Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
With the start of spring games in college football, it’s time to start giving early assessments of how the conferences could play out. Next up with the SEC that is getting a few new teams added.
1-Georgia Bulldogs
Carson Beck is back for Georgia, and that is after a season in which the offense averaged 40.1 points per game. Even with Ladd McConkey and Brock Bowers off to the NFL, from spring practice Colvin Young, RaRa Thomas, Dillon Bell, and Dom Lovett are among some of the names stepping up. This is in addition to getting an upgrade at running back through the transfer portal in Trevor Etienne. Plus, having a strong defensive front again led by Mykel Williams will make the Bulldogs once again well-balanced.
2- Alabama Crimson Tide
No Nick Saban, no problem? Well, it isn’t that simple, but Alabama won’t be as bad as everyone is thinking. Kalen DeBoer was a better hire than most are giving him credit for, he was able to come in and help turn around the Washington Huskies with how he is able to build a locker room culture. DeBoer has the talent on the team to build with. Jalen Milroe is back under center after turning things around in the second half of the year. The receiving group has a talented receiver ready to help things on offense as well in Germie Bernard, and the defense with Kane Womack’s swarm defense with a 4-2-5 base should provide for even better results.
3- Texas Longhorns
Quinn Ewers is back, and Steve Sarkisian seems to have finally been able to get the program back on track. Now the challenge becomes how that translates to the SEC level, and with a completely new receiving group. Luckily, through the transfer portal, getting Isaiah Bond, Silas Bolden, and Matthew Golden helps, and the offense should be able to compete at the SEC level very effectively.
4- LSU Tigers
LSU, like Alabama, is being severely underrated ahead of the 2024 college football season. They are losing their Heisman quarterback in Jayden Daniels, but Garrett Nussmeier is more than capable of keeping the same level of production. He’s proven to do so, so far already with 395 yards and three touchdowns over a 68.9% completion percentage in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Wisconsin when Daniels sat out to prepare for the draft. The defense should look to be improved under new defensive coordinator as well in Blake Baker who will have a premiere defensive talent to work with in Harold Perkins. Overall, LSU is a team to not overlook in 2024.
5- Missouri Tigers
A big reason for Missouri at five is their quarterback-wide receiver duo of Brady Cook and Luther Burden being back. Cook had 3,317 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2023, Burden made up 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns of that. With that duo on offense, expect fireworks once again. The defense is where things become a bit of a question. They allowed just 20 points per game in 2023, but are now under a new defensive coordinator in Corey Batoon. Some talent is still there with Chuck Hicks, Dresden Norwood, and Johnny Walker, but can they replicate the success of Darius Robinson, Ennis Rakestraw and Ty’Ron Hopper? I think they can, making them at the very least a top five SEC team.
6- Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee took a step back last season, but expect that to change in 2024. Nico Iamaleava will be under center, and after a spring game in which he went seven-of-nine for 96 yards including a 27-yard touchdown in addition to going 12-of-19 for 151 yards and rushing for 27 in the bowl game against Iowa, it’s clear to see why he will elevate the offense. The strength of their defense from 2023 in the defensive line is carrying over into 2024 as well, especially being led by James Pearce again. With a strong front and explosive offense, Tennessee will be back among the top of the conference again.
7- Ole Miss Rebels
In my opinion, Ole Miss has been overrated so far this offseason. They did finish 11-2 last year, and adding talent like Walter Nolan, Princely Umanmielen, and Juice Wells helps, but not to the point of where they should be considered top three in the conference. Jaxson Dart is back at quarterback, but can the offensive line improve from allowing 27 sacks and adjust on the ground without Quinshon Judkins remains to be seen. Not only that, but more depth on the defense and working on securing tackles is also a must for the Rebels before being ranked higher.
8- Texas A&M Aggies
Mike Elko takes over as the new Aggies head coach and should be expected to get the program back on track. It starts with the defense, when he was with the team in 2021 as the defensive coordinator, the unit ranked seventh in the nation. Now he gets talent like Shemar Turner, Nic Scourton, Dezz Ricks, Antonio Johnson, Will Lee, and Albert Regis to work with. On offense Conner Weigman has shown potential and under new offensive coordinator Collin Klein, he should be able to showcase his full potential.
9- Oklahoma Sooners
10- Auburn Tigers
11- Kentucky Wildcats
12- Florida Gators
13- Arkansas Razorbacks
14- South Carolina Gameco*cks
15- Mississippi State Bulldogs
16-Vanderbilt Commodores
