Unequivocally Correct SEC Preview
By: The Hammer
Photo: Dale Zanine, USA TODAY Sports
As we approach the strangest SEC and College Football season of all time due to COVID-19, it’s about time for everyone’s favorite exercise: pre-season previews and predictions. That’s right, it’s time for the Biscuits & SEC’s unfiltered, league wide preview. I would like to shout out the SEC, ACC, and BIG 12 for their courage in powering through these uncertain times to bring us what we love so dearly. Another shout out to all the student athletes willing to play this season when most of the pageantry, traditions and fun crowds that make college football so special won’t be there. Another hearty shout out to the Pac 12 and Big 10, who folded faster than your drunk uncle in a lawn chair at the post game tailgate. This blog won’t entertain scenarios where the season doesn’t work out, because I need football this fall, just like all of you. Time for the picks.
SEC EAST
SEC East Champion: Georgia
Part of me really wanted to go with Florida, but until someone can unseat the Dawgs under Kirby Smart, I’ll continue to pick’em. The Georgia defense should be great, as is the norm in Athens lately. Don’t expect many SEC East foes to fare well against the ferocious Dawgs defense this season. On the offensive side, they lost QB Jake Fromm, who is now a Buffalo Bill, and top rushers, De’Andre Swift and Brian Herrien. As expected, they have reloaded. With the unexpected announcement from Wake Forest transfer Jamie Newman, stating he will sit out this season in preparation for the NFL, it appears to be Southern Cal transfer JT Daniels’ job. While I think playing in the SEC will be an adjustment for Daniels, Georgia doesn't rely very heavily on their quarterback, so they’ll be put in a good position to be successful. Not to mention he’ll have a healthy George Pickens on the outside, giving him a legitimate #1 receiver with star potential. That leads me to replacing Swift and Herrien - they will be just fine. There is a stable of capable backs waiting in the wings. Zamir White, 247’s #1 running back in the class of 2018, and James Cook, Dalvin Cook’s younger brother, are poised to step in and carry the load this year. I would expect more of the same form the Dawgs this season--suffocating defense, great run game, and enough passing to win some games when needed.
Final Prediction: 8-2.
Wins: Arkansas, Auburn, Kentucky, Florida, Mizzou, Miss St, South Carolina, Vandy
Losses: Tennessee and Alabama.
Runner Up: Florida
Florida is ready to challenge again for top spot in the SEC East this year, but I’m not sure it’s their year to unseat the Bulldogs. Kyle Trask comes back with experience, and he is clearly light years better than Felipe Franks (why it took an injury for him to start is beyond me), so he should be a bright spot. Not to mention the impact of another off season under Dan Mullen, who is a masterful QB coach. Similar to Georgia, I think the Gator’s defense will be down right nasty per usual. The loss of Lamichael Perine certainly hurts and the guys vying to replace him are pretty unproven. I’m sure they are talented but the Gators will need some offensive line improvement to have a lethal backfield. No surprise but I expect the SEC East title will come down to the annual Georgia/Florida game in Jacksonville. To be determined how big of a cocktail party it is this year, maybe more a social distanced cocktail hour, but maybe by then more fans will be allowed in. I see it being a nailbiter, but UGA coming out on top in the end, giving them the head to head edge over the Gators and keeping the East title in Athens.
Final Prediction: 8-2.
Wins: Ole Miss, South Carolina, LSU, Mizzou, Arkansas, Vandy, Kentucky, Tennessee.
Losses: Texas A&M, Georgia.
3rd Place: Tennessee
Plenty of excitement in Rocky Top this year after the Vols won six straight to finish the year and salvaged what began as a nightmare. Jeremy Pruitt will be in his third year at the helm and fans will expect more improvement. I think they’ll get off to a hot start, including catching Georgia sleeping between big games against Auburn and Alabama, but eventually the Vols will come back to earth. Unfortunately, the Vols didn’t get any favors with the SEC-only schedule, adding Auburn and Texas A&M, alongside their annual bout with Alabama. Jarrett Guarantano returns for a fifth year, but expecting him to suddenly become consistent and stop turning the ball over is something only a hopeful Vol fan would do. He has great potential but hasnt shown much outside of flashes in four years. He is lucky Pruitt didn’t end his career after the goal line fumble against Bama last year. I believe the Vols will be good, and a tough opponent but they just won’t have the horses and depth to run the gauntlet of an all SEC schedule.
Final Prediction: 6-4.
Wins: South Carolina, Mizzou, Georgia, Kentucky, Arkansas, Vandy.
Losses: Alabama, Texas A&M, Auburn, and Florida.
4th Place: Kentucky
Expect a gritty, competitive team out of Lexington again this year. Thankfully for the Wildcats, Terry Wilson returns from injury, so they will no longer have a receiver starting games at quarterback. Mark Stoops has shown over the last few years that Kentucky is a tough, physical team and I don't think that changes in 2020. Look for plenty of close games this season and don't be surprised if they shock someone and get a big win. Also could see a lesser opponent like Ole Miss or South Carolina getting the best of them. At this point, a lot of games on their schedule look like coin flips so a .500 record out of the Bluegrass State seems realistic. In a 10 game SEC slate, I just don't see the Wildcats getting more than five wins unless John Calipari lets his basketball team suit up and catch fades from Terry Wilson in the red zone.
Final Prediction: 5-5.
Wins: Ole Miss, Miss St, Mizzou, Vandy, South Carolina
Losses: Auburn, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Florida
Photo: Mic Smith, AP Photo
5th Place: South Carolina
Another difficult year on the horizon for Will Muschamp and the Gamecocks. Yet again, they have a gauntlet of a schedule. No longer playing in state rival Clemson is nice, but they got a tough SEC West draw with LSU, Auburn and Texas A&M (a team they have yet to beat since the Ags joined the SEC) so yippee! This is where the self cannibalization of the SEC, and a ten game SEC schedule, really takes hold. I think South Carolina is a solid team and Ryan Hilinski showed some promise, but it's hard to find wins when looking over their schedule. Maybe schools will give coaches a pass given the craziness of this season, but it's going to be a massive challenge for Muschamp to cool down his hot seat.
Final Prediction- 3-7.
Wins: Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Mizzou
Losses: Tennessee, Florida, Auburn, LSU, Texas A&M, Georgia, Kentucky
6th Place: Mizzou
This is potentially the most challenging year in the history of college football for new head coaches to take over a program. No spring ball, limited recruiting, delayed fall camp, etc. Safe to say Eliah Drinkwitz has his hands full with all those challenges. Not to mention, he only has one year of experience as a head coach. A very impressive year as head coach of Appalachian State in 2019, but still the sample size is small and he doesn't have years and years of experience to fall back on during this wild season. Going .500 last year wasn't enough for Barry Odom to keep his job, but unfortunately for Tiger fans, they will take another step back this year.
Final Prediction: 1-9
Wins: Vandy
Losses: Alabama, Tennessee, LSU, Florida, Kentucky, Georgia, South Carolina, Arkansas, Miss St
7th Place: Vanderbilt
Ehhhhh. That's about all I have to say on Vanderbilt. I like Derek Mason but I think the writing is on the wall here. Very hard to see wins on this schedule when there are no out of conference gimmes for the Commodores to build some confidence and momentum. I look for Texas A&M and LSU to impose their will on Vandy weeks one and two, leading the dam to break and sending the team floating into the abyss of a winless season.
Final Prediction: 0-10
Wins: ehhhhh
Losses: Texas A&M, LSU, South Carolina, Mizzou, Ole Miss, Miss St, Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia.
SEC WEST
SEC West Champion: Alabama
Despite Alabama’s dominance during the Nick Saban era, they have just won the SEC West one out of the last three years. This shows how difficult it is to come out on top of the SEC West and go to Atlanta for the SEC title game. Not a surprising pick here, but it’s too hard to pick against the Tide this year. Mac Jones looked more than capable during his time replacing Tua last year, and although they lost Henry Ruggs III and Jerry Jeudy to the NFL, Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle return, continuing the run of lethal Alabama receivers on the outside. To make the tide’s offense even scarier, they return their top three rushers from 2019. Leading the backfield is Najee Harris, who is a bonafide star. Oh, and he is a threat in the passing game. Defensively, expect more of the same. The Tide always reload and show up in the fall with a stifling defense. The highly anticipated return of star linebacker Dylan Moses will certainly help from a playmaking and leadership perspective. They return LeBryan Ray and DJ Dale on the defensive line who had injury issues last year as well. Finally, if the Tide show any signs of struggling, look for Saban to possibly make a quarterback change and let freshman stud Bryce Young take the reins. Missing the College Football Playoff for the first time ever last season is all the motivation that Nick Saban needs to have a great season in T-town.
Final Prediction: 10-0
Wins: Mizzou, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Georgia, Tennessee, Miss St, LSU, Kentucky, Auburn, Arkansas
Losses: Nada
Runner Up: Texas A&M
Am I drinking the maroon kool aid? Guilty. It might just come back to bite me like it has many before who bought into the A&M hype train over the last few years. Yes somehow, I am still convinced this year is different and will be a breakthrough for the Aggies. We all know the schedule was set up easier this year, but with the SEC only schedule, the Ags added Tennessee and Florida, making it extremely difficult yet again. But this year, A&M is up to the test. With limited practice and off season training, experience and leadership will be huge for any team this season, and A&M has both. Returning eight starters on defense, including the hard hitting linebacker duo of Buddy Johnson and Anthony Hines, both of whom are on the preseason Butkus Award watch list. They will need a defensive lineman to step up and replace the production of Justin Madubuike, but Jimbo has recruited very well and there are plenty of talented players ready to make their mark. Look for Mike Elko’s defense to be pretty stingy this fall. On offense, it all starts with senior quarterback Kellen Mond. He has shown flashes of brilliance over the last three years but lacked consistency. With the weapons around him and an older, experienced offensive line, I expect Kellen to have a great year. If Kellen has some time in the pocket and the Aggies can establish a legitimate run game with Isaiah Spiller and Anias Smith, watch out.
Final Prediction: 9-1
Wins: Vandy, Florida, Miss St, Arkansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ole miss, LSU, Auburn
Losses: Alabama
3rd Place: Auburn
This year figures to be another typical year for Auburn under Gus Malzahn: unpredictable. I think 7-3 is the best case scenario and I lean this way for a number of reasons. First, Gus has been at Auburn since 2013, so the lack of offseason practice should have less of an impact on the Tigers than other schools with newer coaching staffs. Additionally, Kevin Steele returns for his fifth year and brings continuity on the defensive side, where Auburn is always stout. Finally, Bo Nix is returning for his sophomore season and should take a step forward. With the addition of Chad Morris to the coaching staff, I expect Nix to continue to improve throughout the season. The rest of the offense remains a bit of a mystery with little impact players returning, but it's safe to assume with Malzahn and Morris leading the way, the Tigers offense will be just fine. On defense, Big Kat Bryant, outside of having the best name in college football, is poised to step up and lead the defensive line this year. First team all-SEC middle linebacker, K.J. Britt also returns to lead a mostly unproven front seven. They need to replace stud DT Derrick Brown, a likely impossible task, but with the way Auburn recruits and Kevin Steele at the helm, expect a strong defense as usual on The Plains.
Final Prediction: 7-3
Wins: Kentucky, Arkansas, South Carolina, Ole Miss, LSU, Miss St, Tennessee
Losses: Georgia, Alabama, Texas A&M
4th Place: LSU
Last year LSU had what many consider to be the best, most dominant college football season in history. And it’ s hard to argue against that. I’ll spare you all the stats and accolades the Tigers racked up, because we all know what they accomplished last season. The key word here though is “last season” because LSU lost as much as any team I can remember, then throw in the whole COVID thing and you have an upcoming season with little predictability. Offensive guru, Joe Brady, left for the NFL and Dave Aranda is now the head coach at Baylor. Bo Pelini returns to Baton Rouge to lead the defense and Steve Ensminger will continue as Offensive Coordinator, but those are massive losses to the coaching staff. Outside of the many players who departed after the National Championship for the NFL, LSU has been hit hard with players opting out. Most notably, Ja’Marr Chase, Kary Vincent Jr., and Tyler Shelvin. Chase had one of the most dominant seasons in college football history as a wide receiver and will be sorely missed on the outside. Terrace Marshall Jr. now looks to be Myles Brennan’s number one option this fall and has massive shoes to fill. The one word that keeps coming to mind when thinking of the Tigers is unknown. Maybe Coach O can pull a rabbit out of the Bayou this year and not miss a beat - but I’ll believe it when i see it.
Final Prediction: 6-4
Wins: Miss St, Vandy, Mizzou, South Carolina, Arkansas, Ole Miss
Losses: Florida, Auburn, Alabama, Texas A&M
Photo: Rogelio V. Solis, AP Photo
5th Place: Ole Miss
The Lane Train has arrived in Oxford. Outside of some funny Twitter banter and hype, what exactly does the Lane Train bring? During his up and down head coaching career (excluding his stint with the Raiders), Lane has amassed a record of 61-34, which is nothing to balk at. Clearly, the Ole Miss job is the biggest challenge in his career and it will be interesting to see how it pans out. Time will tell what Kiffin decides to do with the QB position but both John Rhys Plumlee (no relation to the basketball Plumlees) and Matt Corral showed flashes last season. Plumlee is the most explosive but unless he can improve his throwing accuracy, Corral could still see some snaps. Jerrion Ealy and Elijah Moore give Kiffin some weapons on offense to work with as well. Expect Ole Miss to be a pesky team this coming year, and it wouldn't surprise me if they surprise a superior opponent or upset someone like LSU, Auburn or Florida. Especially given that Florida is week one so who knows what to expect.
Final Prediction: 3-7
Wins: Arkansas, Vandy, Miss St
Losses: Florida, Kentucky, Alabama, Auburn, South Carolina, Texas A&M, LSU
6th Place: Miss St
Similar to the arrival of Kiffin in Oxford, Mike Leach taking the reins in Starkville will bring a ton of excitement and entertainment. Graduate transfer out of Stanford, K.J. Costello appears to be the starter for the Bulldogs, and a lot of their success will rest on his shoulders. Leach is an offensive wizard and has a knack for making any quarterback look great and put up video game numbers. Mississippi State was known for tough, physical play under Dan Mullen so this will be a serious change of pace. I left out Joe Moorhead because they weren't known for much during his strange tenure. It will be interesting how Leach, not known for his running game, will utilize Kylin Hill this year. Hill led the SEC in rushing last season with 1,350 yards and is one of the best weapons returning in the conference. It will be extremely interesting to see how Leach’s offensensive strategy works in the SEC over time, but I think it will be a tough start in year one for the Bulldogs. Look for a lot of great tweets and press conference one liners out of Leach this season, just not so many wins.
Final Prediction: 3-7
Wins: Arkansas, Vandy, Mizzou
Losses: LSU, Kentucky, Texas A&M, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Ole Miss
7th Place: Arkansas
Well, the Chad Morris experiment in Arkansas was over in a hurry. The Hogs went winless in SEC play last season, and managed just two wins total. In comes Sam Pittman to try and kickstart a once proud program that has been floundering in mediocrity ever since a coach who shall not be named wrecked his motorcycle. Pittman is well respected around the SEC for his recruiting prowess and offensive line coaching, but is unproven as a head coach. Maybe he will recruit well and bring the program back to a respectable level, but unfortunately the cupboard is pretty empty this season. Felipe Franks doesn’t excite me, given he had a more talented roster around him at Florida and wasn't able to do much on a consistent basis. Rakeem Boyd is a talented back and should be one of the few bright spots for the Hogs offense this season. Unfortunately for Arkansas fans, there is too much unknown and too little talent in Fayetteville to see them winning many games this fall.
Final Prediction: 1-9
Wins: Mizzou
Losses: Georgia, Miss St, Auburn, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Florida, LSU, Alabama
Going to be a very interesting and totally unpredictable year in the SEC. But one thing is for certain, these picks will come true. Lock it in, this is the one true and unequivocally correct SEC preview. Excited to see all the football this fall.