SEC football: Early conference power rankings for 2020
6. Texas A&M Aggies
Kellen Mond is back for his 11th season at the helm of the Texas A&M Aggies in 2020 — okay, maybe it just feels like that. But one year after Jimbo Fisher’s club went up against possibly the most daunting schedule in college football, the Aggies now have much more hope.
Texas A&M has just one game in their first nine that had a winning record a season ago. There are concerns about whether or not this team has the top-end caliber on both sides of the ball to compete with the elite of SEC football but they’ll get their chance to prove it as they face Alabama and LSU to end the campaign.
5. Auburn Tigers
Much pressure will be put on the shoulders of sophomore quarterback Bo Nix in the 2020 season as he helms the Auburn Tigers for the second straight year. Not only would improved consistency and overall performance last year have had Gus Malzahn’s team more in the national mix but the Tigers will need even more of that with their current roster.
Auburn must replace a multitude of defensive difference-makers from last year’s team, not limited to Derrick Brown and Marlon Davidson. The defense may take a step back from last season but, if Nix and Seth Williams can carry the offense, the Tigers can be highly dangerous.
4. LSU Tigers
How disrespectful to have the defending National Champions not even crack the top-three in the early SEC football power rankings. Of course, when it comes to the SEC when you have a few questions, that’s a huge detriment and such is the case with LSU. Ed Orgeron officially proved he has the goods but he’s also losing virtually every offensive starter not named Ja’Marr Chase and a ton of defensive playmakers, even if Derek Stingley Jr. is one of the five best players in college football.
Because of how this team has recruited, there is reason to be excited about what a new crop of players can do, particularly on defense. But the Tigers come in at No. 4 because of the questions on offense. That was the difference-maker for LSU en route to the title and we don’t know just how much of a step back that unit will take with Myles Brennan replacing Joe Burrow.