SEC football: Early conference power rankings for 2020

3. Florida Gators

Once Kyle Trask took over as the starting quarterback for Florida, the future of the Gators started to feel much more secure. Dan Mullen has proven his merits since arriving in Gainesville with two straight double-digit win seasons. And now that he finally has stability under center, the team should be able to set their sights on reclaiming SEC football for their own.

Where I have questions about the Gators, however, is with what this team lost. The wide receiver room is filled with players needing to prove themselves and the same can be said of a defense that lost arguably its three top contributors from last year to the NFL. Florida should still be highly talented and touch 10+ wins again. But concerns about the ancillary pieces given them a defined ceiling for now.

2. Georgia Bulldogs

It’s admittedly uncomfortable to have Kirby Smart‘s Georgia Bulldogs this high. This is a team that must replace a ton of their offense, including their starting quarterback, running back and offensive tackles (both of them). But with Jamie Newman transferring in from Wake Forest and new offensive coordinator Todd Monken taking over with a still-strong cast of weapons that range from Zamir White to George Pickens, there is optimism for this offense.

However, the reason Georgia comes in this high is actually the other side of the ball. Even if Newman isn’t a Heisman-caliber quarterback or the offense isn’t a world-beating unit, the defense is going to be great. They are experienced and highly talented at every level. And that will carry them to a ton of success and, by my estimation, another SEC East crown as things stand.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

Replacing Tua Tagovailoa, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III would be inconceivable for most college football teams. Of course, Alabama has been anything but normal under Nick Saban and that holds true as we head into the 2020 season. While the question of whether Mac Jones or Bryce Young will start at quarterback remains up in the air, for now, the rest of the roster is simply stacked.

From an elite offensive line in place to weapons like Najee Harris, Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith returning to getting Dylan Moses back to captain a defense that should take a step forward after a down 2019 campaign, Alabama is in the driver’s seat. Anything other than the College Football Playoff would be a disappointment for the Tide.

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