Welcome to the 2017 SEC Football Preview. Can Alabama be dethroned in 2017?
Nick Saban has recruited so well, that even when players leave for the NFL, there’s a four or five star recruit ready to step up and fill in for him.
The West again should outpace the East with Alabama, Auburn and LSU being the league’s top three teams.
In the East, it looks like the division will be decided when Georgia and Florida tangle in Jacksonville.
SEC Preview
SEC East
Georgia Bulldogs – QB Jacob Eason should make strides in his sophomore season to improve an offense that was 102nd in scoring last season. 10 of 11 starters return on defense which should get them to Atlanta.
Florida Gators – The defense was 6th in scoring last year while the offense was 107th. Can Felipe Franks make plays down the field for the Gators? Will the D be the same with many new starters?
Kentucky Wildcats – Mark Stoops has built to this season. His team has expectations for this year. There are playmakers on both sides of the ball. If the defense can improve from being tied for 86th in scoring last year, they could contend in the East.
South Carolina Gamecocks – The offense was 116th last season. It looks like it could make a major improvement this year. Muschamp usually has a good D so if he can get an offense to go with it, the Gamecocks should be competitive.
Tennessee Volunteers – It’s make or break for Butch Jones this season. A lot of key talent is gone including QB Josh Dobbs. How will the Vols fill those holes?
Missouri Tigers – The defense fell dramatically last year finishing tied for 90th in scoring. Has Barry Odom figured out a solution for the D? The offense has 10 starters back which could help a struggling defense.
Vanderbilt Commodores – Offense has nine starters back but was 113th in scoring last season. If the defense can stick to giving up only 24 a game, the Dores could be competitive even with a tough schedule.
SEC West
Alabama Crimson Tide – The defense lost a lot of talent but has talent ready to reload at every spot. Offense has great talent at skill positions to threaten defenses.
LSU Tigers – As usual, it’ll come down to QB play for LSU. If Danny Etling can make some plays, LSU could be very good. Guice leads the offense and is one of the nation’s top runners.
Auburn Tigers – QB Jarrett Stidham transferred from Baylor. He could be a good fit for Gus Malzahn’s offense. He’ll get help in the backfield from Kamryn Pettway. Defense is skilled and they have an advantage at Kicker that should help in close games.
Arkansas Razorbacks – The defense is changing to a 3-4 scheme to try to get better than 85th in scoring last year. Austin Allen back at QB will be key. He should be able to make the plays to keep the Razorbacks competitive.
Texas A&M Aggies – After a 6-0 start to 2016, the Aggies lost five of seven including their bowl game. Can the new QB get the ball to Christian Kirk and the other playmakers at receiver? Kevin Sumlin’s job could depend on it.
Mississippi State Bulldogs – Dan Mullen always has a competitive team. With QB Nick Fitzgerald, he has a playmaker to lead his offense. The defense will have to improve for the Bulldogs to be a bowl team.
Ole Miss Rebels – Will the pending NCAA sanctions hang over the Rebels all season? New coordinators show things aren’t going well. Defense has to get better than 100th in scoring.
2017 SEC Predictions
| Predicted Record | ||||
| SEC EAST | W | L | CONF W | CONF L |
| Georgia Bulldogs | 10 | 2 | 7 | 1 |
| Florida Gators | 8 | 4 | 6 | 2 |
| Kentucky Wildcats | 8 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| South Carolina Gamecocks | 5 | 7 | 3 | 5 |
| Tennessee Volunteers | 5 | 7 | 2 | 6 |
| Missouri Tigers | 6 | 6 | 2 | 6 |
| Vanderbilt Commodores | 5 | 7 | 2 | 6 |
| Predicted Record | ||||
| SEC WEST | W | L | CONF W | CONF L |
| Alabama Crimson Tide | 12 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| LSU Tigers | 10 | 2 | 6 | 2 |
| Auburn Tigers | 10 | 2 | 6 | 2 |
| Arkansas Razorbacks | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Texas A&M Aggies | 6 | 6 | 3 | 5 |
| Mississippi State Bulldogs | 4 | 8 | 1 | 7 |
| Ole Miss Rebels | 5 | 7 | 1 | 7 |
2017 SEC Football Championship Game Prediction
Alabama over Georgia
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