Surprise kids! Poppa Bear is back a week early!
I know you probably weren’t expecting me until next week, but I’m just too fired up for the glorious return of college football. Tonight, the SEC gets back to action with Texas A&M hosting powerhouse Northwestern State (I had no idea which state they occupy the northwest of. Turns out, it’s Louisiana. The more you know).
It’s been a newsworthy offseason for the SEC: several new coaches, a little QB controversy, and a possible NCAA investigation. It could be worse *looking at you Ohio State and Urban Meyer*. Let’s see how the preseason shenanigans have affected the first 2018 Power Rankings. Let’s go!
SEC Preseason Power Rankings 2018
1. Alabama – The reigning National Champions are still king of the mountain. With two days to go until the opening game, Nick Saban still hasn’t named a starting quarterback. With a choice between Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts, the Tide isn’t exactly in a bad spot. The real concern is with the injury-laden LB spot, and a seeming lack of depth there. We’ll see how the defense will adjust in Orlando on Saturday night against Louisville.
2. Georgia – The runner up seven months ago, Kirby Smart is ready to right the ship and move forward. The Bulldogs have a stellar QB in Jake Fromm, regardless of what freshman phenom has walked into Athens. With Nick Chubb and Sony Michel gone, look for D’Andre Swift to light up opposing defenses. The major question mark will be replacing Roquan Smith. The Bulldogs host Austin Peay for a tune up game.
3. Auburn – The team that beat both Georgia and Alabama last year, the Tigers are thrilled to have Jarrett Stidham returning under center. The loss of Kerryon Johnson could go unnoticed if Kam Martin is as advertised. Like many teams, the secondary is what to watch this weekend. They’ll be tested against a strong Washington team.
4. South Carolina – Maybe this is too high for the Gamecocks, but I’m buying into the hype. They return Jake Bentley, who will be a three year starter. If he’s developed as Will Muschamp has hoped, Bentley could be a top QB. Don’t forget that Deebo Samuel could be the most explosive player in the SEC. The defense, however, is another case of replacing the secondary. They host Coastal Carolina.
5. Mississippi State – New head coach Joe Moorhead probably inherited the best scenario of any new head coach. Nick Fitzgerald should be healthy and back to form (you know, after he comes off his one game suspension.) Montez Sweat could be one of the best defensive ends in the country, and anchors a solid front seven. They host Stone Cold Stephen F. Austin.
6. LSU – This could be the deciding year for Coach Ed Orgeron down in the Bayou. It doesn’t help that he has to replace over half of the starters from last season. I honestly have no idea if transfer QB Joe Burrow will be a game changer or game manager. Does anyone know what LSU is going to do this season? Please let me know. They open against Miami on Sunday night in Arlington.
7. Florida – The Gators land at the midway point here mostly because of Dan Mullen. He didn’t land in an ideal situation on the talent front. Even with the quarterback guru moniker, I’m not sure Mullen has a QB that can get the job done. The front seven on defense should be the anchor of the team, with Jordan Scarlett putting in the leg work for the offense. They host Charleston Southern this weekend.
8. Missouri – Yes, I’m starting the Missouri love early this season. And, much like last season, I don’t care. Drew Lock might throw the ball for 10,000 yards this season; that’s the kind of power you get when adding Derek Dooley as offensive coordinator. The defense might give up 50 points per game, but the offense might score 60. It’s a brilliant strategy. The Tigers open against UT Martin.
9. Texas A&M – New HC Jimbo Fisher has brought a lot of expectations to College Station. The Aggies will be good again, just maybe not this soon. QB Nick Starkel has plenty of upside, but isn’t a proven threat. Combine that with a lack of star power on defense, and we’ll consider this a rebuilding year. The Aggies play tonight against some team from Northwest Louisiana.
10. Kentucky – I might as well have written Benny Snell Jr. there. He’s going to be running down the field with the entire team on his back, what with the Wildcats not having a QB. While the offense will be a little one dimensional, Kentucky returns eight starters on defense. They might actually steal a few games. They host Central Michigan.
11. Ole Miss – Imagine Missouri, but with a slightly less Drew Lock-ish QB and no chance at postseason play. Now imagine a terrifying shark/human hybrid that has come for your soul. Welcome to Ole Miss. QB Jordan Ta’amu and WR A.J. Brown might be the best tandem in the SEC, and should score points. The defense, however, might allow a touchdown on every series. They open with Texas Tech.
12. Tennessee – New HC Jeremy Pruitt has the Vols moving in the right direction, but cleaning up a Butch Jones sized mess will take several years. Keller Chryst is a solid addition to the team, but they’ll need much more help than that on both sides of the ball. An unfriendly schedule doesn’t help matters. They open with West Virginia.
13. Vanderbilt – Derek Mason might be the most inspiring public speaker in the SEC, but he’ll need more than words to succeed this season. Having Kyle Shurmer at QB should help quite a bit, but the defense only returns four starters. The defensive minded Mason will need to figure out how to get his young defense firing on all cylinders against MTSU this weekend.
14. Arkansas – Chad Morris is a solid choice for new HC, but he walked into a major dumpster fire. This rebuild will take years, especially when changing offensive styles completely. Fortunately they can tune up against East Illinois.
That’s it folks. Enjoy your football. It’s good to be back!
Poppa Bear is the Lead SEC Analyst 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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