offense and handing them their only loss in 2017. Alabama will be looking for revenge as they host Auburn in Tuscaloosa on November 24 this year. That alone bodes well for them as Auburn hasn’t won an Iron Bowl on the road since Cam Newton led the Tigers to a perfect season in 2010. Auburn also hasn’t had back to back wins in the Nick Saban era, which began in 2007.

Gus Malzahn signed a seven-year, $49 million contract extension last season two weeks after beating Alabama. He has history and a very good Alabama team against him this season but he will have a returning starter at quarterback and a returning defensive coordinator in 2018, making it the first season he comes into with both since 2014.