The countdown to college football continues! Today, I’m venturing into my very first preseason SEC Power Rankings. Normally, these bad boys drop after the first week, but I’m so pumped for football, I’m giving you a gift a week early. It’s just the kind of guy I am.
It’s been anything but a calm off season. Seriously, Ole Miss alone is enough to cover an entire article (which I actually did here and here). The SEC coaching hot seat could also fill its own article (Hey, wouldn’t you know it? I did that too. I’m on a roll here).
Anyway, with just a few day left until game time, let’s see how the conference is shaping up. On to the rankings!
1. Alabama – Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide are coming back this season with the sting of defeat from last season’s National Championship loss. Not one to waste a good loss, Saban should have the Tide firing on all cylinders. The usual questions linger about replacing talent, but Alabama doesn’t recruit; they reload. They face off against FSU on opening night, which should quickly show where the Tide stands this season.
2. Auburn – A playoff dark horse this season (there’s an article about this coming), the Tigers are poised to challenge for the West. With the addition of Jarrett Stidham, the Auburn offense could be dangerous. If the defense can hold its own, expect big things folks. Auburn hosts Georgia Southern before traveling to Clemson in week two.
3. LSU – The era of Orgeron begins down in Louisiana. With Derrius Guice running the football, it’ll be like Fournette never left. There will be plenty of pressure on new OC Matt Canada to produce a well-balanced attack (the LSU faithful are not patient with their offense.) We’ll see how the Orgeron experiment starts against BYU Saturday night.
4. Georgia – The favorite to take the East, the Bulldogs are in good shape to make it to Atlanta. Jacob Eason might only be a sophomore, but shows a lot of promise under center. Fortunately, he’ll be able to lean on Nick Chubb and Sony Michel as one of the most dangerous RB duos in the country. Georgia needs to not….”Georgia it” against Appalachian State this Saturday.
5. Florida – I haven’t bought in to Florida as much as many people have. I’m a big believer in “if you have three QB’s, you don’t have a QB.” In all honesty, we might see all three take the field against Michigan this Saturday. Coach McElwain has recruited well, and those young players will be needed on the defensive side of the ball. The Gators also boast one of the most impressive receivers in Antonio Callaway…..who won’t see the field against Michigan because he’s an idiot.
6. Texas A&M – I still feel like this is a little high for the Aggies, but the talent is there for A&M to have a solid season. Personally, I believe Kevin Sumlin is on the hot seat, and this is a make or break season for him. Unfortunately, he’s in the middle of the road in the SEC West. He’ll need to upset Alabama, LSU, or Auburn to gain any traction. They should start out with a win against UCLA on Sunday.
7. Mississippi State – Mississippi State is the biggest question mark for me this season. Dan Mullen is a proven QB guru, and this year is no different with Nick Fitzgerald. After last year’s impressive showing, expect Fitzgerald to put the team on his shoulders this season. If the defense doesn’t improve, it’ll be a long season in Starkville. The Bulldogs host Charleston Southern for an easy opening weekend win.
8. Tennessee – Butch Jones and the Volunteers should be one of the most interesting story lines of the year. Jones should be experiencing some heat on his chair as Tennessee has underperformed that last few seasons. The Vols certainly have the talent, with a healthy Shy Tuttle leading the defense, but could have some growing pains at QB with the loss of Joshua Dobbs. We could see the end of Butch Jones, or the Vols in Atlanta. Honestly, it’s a bit of a toss-up. We’ll have a better idea after they square off with the triple option of Ga. Tech on Labor Day night.
9. Arkansas – Austin Allen might be one of the best QB’s in the SEC, but I’m still struggling to buy into the Razorbacks this year. Bret Bielema is another coach that sits on the hot seat. If the defense doesn’t show a little more toughness this year, expect for fans to start calling for a change at the head coaching spot. Arkansas opens up the season for the SEC on Thursday night against Florida A&M.
10. South Carolina – If the East was any more stable, South Carolina would be an afterthought. Will Muschamp and his young team should find themselves right in the thick of the SEC East race this season. A lot will ride on QB Jake Bentley (still, solid name) and how much he’s matured in the offseason. The Gamecocks open the season against a sneaky good NC State team.
11. Kentucky – Kentucky has somehow managed to have one of the most talented RB’s in the SEC in Benny Snell. With several returning starters, the Wildcats should have a solid offense to contend for the East this year. The problem is the same problem Kentucky has always had: defense. They’ll need a revenge win against Southern Miss to start out with some momentum.
12. Vanderbilt – I’ll be honest here. If I won the lottery, I’d pay for Derek Mason to be my personal life coach. Mason stole the show at SEC Media Days, and will attempt to carry over the momentum from last season. The returning Ralph Webb should be carrying the load for the offense. Somehow, Mason always produces a defense that can hold its own in the SEC. The Commodores start with an in-state fight against MTSU.
13. Missouri – The Tigers were one of the most up and down teams from last year. Solid QB play from Drew Lock and standout WR J’Mon Moore should help Barry Odom get the Tigers on the board. Unfortunately, the defense was atrocious last year and will need to show up to keep Mizzou from being last in the East. The Tigers host Missouri State to open the season.
14. Ole Miss – An interim coach, a bowl ban, and the fall of Hugh Freeze. Dumpster fire.
Poppa Bear is the lead SEC contributor for the SoBros Network, and serves as our resident expert on the human anatomy, fixin’ stuff, and tomatoes. Follow on Twitter:@SoBroPoppaBear
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