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Predicting the conference championship games and winners of every Power 5 league

By Rob Wolkenbrod

Dec 18, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Kedon Slovis (9)) gets off a throw as he is pressured by Oregon Ducks defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) in the first quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Kedon Slovis (9)) gets off a throw as he is pressured by Oregon Ducks defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) in the first quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alabama wide receiver John Metchie III (8) catches a touchdown pass behind Georgia defensive back Lewis Cine (16) during Alabama’s 41-24 win over Georgia in Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.] SEC: Alabama vs. Georgia
Alabama wide receiver John Metchie III (8) catches a touchdown pass behind Georgia defensive back Lewis Cine (16) during Alabama’s 41-24 win over Georgia in Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.] SEC: Alabama vs. Georgia /

Winner: Alabama

Where have you seen this matchup before? These teams have matched up twice in the SEC Championship Game the past decade, with an epic National Championship duel thrown in. 11 of the last 13 title games have also featured either Alabama or Georgia. 2021 will make it 12 of the last 14 to feature either team.

Alabama is the dynamic force of not just the conference but college football. Their ability to recruit and reload after losing countless players to the NFL is a product of how sustainable Nick Saban has made this program, so they compete at the top annually. So Mac Jones, Jaylen Waddle and Devonta Smith, the most recent Heisman Trophy winner, could all leave and the team will be just fine.

Attribute this to the hype around Bryce Young at Quarterback and John Metchie being the next incredible wide receiver to dart through Tuscaloosa. An abundance of talent in the trenches is the building block towards success, loaded with future long-term offensive linemen in the NFL and pass rushers to load up someone’s defensive line.

LSU isn’t good enough to usurp Alabama. Joe Burrow 2.0 is not there. Auburn is reeling from a coaching change, too. Texas A&M is a very good team and likely to finish in the top 10 by December, but Jimbo Fisher has his hands tied, even if the Aggies finish with just one loss in the SEC West. They have to beat Alabama to even spark a conversation about the College Football Playoff and remain perfect to dodge the committee’s comfort with the sport’s cream of the crop.

The SEC East is a two-team race between the aforementioned Bulldogs and Florida. Both teams have questions, including JT Daniels needing to display a full year of health with a banged-up receiver corp. If he holds up, coupled with great defense on the other side of the ball, this is their division.

Just don’t count out the Gators’ Emory Jones, who’s leading them as a dual-threat force and possible Heisman dark horse. The defense is not too good unlike previous iterations in the Swamp, however, holding them back enough to miss the conference title game by an inch.

Alabama is superior to both teams, however, and will walk away with another conference championship to their name, enter the National Championship quartet and look to repeat.

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