It’s hard to bet against Alabama. And if oddsmakers are right again, the Crimson Tide will hoist the SEC championship trophy at season’s end.
Alabama will enter the 2016 season as the prohibitive favorite at +175 to win the SEC for the fourth time in five years. The only other team to win the conference during that span, Auburn, is going off at +900.
The most likely challenger to Alabama’s dominance is LSU, which should feature a much-improved offense to go along with its always athletic defense. The Tigers are +350 to win the SEC and will host the Crimson Tide in what has become college football’s best annual game.
But as always, the conference does lend itself to some sleeper candidates. Auburn was an afterthought when it last won the SEC title and Missouri crashed the SEC title game during years where many pundits considered them a long-shot to win more than a few games in the conference.
Best Sleeper
Auburn +900
There are teams that I’m all in on this year in college football. Texas is one. Auburn is another.
Auburn was supposed to be revolutionize college football with its uptempo offense and dominate for years to come. That hasn’t happened since its improbable run through the SEC in 2013.
But this year could be a different story. Many are dismissing the Tigers, despite top talent still on offense with another year of experience at the quarterback position. And unlike other years, the defense should be one of the best parts of the team.
That’s what has me most excited about Auburn’s potential. Head coach Gus Malzahn will find a way with the offense, and with an improved defense, that will give Auburn a much better chance at winning games on a consistent basis.
We’ll know plenty about Auburn in the early going. The Tigers host Clemson, Texas A&M and LSU in three of the first four weeks. If they can get off to a hot start, watch out.
Most Overrated
Tennessee +650
When are we finally going to see this conference-title contender Tennessee Volunteers?
We’ve been hearing for years about the influx of talent in Tennessee, but have yet to see any results in a division that looks more like it belongs in the Big 10, than the SEC.
The Volunteers return 18 starters from last year’s nine-win team. That team was so good, it only won five conference games against competition like South Carolina, Missouri, Vanderbilt, Kentucky and Georgia.
At some point, I’m ready to see some results. Many are expecting that this year, especially with the return of Joshua Dobbs at quarterback, but I haven’t seen much in recent years in the passing game. Has he developed as a passer, or are we only going to see Tennessee use the ground game again?
The defense will be good, but what’s new in the SEC?
There is a clear path to the SEC East title for the Volunteers and that will happen from Sept. 24 to Oct. 15. The Volunteers will play at home against Florida and Alabama, and on the road against Georgia and Texas A&M in those four weeks.
Win those and win the SEC East. Go 2-2 or worse, and fail to live up to expectations again.
SEC Odds
Alabama +175
LSU +350
Tennessee +650
Georgia +900
Auburn +900
Mississippi +1000
Florida +1200
Texas A&M +1600
Arkansas +2000
Missouri +2800
Mississippi State +5000
Kentucky +5000
South Carolina +6600
Vanderbilt +10000
