FAVORITE TEAMS

Alabama is THE team to win the conference. HOWEVER, the West is gradually improving on competition through player improvement and the transfer portal. If that helps some of the teams’ holes and weak spots, the Crimson Tide may have a much tougher obstacle on their hands.

Alabama should return to the playoffs, right?

Alabama is favored, but there’s speculation amongst the O-line being a weak spot, but I doubt it’s a concern. When you have Heisman candidates like Bryce Young and Will Anderson on the same roster, you’re bound for a playoff return and hopefully a championship gameBut, not many are aware of their beefed up schedule. They should beat Texas but something tells me the Tide will have a couple of missteps on their way to a win. The beginning of October becomes challenging and a loss becomes probable. It could be A&M, Tennessee, Mississippi State, LSU, Ole Miss, or Auburn? It comes down to the offensive line and the pass coverage.

Can Texas A&M go a step further in the West and turn the “tide” on Alabama?

The tension between Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban about recruiting and NIL hyped the matchup on October 8^th, and I’m all for it after the Red River Rivalry game that day. A&M has the recruits and experience to bump heads with Bama, but the offense must find a quarterback and their offensive line must shore up quickly before October. Most importantly, depth plays a factor as parts of their roster are young and most likely plays immediately. Their schedule also presents a challenge when they don’t have an established quarterback.

Who else could challenge Alabama in the West?

Arkansas coach Sam Pittman did an astounding job in 2 seasons improving the Razorbacks overall. The offense goes through KJ Jefferson and it may come down to how their defense slows down Bama.

Ole Miss lost quarterback Matt Corral and key pieces on defense, but transfers coming in could shore up those holes. Defense will once again be a question for the Rebels in 2022.

New LSU coach Brian Kelly has work cut out for him in Baton Rouge. LSU should compete and transfers coming in should help but key players that left the program becomes a concern for LSU’s depth.

Mississippi State has a tough schedule, but Mike Leach and company could make some noise in Year 3. The offensive line must step up for it to happen.

With strength in the trenches, experience and leadership on defense, and Tank Bigsby’s decision to stay, it comes down to the Auburn players’ commitment to Bryan Harsin. Texas A&M transfer quarterback Zach Calzada and Oregon transfer Robby Ashford arrived to challenge T.J. Finley for the starting job. True freshmen Holden Geriner is another quarterback to watch.

Can Georgia repeat in the 2022 season?

Georgia’s probably running the tables for the East and CFP again, but it’s difficult when replacing so many starting defensive players that were responsible for the title. The offense can’t hide anymore and must show they’re about as good as 2021’s best defense in the country.

Who could dethrone the Big Dawgs in the East?

Kentucky has a shot at unseating Georgia. The Wildcats had a few cracks at them the last 4 seasons, including being the first team to score 2 touchdowns on the nation’s best defense last season. It all depends on Will Levis’ improvement.

Tennessee could be on Georgia’s radar for the SEC East. However, their defense must step up and break down the offensive line to get after the backfield.

Florida is a mystery and there’s no telling where their season will go, but Anthony Richardson will be the key cog for the team. It’s hard to underestimate the Gators, and new coach Billy Napier will be responsible for what happens in their rivarly matchup in late October.

South Carolina could surprise in the East with Oklahoma quarterback transfer Spencer Rattler. It’s unfair for what happened to him at OU, but reuniting with coach Shane Beamer and playing alongside an underrated defense could shake up the division.

Mizzou has a slew of skilled players, but can quarterback Brady Cook get the job done? Bad defense will hinder them for a season or two.

Year 2 for Vandy under Clark Lea is making progress, but no way in haystacks will they come close to Georgia. How they also got one vote to win the SEC is beyond me. Either it’s a pity vote or someone must know something that the whole nation’s unaware of.

Who wins the SEC?

The obvious should be Alabama, but again, competition improved in the West and Alabama has an obstacle ahead of them. Their big test starts in October, and everyone on that October schedule except the state of Mississippi and an FCS school forced Bama’s hand last year. Texas A&M even upset the Tide with a backup quarterback. If it’s not Alabama, it could be Georgia. Otherwise, there’s Kentucky, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Tennessee, Auburn, etc.