Is it even worth discussing the SEC title anymore?

I grew up in the 1990s, so I witnessed what Nebraska and Florida State did. They didn’t rebuild, they reloaded every single year. And there was basically no reason to debate which team would win the conference.

Alabama is running at that type of level. And it doesn’t hurt that the SEC has taken a few lumps in recent years, knocking it down from its clear perch as the best in the nation. It’s still really good; just not as good as it was.

That’s why the Crimson Tide are once again the overwhelming favorites to win the SEC again at -160. Jalen Hurts is back at quarterback, and despite losing plenty of players to the NFL, it doesn’t matter with Nick Saban. He’ll bring in players destined for the NFL right away, so the opposition will be overmatched in every game.

Alabama has a big game against Florida State in the opener, but pretty much nothing else stands in its way of rolling through the conference. The rich keep getting richer, with home games against Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee and LSU. Go ahead and slot the Crimson Tide in the title game.

The Georgia Bulldogs will look to get to double-digit wins this season. Flickr/http://bit.ly/1IDt2Nx/

Who else?

LSU is going to be good, but Ed Orgeron doesn’t exactly scream offensive mastermind. That’s what the Tigers need and this team pretty much resembles every other Tigers team in the last decade or so. It will have a great defense and will nine to 10 games. However, it comes up short when compared to the Crimson Tide.

Auburn is a fun play, but that would mean going through the SEC West unscathed, setting up a showdown in the final week at home against Alabama. The offense should be much improved. But how will the defense hold up?

If I’m looking outside of Alabama, I’m siding with Georgia. The Bulldogs play in the East, which in recent years has gotten better, but is still the easier path. Jacob Eason can become a better quarterback and that defense is pretty much the same defense that was among the best in college football last season.

There really are no land mines for Georgia, other than road games against Auburn and Tennessee. If the Bulldogs can navigate through the East, that sets up a likely matchup featuring teacher and student. I’d be willing to bet the student may have some tricks up his sleeve.

Dark Horse

Texas A&M has a nice schedule and I’m not near as down on their personnel as some have been. The Aggies will have to break in a new quarterback, but we’ve seen this team have no trouble in that department in the past.

Christian Kirk is one of the best receivers in the nation, and the offensive line features three solid veterans, who should give the new quarterback plenty of time to adjust to his role.

For the Aggies to be successful, though, the defense must be better. Texas A&M has recruited well, and I like the fact that Kevin Sumlin needs something more out of this unit to be successful. His seat is getting warmer, so there should be some more motivation out of this team. They’ve lost their pass rush, but their interior defensive lineman are back, hoping to be better against the run.

The schedule features home games against Arkansas, Alabama and Auburn. Squeak out wins in those games and the Aggies could squeeze into the title game.

SEC title odds

Alabama -160

Auburn +500

LSU +600

Georgia +700

Florida +1000

Tennessee +1400

Texas A&M +4000

Arkansas +5000

Ole Miss +6600

South Carolina +6600

Kentucky +8000

Mississippi State +8000

Missouri +8000

Vanderbilt +15000

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