Which SEC East Bottom-dweller Is Most Likely to Rise up in 2020?

Between Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Missouri, and Kentucky, can anyone rise up and challenge Georgia for the SEC East?

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The SEC East has been all about the Georgia Bulldogs for the last three seasons. And, outside of a Florida Gators program on the rise, it hasn’t really even been much of a challenge.

That 2018 Kentucky Wildcats team came close when they won 10 games, but dropped back out of the top three in 2019. As it stands, they look like the most likely to make a push for the top three. Terry Wilson returns to action. The offensive line is back and intact, and that defense figures to be as good as it has been in recent years under Mark Stoops. But, beyond the Wildcats, it’s hard to make a case for any other team further down in the standings could rise up.

For the Missouri Tigers, it’s going to be a season in transition as Eli Drinkwitz is in at head coach after some impressive years at App State. But, there’s plenty to overhaul there, and I have a hard time believing he can turn Mizzou back into a contender in year one.

Below them, the South Carolina Gamecocks and Vanderbilt Commodores appear to be a mess. Vandy had a lot of NFL talent on offense and still scored the fewest points in the SEC. South Carolina also struggled on offense, and in a division with some really good defenses, it’s hard to imagine much improvement. Will Muschamp and Derek Mason both could be in the unemployment line this time next year.

On the latest episode of the College Football Roundup, John Mosley and I began our annual look at the Southeastern Conference. Up first, we’re looking at Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Missouri, and Kentucky on The State of the SEC, Pt. 1!

Subscribe to The College Football Roundup on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you take in your podcasts! Or, listen to the most recent episode, on which Mose and I take a look at the back half of the SEC East from a season ago, here:

Listen to “Ep. 14: The 2020 State of the SEC East, Pt. 1” on Spreaker.

For the college football archives, click here. For the SoBros Network podcast archives, click here!

Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley

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