Breaking Down the SEC

It’s pretty clear from reading this blog that I’m a huge fan of the Southeastern Conference. I’ll watch any SEC game that’s on, even if it’s Kentucky vs Mississippi State, a game that’s not very likely to impact the conference championship. 

Here’s a rundown of predicted order of finish (reverse order, starting with the bottom of the standings) of how I think the SEC will play out this year. It’s basically the Right Wing guarantee that these predictions will go horribly wrong. 

SEC West 
Arkansas Razorbacks 
It’s easier to tell you what games Arkansas wins, rather than what games they lose. The Razorbacks will beat Nicholls State, UAB, and they’ll win on the road over Mississippi State. Bret Bielema hasn’t yet instilled Big Ten values into an SEC program. The Razorbacks are the punching bag of the SEC West this year. 
Predicted Record: 3-9 (1-7) 

Texas A&M Aggies 
Losing Johnny Football means a huge step back for the A&M program. Sure, I think they’ll play .500 football, just not in the conference. They’ll probably go to a bowl, just because they’re in the SEC and they have a rabid fan-base. 
Predicted Record: 6-6 (2-6) 

Mississippi State Bulldogs 
Mississippi State was, just a few years ago, talked about as a team on the rise. The other Mississippi school has surpassed them. Going 7-6 last year was alright. They played Auburn tough, A&M tough, never really let Alabama run away, and they beat Ole Miss. Things go differently this year, though the record is the same. 
Predicted Record: 6-6 (2-6) 

Ole Miss Rebels 
The SEC West will see a big disparity between the bottom three and the top four. This is the cut-off point. Ole Miss will be a solid three games better than Mississippi State overall. The Rebels have the most experienced QB in the conference. They were 8-5 last year, including a domination of traditional powerhouse Texas. Once they beat Boise State to start the season things will go well. Ole Miss will even beat 'Bama. But it won’t be enough to break into the 10-win club in the regular season. 
Predicted Record: 9-3 (5-3) 

Auburn Tigers 
From 0-8 in conference play to national championship runner-up to third place in the division in a three year span. That’s a rollercoaster ride if ever there was one. Auburn will reach 10 wins in the regular season. They’ll win a close one at Georgia. But they’ll lose to the two teams ahead of them in the standings, keeping them from returning to the SEC Championship Game. 
Predicted Record: 10-2 (6-2) 

LSU Tigers 
A boatload of freshmen players does not daunt Les Miles. He has the best freshman running back in the country. The LSU defense is usually quite good. LSU will have a shot, but back-to-back losses to Ole Miss and Alabama will keep the Tigers from the SEC Championship Game. 
Predicted Record: 10-2 (6-2) 

Alabama Crimson Tide 
Alabama will stagger out of the unholy three-way scrum atop the SEC West to play for the SEC Championship. Sure, the Crimson Tide are breaking in a new QB, but by the end of the season it will be business as usual for Alabama. The Tide should roll in most of their games. The early games might be nerve-wracking, as Jacob Coker gets into the swing of the offense. 10 wins, including wins over Auburn and LSU, will get the Tide back to Atlanta.
Predicted Record: 10-2 (6-2) 



SEC East 

Kentucky Wildcats 
Kentucky went 2-10 last year, so I think they’ll actually be better this year. They still won’t win a conference game, though. Stick to basketball, Wildcats. Football may just not be your thing… 
Predicted Record: 3-9 (0-8) 

Vanderbilt Commodores 
9-4 was the high-water mark for Vanderbilt last year. They’ll take a step back, seeing as the architect of their rise, James Franklin, departed for the Penn State job. They brought in Stanford DC Derek Mason to be the new head coach. They have an easy go of things, since they don’t have to play ‘Bama, Auburn, or LSU, and their toughest road test is at Georgia. Still, I think Vandy alternates wins and losses all season, leading to a 6-6 record. 
Predicted Record: 6-6 (2-6) 

Tennessee Volunteers 
Tennessee very nearly knocked off Georgia last year. They did knock off South Carolina. Things won’t go that well this year. I think Tennessee has “mark ‘em down” losses to Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and South Carolina. They’ll win 6 games, but they’ll only be 2-6 in conference play. 
Predicted Record: 6-6 (3-5) 

Florida Gators 

Anything less than .500 means Muschamp will be looking for a new job. The Gators have to finish with more wins than losses. They have to, and I think they will. Florida will lose to Alabama, LSU, South Carolina, and Florida State. The one that will hurt the most, though, is when Georgia hands them a 4th consecutive loss in the World’s Largest Outdoor Non-Alcoholic Fun For The Whole Family Football Game in Jacksonville. Can Muschamp survive 4 straight losses to rival Georgia? 
Predicted Record: 7-5 (4-4) 

Missouri Tigers 
Missouri surprised everyone last year by winning the SEC East and reaching the conference title game. This year, though Missouri comes back down to earth a bit. They’ll still be good, and still win 9 games. But there are only two teams involved at the top of the SEC East… 
Predicted Record: 9-3 (5-3) 

South Carolina Gamecocks 
The looming battle between Georgia and South Carolina for control of the SEC East is going to make for some great television. The Gamecocks open with Texas A&M at home. On September 13, the Dawgs come to Columbia for an early season power struggle. The winner of that game takes control of the division. I think Georgia wins a close game. The Gamecocks will stumble in late October at Jordan-Hare, but should finish 10-2. 
Predicted Record: 10-2 (6-2) 

Georgia Bulldogs 

Last season Georgia opened at #8 Clemson, home for #6 South Carolina, and home for #6 LSU. That’s an ugly opening schedule if I ever saw one. This season things are better. Clemson is not as dangerous as they were last year. Georgia gets a week off to prep for South Carolina while the Gamecocks have potential spoiler East Carolina at home. The biggest threat to UGA this season is Auburn, and the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry is always a close game. Georgia, though, should play well enough to go 11-1 and face Alabama for the first SEC Championship of the College Football Playoff Era. 
Predicted Record: 11-1 (7-1)