We’ve assigned non-conference scheduling grades for both the East and West divisions, provided a list of players to watch, and discussed which conference game would have the biggest impact this fall. Now, it’s time to answer the all-important question: which team is going to win the conference title?
Q. Which team will win the SEC this year?
Kevin Causey
On Twitter @CFBZ
Who will win the SEC Championship? The history book tells us that history tends to repeat itself and I believe in that theory this season. The Alabama Crimson Tide must replace some key members of their 2015 championship team but I believe they will be able to reload.
Alabama will hold off Ole Miss and LSU in the SEC West. Then they will take down either Georgia and Tennessee in the SEC Championship Game. Alabama has just been too good for too long under Nick Saban to go with anybody else as the answer to this question.
Bart Doan
On Twitter @TheCoachBart
I hate going against Alabama, ever. It’s more often than not just a hole you dig knowing you’re going to fall in, but land sakes, you keep sticking that spade into the ground. They can’t win it every year, right? They need some grist for the motivation mill via not being a champ some years, right?
Sure. I’m going with Ole Miss. The Rebs have had the Tide’s number of late and will get them in Oxford early. History suggests if you’re going to get Alabama, do it earlier than later. The Rebels have the most stable quarterback situation in the conference in Chad Kelly, strength along both lines and could be even better if Isaac Gross comes back to full health.
The big question is along the offensive line protecting Kelly. They will be relying on youth to replace stud OL Laremy Tunsil. Yes, there are a bulk of questions still and massive talents to replace, but the Rebels have recruited well, have a tough but nice schedule setup, and I’m betting a lot of this on Kelly. Ole Miss over Florida in the SEC Title game.
Terry Johnson
On Twitter @SectionTPJ
Virtually every preseason publication is picking Alabama to win the SEC. While some of them don’t list the Crimson Tide as the nation’s top team, most expect Nick Saban’s squad to make the College Football Playoff.
I’m not one of them. Sure, the defending champions look like the real deal on paper again this season, but so did the 2013 team until the final second of the Iron Bowl. That one play changed the entire course of the season, knocking Alabama out of the SEC and BCS title games.
The same thing will happen this year. Although the Crimson Tide will be the heavy favorite to repeat as conference champion, history suggests that they’ll stumble along the way. No team has won three consecutive SEC championships since Florida captured four in a row from 1993-1996.
So, if Alabama doesn’t win, who will?
I’ll go with Florida. With Luke Del Rio at quarterback, the Gators should have no trouble repeating as division champions. While Alabama would still be favored in the SEC championship game, it’s worth noting that there hasn’t been a true upset in this contest since No. 13 Georgia surprised No. 3 LSU 34-14 back in 2005. Behind a high-powered offense and another top 15 rushing defense, the Gators will pull the upset and knock the league out of the College Football Playoff.
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