The Daly Dose College Football Preview: The Southeastern Conference

This is it.

The big one.

That land where college football is a religion, and the teams are loaded with future NFL stars.

The SEC has won 8 of the last 10 national championships, and if you aren’t sure which conference is the best…the fans will remind you.

Sure, most of those fans didn’t actually attend these places of higher learning. But don’t worry about that. Just be impressed that they can actually spell “S-E-C”.

East

1. Tennessee Volunteers

Predicted finish: 10-2   

This is it. This is the season that head coach Butch Jones has been building for, and the year that Vols fans have been waiting for. The offense should be potent under QB Josh Dobbs. The defense should be improved. This is your year, UT. Don’t blow it.

2. Georgia Bulldogs   

Predicted finish: 9-3   

Georgia ran off former head coach and nice guy Mark Richt, primarily because in 15 seasons he won 74% of his games, but went just 5-10 against arch-rival Florida. But would Bulldog fans be happy if they lost more games overall, had jerk for a coach, but beat Florida? Well yeah, obviously.

3. Florida Gators

Predicted finish: 9-3

The Gators got back to winning last year, going 10-4 and making it to the SEC Championship.  And then we saw a number of UF players get arrested in the off-season. Head coach Jim McElwain wanted to get Florida back to where they were under Urban Meyer. And he seems to be on his way.

4. South Carolina Gamecocks

Predicted finish: 7-5   

South Carolina goes from Steve Spurrier to Will Muschamp. I’ve seen Steve Spurrier. I’ve watched Steve Spurrier. You, Will Muschamp, are no Steve Spurrier.

5. Missouri Tigers

Predicted finish: 5-7

Coming off of a disappointing season, the Tigers will look to improve behind a stout defense. But with a young QB and an inexperienced offensive line, Mizzou could be in for another long year. At least they have a quiet, peaceful campus to go home to.

6. Vanderbilt Commodores

Predicted finish: 5-7

The Dores have a solid defense, and least season QB Kyle Shurmur and RB Ralph Webb were at least productive enough to beat Missouri and Kentucky. Oh, I know that isn’t much, but this is Vandy we are talking about.

7. Kentucky Wildcats

Predicted finish: 4-8   

The Wildcats had a pretty loaded roster and eight home games in 2015, and managed just a 5-7 record. A more challenging schedule, and less talent, will leave Kentucky fans wondering for the millionth time “Why couldn’t we get Bob Stoops instead of Mark?”

West

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

Predicted finish: 11-1   

Nick Saban just keeps plugging in new talent and winning year after year, despite not getting stellar play from his quarterbacks. But at some point, that deal he made with the Devil has to run out, doesn’t it?

2. LSU Tigers

Predicted finish: 10-2   

LSU has the talent and experience to contend for an SEC and maybe even national title. But a nasty schedule could keep them from reaching those lofty goals. Oh, and also…Les Miles.

3. Ole Miss Rebels   

Predicted finish: 9-3   

The Rebels went 10-3 a year ago, and they have the talent and recruits to contend again this year. If they can get past Florida State in the opener, Ole Miss could be in the hunt for some impressive accomplishments that will be forcibly vacated in the very near future.

4. Auburn Tigers

Predicted finish: 8-4   

The Tigers were preseason favorites to contend for a National Championship last year, but instead struggled, going just 7-6. It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, as Auburn has always struggled when they have high expectations.  No wonder Cam Newton went there.

5. Texas A&M Aggies  

Predicted finish: 7-5

A&M lost reliable punter Drew Kaser which could be a bit of a problem, because they signed OU transfer QB Trevor Knight. So we know they are going to need to replace Kaser, because they are going to be punting. A lot.

6. Arkansas Razorbacks   

Predicted finish: 6-6   

The Razorbacks are going to be rebuilding their offensive line and breaking in a new quarterback.  That doesn’t sound like a good combination to us. Like Bret Bielema in a China shop.

7. Mississippi Bulldogs

Predicted finish: 5-7

Dan Mullen has to try to find a way to replace Dak Prescott. That won’t prove to be an easy task, but the Bulldogs should still have enough talent to get a bowl berth. If that means anything.

Did you miss our Daly Dose Pac 12 Preview?

Be sure to stop by on Thursday for our Daly Dose College Football Top 10!