SEC Preseason Power Rankings
With the football season right around the corner, I will be releasing my power rankings for all power five conferences and also the MAC, AAC, Mountain West, Sun Belt, and Conference USA. Without further delay, I will get into my SEC power rankings.
14. Vanderbilt Commodores
With new head coach Clark Lea the commodores are going to have another tough season. They are bringing back most of their receiving core but with the mess that they have at the QB position, it will be tough on the offense this year. The defense brings back almost the same secondary with almost a brand new line. I don’t see them getting an SEC win this season.
13. Tennessee Volunteers
Another team that features a first-year coach in which Josh Heupel is looking to bring an electric offense to the volunteers. Heupel who also brings his offensive coordinator from UCF looks to bring a fast pace offense to the volunteers. After an active transfer portal for the Volunteers, they bring in some new players after losing three quarterbacks and two tight ends to the transfer portal among others. This is a team that could end up putting it all together but with the new system and new players, I see Heupel struggling in year one.
12. South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina is another team under a brand new coach in which Shane Beamer is in a better spot than these other coaches. He brings back most of the same players from last season and has a solid offense. He needs to look to feed the ball to Kevin Harris. With over 1,000 yards last season and almost the whole O-line returning the gamecocks will need to go through him. South Carolina needs a little bit of time before they are competing in the SEC east.
11. Mississippi State Bulldogs
With Mike Leach entering his second year at Mississippi State, he looks to take his offense to the next level. With the quarterback battle that Leach has going on right now, Leach likes older quarterbacks and transfers at the QB position. That is why I see the transfer Jack Abraham as the starting quarterback. Even with all the flaws that the bulldogs had last season one thing that will remain the same is their outstanding defense. I see Mississippi State having a better season this year than last. If they were not in the SEC east then they would be towards the top of a conference.
10. Auburn Tigers
With new head coach Bryan Harsin taking over the head coach position at Auburn they will look to get back to a powerhouse team. The defense is the main concern for the tigers because of the guys that they lost. If the defense can find ways to keep them in the game then they will be in a good spot. The offense will be loaded at the running backs position with the wide receivers being able to hold their own. Bo Nix is coming off a let down season which could fuel a fire inside of him to go off this season. With a new system in place I think the tigers are a good team with a brutal schedule.
9. Missouri Tigers
Entering the second season under head coach Eliah Dinkwitz the tigers look for a more consistent year. The anchor of this team will be the defense even after losing multiple players to the draft the tigers are still going to trust in their defense. The offense has the capability of being electric but they will need to find guys to step up on the O-line and at receiver. If the offense can get where they are a major threat than the tigers will be able to make some noise in the west.
8. Arkansas Razorbacks
Sam Pittman brought hope back to the state of Arkansas and he is looking to be a contender in the SEC east this season. The defense will be one of the best in the conference after returning both Grant Morgan and Bumper Pool. The offense also brings back almost everybody besides starting quarterback Felipe Franks. The big question mark will be if starting quarterback K.J. Jefferson can limit turnovers. The razorbacks are another team that could be a really good football team with a decent record because of how good their schedule is.
7. Kentucky Wildcats
The Wildcats are a team that brings backs experience and are looking to have an electric offense. The team has no major flaws in it and with its receiving corps and secondary on defense, they will be a team to watch out for. The only thing that might hold them back is the question mark at quarterback. They do have some recruits that are coming in that could take it but it has always been a problem for them. I see them finishing towards the top of the whole SEC.
6. LSU Tigers
LSU has the talent to be a force in the SEC and a dark horse for the college football playoffs. That was until projected starting quarterback Myles Brennan had season-ending surgery. Now Max Johnson will have to fill the big shoes of Myles. The team has elite players with an elite defense and they could make some noise among Alabama and Texas A&M. I think the tigers have a chance to make the college football playoffs but it is a long shot. They will more than likely be one of the best teams in the nation in a stacked conference.
5. Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss is a team that can be either really good or a decent team. The defense is what will lose them games and they will need to figure out how to be consistent. The offense is one of the best in the nation led by Matt Coral. The offense returns almost everybody from last season and will be a tough team to beat. The bad thing is that they will have to win most of their games in a shootout. I see them either being a top team in the nation or a team that is middle of the pack in the SEC.
4. Florida Gators
After coming off a monster season the Gators will have big shoes to fill in almost every spot. The team is still capable of winning the east but after losing some of the top players in the nation it will be a lot to ask from some of the younger guys. I still see them in a New Year’s six bowl game but it’s hard to see them in a playoff game.
3. Texas A&M Aggies
The biggest question mark for the Aggies will be the quarterback position. Either Haynes King or Zach Calzada will have big shoes to fill after all Kellen Mond did for the program. If they can find the right guy in that spot then they are serious contenders for the championship. The defense looks solid and should perform in the big games after all the experience they have. If Texas A&M can put it all together then they are a serious contender.
2. Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia has everything set up for a national championship after a great season of recruiting. JT Daniels looks like the real deal and the O-line and receiving core is one of the best in the SEC. The defense is one of the best in the nation and will be the backbone of the team. There is almost no reason for the bulldogs to not win the SEC east and maybe the SEC.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
The only team in the nation that might have a better defense than Georgia is Alabama. Alabama brings in a loaded defense and also a secondary that is the best in the nation. The defense will be able to buy time for the offense to figure things out after they lost almost everybody. In conclusion, the Alabama team should also be one of the best in the nation and has the best chances to win it all.
