The SEC. Where do I even begin…This is probably the contentious conference in college football. To its fans, it’s a literal religion, with their teams being worshipped like otherworldly Gods on Saturdays in Tuscaloosa and Gainesville and Auburn. To those who don’t represent the conference, the terms “overrated” and “overvalued” get tossed around like a deflated football by Uga and Mike the Tiger. (Those two by the way, may be the saving grace of this entire conference. And maybe Coach O.)
Let’s get ready to dive into the 2018 SEC.
Team to Watch: Mizzou
If you were asked which SEC quarterback had the best QBR last year, what would your answer be? Jake Fromm? Danny Etling? Jalen Hurts? No, no and no. The answer would be Mizzou Senior QB Drew Lock. Not only did he lead the SEC in QBR, he threw for a conference leading 44 TDs. (To put that into perspective, Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield has 43 touchdowns.) With Lock’s talent alone, this team has the potential to knock on the door of the top-25. If their defense can improve over their 35th worst scoring defense, Mizzou could be set up to have quite the season in the SEC.
Game to Watch: Auburn at Alabama (11/24)
It’s the Iron Bowl. You were expecting something else? It may be only one of two competitive game played in the SEC regular season.
Potential Contenders
East: Florida
The East is shaping up to be a fairly contested division amongst the projected top three. Unfortunately, the difference between 1 and 2 in the East is going to be a substantial mountain to climb. Florida is going to need to play a near perfect season if they hope to unseat the national runner-ups from a season ago. With new coach Dan Mullen’s offense, this team expect to surpass their miserable 22.1 PPG last season. With playmakers on the outside and Junior RB Jordan Scarlett in the backfield, this offense will be able to get the job done while one of the SECs premier defenses holds their own. (OH! And they don’t leave the Sunshine State after October 13th.)
West: Alabama
I don’t think they have what it takes this year. While they will definitely be playing in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta, expect Alabama to miss out on back-to-back SEC Championships. That being said, their road to said game is paved with Arkansas State, UL-Lafayette and Citadel. (Hey at least they aren’t playing Mercer this year.) They will to consistently show up and put up points against the bottom feeders of the SEC and make their way into the Iron Bowl undefeated.
Conference Winner: Georgia
There’s a new king of the SEC. That king wears a collar and a red sweater and is hands down one of the best mascots in all of College Football. Jake Fromm returns for his sophomore (wait, that can’t be right….nope. He’s a sophomore) season under center for Kirby Smart and expect another stellar season out of number 11. The path to the CFP is a fairly easy one for Georgia so expect to see the Bulldogs in the CFP and probably playing for another National Title this season.