SEC WEST PREVIEW
Week 0 is in the books and now it’s GAME WEEK. Can anyone dethrone Alabama in the West? How will the West shake out?
By: Bossman Slim
Bryce Young has big shoes to fill to keep Bama on top. (Photo: UA Athletics/Collegiate Images/Getty Images)
We’ve gotten through the East preview, now it’s time to shift our focus to the West, where the SEC Champion has come from in 11 out of the last 12 seasons. The East is going to have some teeth this year, but how about the West? It’s going to be a dog fight on this side of the conference.
There is one question that looms over the West, and really the entire country: can anyone dethrone the Tide? With so much production to replace, this might be the year for teams to make their move. Who are the teams that can make that move? Are there any surprises to watch out for?
I’m chomping at the bit. It’s GAME WEEK. Let’s dig right in.
SEC West
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
The Tide are a machine. It’s as simple as that. It’s a well-oiled phrase at this point: “the Tide reload they don’t rebuild.” That is so darn true. It doesn’t seem to matter who is in the coaching room or how many guys the Tide lost from last year’s all-world team. The only thing that matters is that Nick Saban is head coach, so watch out. No matter who is in the locker room, the discipline and consistency within this program are unlike anything we’ve ever seen in college football. And it’s why Sir Nick has done something never before done in the sport.
This is one of those years where Alabama loses a lot. Heisman winner Devonta Smith, Mac Jones, Najee Harris, and Jaylen Waddle are all gone to the NFL. All that production will be tough to replace, but it’s Alabama. Waiting in the wings is former 5-star QB Bryce Young and RB Brian Robinson, who was the 8th best back in his class in 2017. Trey Sanders is also healthy and should produce at a high level. If it’s not one of those two, throw a dart and hit another 4-star RB who can produce, as Dave in Tuscaloosa pointed out in his preview. Bama also returns John Metchie, Slade Bolden and Agiye Hall at wide receiver. While all those names are expected to produce right away, the offensive line is the biggest question mark after losing both the Rimington and Outland winner to the NFL along with left guard Deonte Brown. They have some hosses upfront who should be able to step in right away, but they’ll need to mesh quickly if Bama is gonna Bama.
On the defensive side of the ball, this should be an iron curtain. The Tide return 8 starters from last year’s unit which ranked 16th in the country in total D. While that is not up to standard in Tuscaloosa, the experience should pay off, resulting in this defense being salty all year. The experience should also help the offense get through any growing pains early in the season.
Alabama could struggle early in the year as they get their feet under them with all these new players, but it won’t take long. Give us Bama to win the West yet again.
2. Texas A&M Aggies
Talented dual-threat Haynes King takes over for Jimbo Fisher with high expectations (Photo: Icon Sports Wire/Getty Images)
The Aggies are knocking on the door, and very well could dethrone the Tide this year. It’s all coming together for Jimbo Fisher who has been racking up elite recruiting classes. This team is built to go toe to toe with Alabama.
After finishing #4 in the final AP Poll last year and barely missing the College Football Playoff, the Aggies can feel the wind at their back to get over the hump. To help them do that, A&M returns 9 starters on the defensive side of the ball from a defense that finished first last year in the SEC. Demarvin Leal leads the way as one of the top defensive linemen in the country, and the defensive line is built to pressure the quarterback and plug the middle. While the Aggies boast 9 returning starters, their depth is impressive at all levels of the defense, something that hasn’t been seen for a long time in Aggieland.
On offense, A&M must replace 4-year starter Kellen Mond at QB, but two talented gun-slingers wait in the wings in Haynes King and Zach Calzada. King is a dual-threat who it’s been said has the second-fastest pair of wheels on the team, while Calzada has a Howitzer of a right arm. King has been named the starter, but it’s clear from listening to Jimbo that he’s comfortable with either QB on the field, a good problem to have. King will have a plethora of weapons to distribute the ball to, including Ainias Smith, Caleb Chapman, and Chase Lane. Former 5-star WR Demond Demas will also be expected to contribute. RB Isaiah Spiller has All-American potential, and backup Devon Achane is a track star who can break one at any moment.
The Aggies offensive line was their crown jewel last year, and they lose 4/5 of the big uglies. But with the way Jimbo has recruited upfront, Aggies shouldn’t be too worried.
The Aggies can make a big move this year as long as the offensive line meshes and QB play is stellar. Until they slay the Alabama dragon, they’re still behind the Tide.
3. LSU Tigers
Don’t call it a comeback. Actually do.
LSU dropped off a cliff last year after their magical 2019 season with Joe Burrow at the helm. The Tigers sputtered out of the gate, losing 2/3 to start the season. It hardly got better the rest of the year, but the Tigers did end on a high note by beating Florida and Ole Miss to end the season.
This year, the Tigers return Max Johnson at QB, who is the starter by default after Myles Brennan went down with injury yet again. Johnson has stepped up as a leader of this team, and that’s clear from his demeanor in practices. This is his team now.
Johnson won’t have the luxury of throwing to Terrace Marshall this year, who is off to the NFL, but Keyshon Boutte returns and this kid is electric. He went over 100 yards in the final three LSU games after Marshall opted out. Who could forget the Ole Miss game where he singlehandedly torched the Rebel defense for 300+ yards and 3 TDs? Boutte will be an All-SEC WR and should be an All-American as well. Jontre Kirklin returns as well along with Trey Palmer and Jaray Jenkins. The Tigers have stockpiled WR talent, so look for a few talented freshmen to get into the rotation and make an impact. Sophomore TE Kole Taylor is a big target at 6’7 245, look for that tractor-trailer to get some touches and be a factor in the passing game. In the backfield, LSU returns John Emery and Tyrion Davis-Price who will likely be the two-headed monster yet again this year. It’s LSU, so they’ve also got two freshmen in the stable who could see playing time in Armoni Goodwin and Corey Kiner. This offense is loaded for new offensive coordinator Jake Peetz.
On defense, LSU is absolutely stacked. Last year’s porous unit will turn out to be an anomaly. It starts on the outside with two lockdown corners in Eli Ricks and Derek Stingley Jr., who may just be the best overall player in the nation. These guys will be like paint, draped all over wide receivers all year. They also added Major Burns, who transferred from Georgia and will help bolster the back end. At LB, the Tigers lose their leader in Jabril Cox, but add Clemson transfer Mike Jones who should make an immediate impact. The defensive line returns all four starters and has depth at every position.
The Tigers are loaded and poised for a big bounceback year. They will challenge Alabama and Texas A&M for SEC West supremacy.
4. Ole Miss Rebels
Watch out. The Lane Train got some momentum last year and now they’re throwing coal on that locomotive fire in Oxford. It’s not a runaway train yet, but offensive genius and philosophy lover Lane Kiffin has the Rebels feeling like they can take on the world.
It all comes down to the defense. The offense has arguably the best returning quarterback in the country in Matt Corral who is a darkhorse Heisman candidate. They’ve got Jerrion Ealy who will challenge to be the top back in the SEC. Joey Freshwater is going to chunk plenty of clipboards into the stand while watching the 2021 version of the Ole Miss offense.
But the defense could again make him tear his hair out from his visor and cost Ole Miss games. Kiffin addressed some needs on defense and recruited well in the 2021 class, but you don’t fix what has plagued the Rebs in just one cycle. This will be a multi-year effort to fix the defense. Kiffin has a great staff in place to do just that, but they need dudes. And those dudes just aren’t there yet.
Ole Miss will push some of the top teams in the West playing shootout at the OK Corral (see what I did there), but Kiffin needs one more recruiting cycle to have the Rebels ready to compete with the programs above them.
5. Auburn Tigers
Bryan Harsin takes over on the Plains. Can he work some early tenure magic like his predecessors? (Photo: Julie Bennett, AP Photo)
Well, who the hell knows? It’s a totally new era on the Plains with Bryan Harsin taking over for Gus Malzahn, who had worn out his welcome.
It’s yet another offensive coordinator and yet another new offense for Milo’s Tea and Bojangles spokesman Bo Nix, who has been much maligned in Auburn but hasn’t been given a great foundation for success. Maybe a fresh start and fresh offensive scheme will benefit the former SEC Freshman of the Year. Nix loses three top targets in Seth Williams, Anthony Schwartz and Eli Stove. The wide receivers are totally unproven and will have to step up in a big way if Auburn is to make any noise this year. Auburn fans were glad to see a few plays for the tight ends during the spring game. The TEs are talented and will factor into this offense as a safety valve for Nix. Of course, the offense will center around Tank Bigsby, who rushed for 834 yards and 5 TDs last year. Bigsby is one of the best backs in the SEC, and will challenge for top dog in a conference that is DEEP at RB.
On the other side of the ball, top-SEC tackler Zakoby McClain returns at linebacker as the heart of the defense. Auburn loses LB KJ Britt and two transfers along the defensive line (Big Kat Bryant to UCF and Daquan Newkirk to Florida), as well as their top two safeties. To plug all the holes, Harsin relied on the transfer portal to pluck players like DL Eku Leota (Northwestern), DE Marcus Harris (Kansas), STAR Christian Tutt (Vanderbilt), and DB Deshun Miller (West Virginia), among others. Senior CB Roger McCreary returns and will become one of the top cover corners in the SEC.
We like the staff that Harsin has assembled for the Tigers, but this will be a year of transition and growing pains.
6. Arkansas Razorbacks
Sam Pittman has Razorbacks like our own Wild Hog pumped up and ready to go. Hogs fans haven’t been this excited since Bret Bielema had Arkansas on an upward trajectory, going 8-5 in 2015 and finishing 3rd in the West. That fell apart in the subsequent two seasons, but Pittman will have some time to get this once-proud program back on its feet.
I’m high on the Pittman rebuild. Do I think they’re poised to make a move in the SEC this year? I put them at 6th in the SEC West...so no. I think with another two solid recruiting classes, Pittman and the Hogs can make some noise. But this is still a rebuild project, and it will show on the field again this year.
Arkansas loses veteran QB Feleipe Franks to the NFL, who stepped in after transferring from Florida. Franks played well last year and was the unquestioned leader of the team. Replacing Franks is redshirt sophomore KJ Jefferson. Jefferson was once a highly-touted prospect out of Mississippi, and it will be interesting to watch his progression in 2021. He’s got the talent, can he live up to his potential? Jefferson has some weapons he can rely on, particularly RB Trelon Smith, who looks to improve on his 700+ yard, 5 TD 2020 season. The Hogs lose Mike Woods who transferred to Oklahoma, but return 3 of their top 4 receivers, including 2nd Team All-SEC pick Treylon Burks. Talented TE Hudson Henry has battled injury but should be ready to produce this year. Jefferson should also enjoy solid protection upfront, as Arkansas returns all five starters along the O-line and who are coached by one of the best line coaches in the country in Pittman.
Jalen Catalon returns to anchor the Hogs defense.
On defense, there is much optimism as Barry Odom returns at DC to coach up 10 returning starters. A few of those starters include LBs Bumper Pool and Grant Morgan who racked up tackles last year (both finished in the top 5 in the SEC) and fly around the field. Another dude who flys around the field is S Jalen Catalon, who returns to sky-high expectations in Fayetteville. Catalon also finished in the top 5 in the SEC in tackles and added 3 INTs and a TD. The entire starting secondary returns and should be a stout unit. The defensive line returns three starters and adds a host of transfers to bolster depth.
Sam Pittman is a good coach, he just needs his team to keep making strides on the field and keep recruiting to add talent and depth. Arkansas is on the rise - but that won’t show up in the win column in 2021.
7. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Arkansas over Mississippi State may cause a little controversy. In my view, Mississippi State lost A LOT after that mass exodus of players last year. It’s also a matter of historical reference. In his last two stops at Washington State and Texas Tech, it usually takes 3-4 years before the Pirate gets it going. At Tech, Leach turned it around in year 3, going 9-5, while at Wazzu it hit in year 4 when the Cougs went from 3-9 in 2014 to 9-4 in 2015. Leach is recruiting well, bringing in the #26 class in 2021 and has momentum in ‘22, also ranked #26 at the moment (247 rankings). Leach doesn’t need top classes to turn a program around. If he keeps recruiting at that level, we’re on track for another jump in 2023 or 2024.
But they still have to play the games this year, and I don’t see it for the Bulldogs in ‘21. Now could Leach prove me wrong and trip up a big dog, as they did with LSU last year? Absolutely, don’t count out the magician. “Cowboy” Will Rogers returns at QB and is the presumptive starter, but has not yet been named QB1. He’s being pushed by South Alabama transfer Chase Lovertich, but betting money is on Rogers. Kylin Hill departs at RB, but he was a non-factor last year after opting out early in the season, and the Bulldogs return their top two rushers, but that’s not saying much. In Leach’s system, receivers play an outsized role. They’ll be replacing top target Osirus Mitchell, but return sophomore Jayden Walley who is expected to have a big season.
The defense was a bright spot last year, finishing 5th in the SEC in total defense. State returns 8 starters from that squad which should help keep Clanga Clanga in games. The defensive line is thin with only one returning starter, but there’s talent in the cupboard that should step up. The defensive backs return all starters and should be a solid unit yet again.
Unfortunately, there won’t be enough for Mississippi State to overcome their transition period on offense. Hold your heads high, though, Bulldogs fans. Having Leach at the helm means you can pick off anyone on any given Saturday, and that the future is bright.
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