SEC Preview

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Welcome back!

Over the last 2 weeks, I have previewed each of the conference races, one per day, and given my prediction on how they will finish.  This is based on a formula that I have devised, and has nothing to do with the power rankings I presented over the last three weeks.  While the power rankings are for how strong each team is, we all know that the schedule each team plays has a huge impact on their overall record.  After the season, I will compare my predictions with the actual results to see how I did.  Let's get to it!

Predicted order of finish:

West Division
1. Alabama
2. Auburn
3. Mississippi State
4. LSU
5. Texas A&M
6. Ole Miss
7. Arkansas

East Division
1. Georgia
2. Florida
3. South Carolina
4. Missouri
5. Kentucky
6. Tennessee
7. Vanderbilt

Championship Game: 
Alabama vs Georgia

Conference Champion:
Georgia

Key Conference Games: 
UGA @S Carolina, Sep 8
LSU @Auburn, Sep 15
UGA @Missouri, Sep 22
Fla @Miss St, Sept 29
Auburn @Miss St, Oct 6
LSU @Florida, Oct 6
Missouri @S Carolina, Oct 6
Missouri @Alabama, Oct 13
UGA @LSU, Oct 13
Miss St @LSU, Oct 20
UGA vs Florida (Jacksonville), Oct 27
Alabama @LSU, Nov 3
Missouri @Florida, Nov 3
Miss St @Alabama, Nov 10
S Carolina @Florida, Nov 10
Auburn @UGA, Nov 10
Miss St @Ole Miss, Nov 22
Auburn @Alabama, Nov 24

Key Non-Conference Games:
Ole Miss vs Texas Tech (Houston), Sep 1
Auburn vs Washington (Atlanta), Sep 1
Alabama vs Louisville (Orlando), Sep 1
Tenn vs W Va (Charlotte), Sep 1
Texas A&M @Clemson, Sep 8
Miss St @Kansas St, Sep 8
Vandy @Notre Dame, Sep 15
Missouri @Purdue, Sep 15
Kentucky @Louisville, Nov 24
Fla @FSU, Nov 24
S Carolina @Clemson, Nov 24
Ga Tech @UGA, Nov 24

Chances to make the Playoffs:
The SEC has had a presence in every playoff since it was established 4 years ago.  Last year, both Georgia and Alabama were represented.  This year, I believe either Georgia or Alabama (whoever wins the SECCG) will be the lone representative, barring some kind of collapse in other conferences.  A one-loss Alabama has a better chance of making it than a one-loss Georgia.  In fact, a two-loss Alabama might make it in over any one-loss team in the country.

Don't be surprised if...
Missouri is Georgia's biggest challenger for the East Division crown.  I know South Carolina and Florida is everyone's trendy pick, but Missouri has a veteran QB and an improving defense, not to mention a ton of momentum from 6 straight wins to finish the regular season.

I'm not convinced...
Florida will be as good as everyone seems to think.  They still don't have a QB, and the program was a mess.  It will take new coach Dan Mullen a year or 2 to get things turned around.  Heck, it took Kirby Smart 2 years, and the cupboard was hardly bare at Georgia.  Also, I'm not convinced Tua Tagovailoa will be anywhere near as good as he showed in one half last year.  There is an awful lot of pressure being put on him based on what he did in the second half of the National Championship game, and it seems a little unfair to expect him to suddenly be the starter based on that half.  He may eventually take over, but I believe Jalen Hurts starts the first game.

That wraps up my conference previews!  Feel free to leave a comment and tell me who I have overvalued or undervalued.  Monday, I will begin my regular season rotation.  Come back then to see what that is.  Until next time, may you and your loved ones be blessed!




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