The premier conference in college football continues to dominate the college landscape. This year should be no different with Alabama being one of the best teams in college football and A&M and Georgia right below them. Now I do think the SEC is still the top conference, but I could see a slight drop this year. After Alabama the next group of teams aren't as good as they once were. They should be fine, but don't be surprised if they beat up on each other more than previous years.
Here is a look at my predictions on how the SEC will unfold. Records are projected.
West
1. Alabama Crimson Tide (12-0 8-0)
After winning the National Title the past two years, the Tide should find their way back in contention again. QB AJ McCarron is back and should become the focal point for the offense that could air it out even more. Defensively they lost some big pieces, but they always tend to reload and will be lead by two stud linebackers in Adrian Hubbard and CJ Mosley. If there is one weakness on this team it could be along the offensive line where they have to replace three starters.
2. Texas A&M Aggies (11-1 7-1)
They surprised a lot of people last year with how they played in their first year in the SEC, but won't sneak up on anybody this year. Heisman winner Johnny Manziel is looking to replicate the success he had last year and will do so with a lot of familiar faces on offense. I do worry about their defense and if it can improve to propel them to the next level.
3. Louisiana State Tigers (8-4 4-4)
LSU was hit big on defense losing a lot of their key pieces from the past two years. They always have talent waiting in the wings, but that could spell a transition year. I could be proven wrong if QB Zach Mettenberger takes a huge step forward from last year where he was pedestrian at best.
4. Mississippi Rebels (7-5 4-4)
The darlings of the signing day, the Rebals look to have a bright future under head coach Hugh Freeze. But it's going to take a lot of good coaching to get their talented freshman class to make a huge impact. QB Bo Wallace returns and should lead an exciting offense, but the Rebals success is in the future. Not this year.
5. Arkansas Razorbacks (6-6 2-6)
Bret Bielema is a very good coach and had a ton of success at Wisconsin. However to get the type of team he wants at Arkansas he'll have to totally remake this team. They still have some talent left over from Bobby Petrino's reign. But with the coaching and scheme changes it should cause some growing pains.
6. Mississippi State Bulldogs (5-7 2-6)
Last year they started 7-0 but it was a mirage due to a weak early schedule. This season their schedule does them no favors. All their tough games are at home and the winnable ones are on the road. That should translate to a down season. Which is too bad because Dan Mullen is a good coach.
7. Auburn Tigers (6-6 2-6)
The hiring of Gus Malzahn was a phenomenal one. Malzahn is one of the best football minds in the game and he has experience with the Tigers. He should have Auburn back to their previous levels, but it's going to take some time. Having some winnable conference games at home in the beginning could help with confidence, but it will be another long season for the Tigers.
East
1. Georgia Bulldogs (10-2 6-2)
Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida are all really close. Georgia losses a lot of talent on defense that is going to be hard to overcome. However while they get things figured out on defense they can count on a offense lead by Aaron Murray and RB Todd Gurley. Add in a favorable schedule with all their tough games at home and we should see them back in the SEC Title Game.
2. South Carolina Gamecocks (10-2 6-2)
Much like the Bulldogs, South Carolina is also dealing with losing a lot of starters on defense. But they do return super stud Jadeveon Clowney who should be able to pick up a lot of the slack. The difference is that South Carolina doesn't have the offensive firepower of Georgia and have to play them in Athens. That's why their in second.
3. Florida Gators (9-3 6-2)
Not to be a broken record, but Florida has to overcome a lot of key losses to their defense. But unlike South Carolina or Georgia, the Gators don't have the firepower on offense to overcome their experience against the top competition. If the Gators do want to make it to the SEC Title Game, they'll need QB Jeff Driskell to go from a game manager to a play maker. Otherwise the Gators won't make it to back to back BCS Games.
4. Vanderbilt Commadors (8-4 4-4)
It's turely amazing the job that James Franklin has done with Vanderbilt. The Commadors lose QB Jordan Rogers, but still return enough to make another bowl game. Vanderbilt also benefits from playing the bottom of their division and Ole Miss at home, but don't be surprised to see them pull an upset against one of the top tier teams.
5. Kentucky Wildcats (4-8 1-7)
This may be a little high for the Wildcats, but I've loved what they've done. New Head Coach Mike Stoops has hired a good staff, especially offensive coordinator Neal Brown. Add in a a quality first recruiting class and we could see a good jump for Kentucky.
6. Missouri Tigers (4-8 1-7)
After a disappointing first season in the SEC look for the Tigers to have another down year. The Tigers bring back some experience and have a talented roster, however head coach Gary Pinkel is out of his element coaching in the SEC and it shows. Missouri will be looking for a new coach this off season.
7. Tennessee Volunteers (4-8 1-7)
They have a few elite players in Antonio Richardson, Daniel McCullers, and AJ Johnson but lost a lot of their weapons off a team that underachieved. Tennessee's new coach is Butch Jones whose had success at Central Michigan and Cincinnati. However at each stop he's had the luxury of following Brian Kelly. He's not doing that here and in my opinion will struggle. Look for another down year in Knoxville.
All Conference Team
QB: AJ McCarron, Alabama
RB: Matt Jones, Florida
RB: Todd Gurley, Georgia
WR: Mike Evans, Texas A&M
WR: Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt
TE: Arthur Lynch, Georgia
OT: Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama
OG: Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State
C: Travis Swanson, Arkansas
OG: Zach Fulton, Tennessee
OT: Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
DL: Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
DL: Anthony Johnson, LSU
DL: Kelcy Quarles, South Carolina
DL: Dominique Easly, Florida
LB: Adrian Hubbard, Alabama
LB: CJ Mosley, Alabama
LB: AJ Johnson, Tennessee
CB: Louchiez Purifoy, Florida
S: Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix, Alabama
S: Craig Loston, LSU
CB: Damian Swann, Georgia
Offensive Player of the Year: AJ McCarron QB Alabama
Defensive Player of the Year: Jadeveon Clowney DE South Carolina
Newcomer of the Year: Robert Nkemdiche DE Mississippi
Coach of the Year: Steve Spurrier, South Carolina
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