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SEC football 2019 season preview: Has Georgia closed the gap on Alabama?

By Matt Hicks

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 01: Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm (11) passes during the SEC Championship game of the Georgia Bulldogs v Alabama Crimson Tide at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 01: Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm (11) passes during the SEC Championship game of the Georgia Bulldogs v Alabama Crimson Tide at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – NOVEMBER 10: Head Coach Ed Orgeron of the LSU Tigers yells to his team during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Tigers defeated the Razorbacks 24-17. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – NOVEMBER 10: Head Coach Ed Orgeron of the LSU Tigers yells to his team during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Tigers defeated the Razorbacks 24-17. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

SEC Coach of the Year

Ed Orgeron, LSU

This is the most difficult accolade for me to predict. This award can be interpreted in so many ways. In 2018 Mark Stoops received the award; a clear ode to how clearly the Wildcats had outperformed expectations. In 2017 Kirby Smart received it after his Bulldogs won the east in just his second year with the team. The year before was Nick Saban, a clear recognition of the consistent dominance of the Crimson Tide.

Orgeron has elements of the qualities that led to the past three award winners receiving this honor. He has been criticized by many for his decisions and presence as a head coach but still, he has been successful. Since taking over for Les Miles in 2016 he is 25-9 as a head coach. He has consistently improved his team’s record, with nine wins in 2017 and 10 wins in 2018.

Orgeron has shown a willingness to embrace change and do whatever it takes to gives his Tigers an edge in the most competitive conference in sports. This offseason he brought in Joe Brady to be their passing game coordinator, and heavily influence the way they run their offense. Brady comes from the New Orleans Saints, where he has contributed to one of the most effective offenses in the NFL. Brady could be the piece the LSU offense needs to finally take the next step.

That next step, of course, is winning the SEC West. If LSU can do that behind Orgeron, the embattled head coach would have to receive this award. He would finally get the praise he deserves.

Other to Watch: Barry Odom (Missouri), Kirby Smart (Georgia), Nick Saban (Alabama), Jimbo Fisher (Texas A&M).

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