Way too early 2018 SEC predictions
- Thread starter rgw
- Start date
Next year will be a different type of year for us. We always lose a lot of defensive players, but I've grown accustomed to us just plugging new guys in and it working out. I know the defensive backfield may be an issue, but next year the big question will be how the defensive coaching gels/schemes. Something to watch for sure. It's somewhat reassuring that we have a pretty good HC that will oversee it.
On the other side of the ball, I do think we'll field an offense that can be prolific. Even if the defense is slow to come around, I think we'll be in a position for the first time in a several years that we might could get into a Big 12 type shootout and we'll be the victor because we'll have the best gunslinger!
I agree that we've got a great chance to go 12-0 in the regular season next year!!!
On the other side of the ball, I do think we'll field an offense that can be prolific. Even if the defense is slow to come around, I think we'll be in a position for the first time in a several years that we might could get into a Big 12 type shootout and we'll be the victor because we'll have the best gunslinger!
I agree that we've got a great chance to go 12-0 in the regular season next year!!!
Deal. Someone will have to save this post or something because I will forget by football season.
There is so much we just don't know about next year's team at this point. I do think we are pretty clearly the best team in the conference right now. I won't put records because I'm not totally familiar with schedules but at this point, my prediction would be:
WEST
Alabama
Texas A&M
Auburn
LSU
MSU
Ole Miss
Arkansas
EAST
Georgia
Florida
South Carolina
Missouri
Tennessee
Kentucky
Vanderbilt
I think Texas A&M finishes above Auburn because their game is at Jordan-Hare and if I'm not mistaken, A&M has not lost there since they joined the league. Ironically, I don't think Auburn has lost in College Station either. Maybe I am giving Fisher too much credit here, but Sumlin's problem was never recruiting. I do think A&M, Auburn, and LSU will be a tough fight for second place. Ultimately, Coach O loses that fight, IMO. Ole Miss and MSU will fight for one of the SEC's last bowl slots. Arkansas will suck.
In the East, I do think Georgia wins it but barely. Florida is competitive but Mullen needs to upgrade the talent base. South Carolina beats UGA early in the season, but ends up dropping a couple later on which knocks them out of the race. Missouri is improved overall, but doesn't have the defense and depth to win the division. Tennessee is in a tough spot but I think Pruitt will show some positive for them in Year 1. Kentucky might finish above Tennessee but I think Vandy brings up the rear as usual.
Alabama, Texas A&M, Auburn, LSU, MSU, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and Missouri will make bowls for sure, and either Tennessee or Kentucky will but not both.
WEST
Alabama
Texas A&M
Auburn
LSU
MSU
Ole Miss
Arkansas
EAST
Georgia
Florida
South Carolina
Missouri
Tennessee
Kentucky
Vanderbilt
I think Texas A&M finishes above Auburn because their game is at Jordan-Hare and if I'm not mistaken, A&M has not lost there since they joined the league. Ironically, I don't think Auburn has lost in College Station either. Maybe I am giving Fisher too much credit here, but Sumlin's problem was never recruiting. I do think A&M, Auburn, and LSU will be a tough fight for second place. Ultimately, Coach O loses that fight, IMO. Ole Miss and MSU will fight for one of the SEC's last bowl slots. Arkansas will suck.
In the East, I do think Georgia wins it but barely. Florida is competitive but Mullen needs to upgrade the talent base. South Carolina beats UGA early in the season, but ends up dropping a couple later on which knocks them out of the race. Missouri is improved overall, but doesn't have the defense and depth to win the division. Tennessee is in a tough spot but I think Pruitt will show some positive for them in Year 1. Kentucky might finish above Tennessee but I think Vandy brings up the rear as usual.
Alabama, Texas A&M, Auburn, LSU, MSU, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and Missouri will make bowls for sure, and either Tennessee or Kentucky will but not both.
I don't have Alabama losing to anyone - I guess the hang-up is around the word "expect". I believe that Alabama will go undefeated, but I don't expect it.
Georgia will have a very talented team again in 2018 but make no mistake, their best shot at a national championship was two weeks ago. That team was loaded with upperclassmen and several talented juniors who went pro. I suspect they will win the East again but it won't be a cake walk. Missouri, South Carolina and Florida will be tough. Tennessee is a mystery because they're in transition but they still have some talent.
I have a feeling Georgia drops a game or 2 (I have a feeling South Carolina is going to play them tough.) but still think they win the East. I wouldn't be surprised if we lose a game but I don't see anyone on our schedule apart from Auburn that has a real shot.
Yeah, don't sleep on South Carolina. Muschamp seems to finally be finding his groove as a head coach and they had an extremely young team this past year. They were on the verge this year going 9-4 and only losing to UGA, Clemson, and then two early season losses in UK and TAMU. Their quarterback, Bentley, is a young stud, and they return at least their top 3 rushers, top 5 receivers, and 3 of their starting OL. Big question for them is defense, where they are losing 7 of their 11 starters. Still, USCe always seems to have an adequate defense.
Their schedule is also very favorable in that they get Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, and Texas A&M at home. Having to go at Florida and at Clemson will be rough to end the season, but I could easily see USCe upsetting UGA early, and bolting out to 6-0 or 7-0 before they come back to reality.
Their schedule is also very favorable in that they get Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, and Texas A&M at home. Having to go at Florida and at Clemson will be rough to end the season, but I could easily see USCe upsetting UGA early, and bolting out to 6-0 or 7-0 before they come back to reality.
Sent myself an email with the link to this post. But I really hope you never have to wear that puke orange. RTR
Not to mention the team is being gutted by graduation. There's just not much good talent on campus in Knoxville right now. I'll be impressed if they are bowl eligible in week 13.
Some random predictions:
TAMU will be a bigger threat, and the barn will once again be good. Stidham and Tua will both have monster seasons. The iron bowl will once again be for a spot in the seccg, and we will win with the help of home field advantage. We will beat Florida in the seccg.
Jimbo Fisher will get sec coach of the year.
Bryce Love will win the Heisman.
Four playoff teams will be Bama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Stanford. ACC will be locked out.
Bama beats Ohio State for #18.
TAMU will be a bigger threat, and the barn will once again be good. Stidham and Tua will both have monster seasons. The iron bowl will once again be for a spot in the seccg, and we will win with the help of home field advantage. We will beat Florida in the seccg.
Jimbo Fisher will get sec coach of the year.
Bryce Love will win the Heisman.
Four playoff teams will be Bama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Stanford. ACC will be locked out.
Bama beats Ohio State for #18.
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We will have the SEC West. Trailing behind will be TAMU,
then Auburn.
On the East... Georgia will lead the East, Followed by Florida,
then Tennessee.
If we play to expectations...
We can win em all, and again go into the playoffs.
It may not be easy, but #18 is there for the taking.
It's all a matter of how bad we want #18...
then Auburn.
On the East... Georgia will lead the East, Followed by Florida,
then Tennessee.
If we play to expectations...
We can win em all, and again go into the playoffs.
It may not be easy, but #18 is there for the taking.
It's all a matter of how bad we want #18...
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Man, I dunno, that Clemson DL should be scary good. Literally four first rounders playing together.
I think the east will be somewhat interesting. Not that who will come out on top but the role of the teams beneath. Mullen will have Florida playing better but I'm giving him a year to get his qb and offense in place. Defense however is rarely a problem at Florida. I think the surprise might be South Carolina, somehow Muschamp has gotten those guys playing with a little bit of swag....further along than I thought? They haven't turned the corner but they are one of those teams that could give headaches and cause a little havoc on a given Saturday in the East. I wouldn't be totally shocked if they finished second next year....depending on Floridas progress under Mullen. Tennessee....interesting ...CJP will do a good job there but I like where south Carolina is currently in relation to where Tennessee sits but I could see Tennessee passing them under CJP in a couple years....just my two cents
Speaking of "Way too early" I've just read that Alabama has been made a way too early 30 point favorite over Louisville in next seasons opener.
Knowing what else is in the ACC, I expect Clemson is actually probably a better bet to make the playoffs again than we are. Vegas might disagree with that, though.
Nice write up! I do think you're overly optimistic on Florida's turnaround. Emory Jones is not the answer, leaving the Gator's once again without a proven or serviceable QB. That's a huge problem to overcome. Moreover, they just don't have the offensive line or defense to make a 10 game run. I think South Carolina will be the runner up in the East. Boom is doing a nice job and they have a very good QB in Bentley with a solid defense.
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