TUSCALOOSA– Football Season is right around corner and fans can barely hold in their excitement anymore. Something about the feel of sitting in the stands, cheering our your buddies and seeing your team find their way to victory just changes a fan.
While every other conference is filled with teams that could very well hoist up the trophy this year, all eyes once again turn to the dominance that has been known as the SEC. Since 2006 a member of the SEC has represented at least one if not two of the teams in either the former BCS National Championship or the College Football Playoff. In the early Top 25 rankings according to BleacherReport.com, eight teams have already cracked into an easier path to find their way into the Final Four rankings come December.
With heavy favorites such as Alabama sitting in at number 4 to up and coming teams like Tennessee who sits firmly at 15, this year’s SEC is much more wide open then it has been in recent seasons.
While we can only dream for another 5 weeks here to watch as our favorite teams kick off the season, we here at WVUA-FM just couldn’t sit and wait any longer. So, choosing some of our oldest and most knowledgeable members of the staff, here are our early selections for who will be raising the SEC Championship trophy in Atlanta come December.
CAMERON TEW- Co-Host on The Student Section
SEC East Winner: Tennessee
I like what Butch Jones has done to make UT a legitimate contender in the SEC. Josh Dobbs at quarterback and a favorable conference schedule makes them a hot pick in the East. Hard to count out Missouri and Georgia, but I think the Vols take care of the Bulldogs at home and steal one on the road in Missouri. This is finally the Vol’s year in the East, and Butch Jones can finally see his hard work on the recruiting trail pay off.
photo by NFL.com
SEC West: Alabama
A lot of questions surround the Tide heading in to the season, but Nick Saban never fails to answer. Expect players like Kenyan Drake and OJ Howard to step up, and create big plays on the offense side of the ball. Alabama has the best defensive line in the country, which forces the opposition to become one dimensional offensively. All eyes look toward Bama’s match up with Auburn in the Iron Bowl. but don’t look too far. Bama travels to Athens and College Station, also playing host to Arkansas, Tennessee, and LSU. I believe a special season lays in store for Alabama, and expect them not only to win the west, but the SEC.
SEC Championship: Alabama vs. Tennessee
Alabama defeats Tennessee twice in the 2015 campaign to become SEC champions. I believe the program’s overall experience and track record factor into defeating the less experienced Vols. Alabama will sport some of the nation’s best talent on the field and the sidelines. Josh Dobbs can create alot of confusion for the Tide defensively, but it’s the Vol’s defense that worries me. Saban and the Tide get it done in Atlanta for a second straight year.
Winner: Alabama
TAYLOR MOONEY- Co-Host of The Student Section
SEC East: Georgia
The beast of the east will be… drum roll please… the Georgia Bulldogs. The Bulldogs reel in the most talent year after year on the recruiting trail, and this year I am really hoping they don’t throw it away with a loss to a team or two they should not lose to (last year Florida and South Carolina). Georgia has the best player in the SEC East and maybe the entire SEC in sophomore running back sensation Nick Chubb. Their defense should be solid with another year under Jeremy Prewitt. In addition, it’s hard to be sold on the rest of the east. Tennessee is still another year away, Florida is rebuilding, and I’m just not sold on Maty Mauk. So, barring any surprises, which are bound to happen, I think Georgia takes the east.
photo by dynastyfootballwarehouse.com
SEC West: Alabama
The west is much more wide open, but at this point I think it is a two team race between Alabama and Auburn. If LSU’s quarterback situation is ever resolved, throw them in as well. But, I think Alabama comes out of the west for three reasons. One, the Tide will get back to running the football more as Saban alluded to at SEC Media Days. Secondly, the defense should be improved immensely. The secondary, led by Cyrus Jones, showed promise at A Day and new secondary coach Mel Tucker should also give them a boost.
SEC Championship: Alabama vs. Georgia
And now, the SEC Champion. For the first time this century, I think a team repeats as SEC Champion. Alabama beats Georgia, and returns to the college football playoff. The Tide should rely heavily on the much improved defense to lead the charge. I expect the front seven to be one of, if not the best that Saban has had at Alabama. The defensive line should get pressure on the passer to alleviate some of the pressure on the secondary. Also, Alabama has weapons to step in and contribute offensively, so I think the concerns there are over exaggerated. Alabama has won two national championships with a first year starting quarterback, and reached the college football playoff with the Blake Sims. The Tide should roll to their 25th SEC Championship.
Winner: Alabama
ZACH TIGERT- Host of The Student Section
SEC West: Alabama
The SEC West didn’t fair to well in bowl games at the tail end of 2014. After what was called “The Toughest Divison in Football”, the West only managed to have two winners in bowl season.
My pick for the West this year, is once again, the Crimson Tide. Last year, Alabama had secondary issues stand out. With another year for the young secondary to grow and learn under Coach Saban, I don’t figure the backend will have much of a problem figuring things out. Add in top recruits Ronnie Harrison, Marlon Humphrey and Tony Brown (who played extensively last season), and this could be a unit primed for a breakout year. And with a front seven that has Jonathan Allen, A’Shawn Robinson, and Jarran Reed on the D-line, plus returning starters Reggie Ragland and Denzel Devall at linebacker, the defense looks primed to get its swagger back. Offensively, the questions remain at QB.
photo by sportsdaynow.com
Regardless of who gets dubbed the starter, every quarterback on scholarship is at least a former three-star recruit, they will have plenty of options to throw to with talented receivers like ArDarius Stewart and Robert Foster ready to take over in the absence of Amari Cooper. Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake give Alabama a strong but thin stable of running backs, while the offensive line still is anchored down by Cam Robinson at left tackle and Ryan Kelly at Center. All this talent being coached by Lane Kiffin is a recipe for success. Look for Alabama to be playing in Atlanta come December
SEC EAST: Tennessee
The East is just as spread out as the west, though maybe not as strong. My pick to win are the Tennessee Volunteers. In his fourth year now, head coach Butch Jones has to make it to Atlanta in order for his seat to stay at a comfortable temperature. That should not be hard to do with the amount of talent in Knoxville. While the offensive line has some weaknesses, the athletic ability of quarterback Josh Dobbs will make up for any lapses in pass protection.
Dobbs has the ability to extend plays and make something out of nothing. Add in valuable weapon Marquez North at wide receiver and running backs Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara and this offense could be as potent as any in the county.
Defensively, the Volunteers secondary is at the least, very good. Brian Randolph will leading the charge at safety while Cameron Sutton at corner will be one of the conferences best. Curt Maggit and Derek Barnett will have no problem helping that backfield out. Last year the two combined for twenty-one sacks and with another year of experience, that number should quickly rise.
SEC Championship: Alabama vs. Tennessee
Remember those offensive line problems I mentioned for Tennessee? Well ultimately in Atlanta I believe those problems will hurt them, facing the best defensive line in the nation with Alabama in the SEC Championship. In a classic battle between the current SEC bully and the former bully of another age, the Alabama Crimson Tide will win the SEC championship over the Tennessee Volunteers.
COLE THOMPSON- Alabama Lead Writer, Host of The Student Section
SEC East: Missouri
Look, this is really going to come down to a three way battle in my opinion; Missouri, Georgia and Tennessee. Whether you believe the hype or not about Tennessee, the Volunteers are in the right path to make a run for the trophy this year. Led by now proven Signal caller Joshua Dobbs, the Vols offense should expect big plays from the air between him and Marquez North but also a solid running game between Jalen Hurd and former five star Alabama running back Alvin Kumara. The defense did lose AJ Johnson this season but after a solid freshman campaign from Derek Barnett, who had 10 sacks last season, he will be a nightmare for quarterbacks to get away from this season. Also, The Vols defense will get a glimpse this season at Andrew Butcher, the 5 star weak side end from Alpharetta, Georgia.
photo by stltoday.com
The winner of the SEC East will be based off who hangs on during the final games of the season. While I believe Georgia will defeat Tennessee, I think losses to Alabama, Auburn and surprise…Mizzou, will knock the Bulldogs out of the picture. I really am sold on Russell Hansbrough and his running ability. He can probably carry the Tigers offense all the way down the stretch. Not to forget that Mizzou has one of the best solo tacklers in the SEC in outside linebacker Kentrell Brothers returning this season. After defeating both Georgia and Tennessee, the Tigers are heading back to Atlanta for the third straight season.
SEC West: Alabama
The SEC West has been called by multiple fans and coaches across the College Football world as “The Toughest Division in Football”. While that may be true, this season will also come down to three teams(in my opinion); Alabama, Auburn and Texas A&M. While I am sold on Jeremy Johnson’s dual-threat capability, somewhere along the way I feel he’ll drop a game. As for Texas A&M, they will more than likely drop at least 1, but they will at least pull one upset as well.
With Alabama, plain and simple; get a quarterback or get out. With the once again revolving battle between at quarterback between Jake Coker and insert name here (last year Blake Sims, this year David Cornwell), will be a key factor in deciding how Alabama does this season. However, everywhere else besides Quarterback the Tide is solid. Hybrid player Kenyan Drake will be extremely key in leading this young offense back to another stellar year and Linebackers Reggie Ragland and Ruben Foster must show dominance to keep up Kirby Smart’s reputation of building fantastic run-stopping defenses.
In the end, Alabama’s secondary will lose their battle to (sigh* due to pure hatred) Texas A&M in College Station, but will lead Alabama to an 11-1 season, sending them back to Atlanta for a repeat at the SEC title.
SEC Championship: Alabama vs. Missouri
With a rematch of the 2014 SEC Championship, this game should be closer than many would imagine. After playing Alabama two times in the last 3 season, Mizzou’s coach Gary Pinkel should be able to sneak his way into the mind of Nick Saban. The key factor will be how the defenses handle the opposing running backs. Both Russell Hansbrough and the duo Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake have the ability to tear through defensive fronts and make the backfield come and make the big hits.Another key factor will be seeing how Robert Foster, ArDarius Stewart and Chris Black step up and replace the big three (Amari Cooper, Christion Jones DeAndrew White) from last year. In the end, I think the receiving skills of Kenyan Drake push the Crimson Tide ahead of Tennessee in the fourth quarter to give Alabama their 25th SEC Championship
photo by Bleacherreport.com
Winner: Alabama
OVERALL VERDICT
SEC EAST: Tennessee
SEC WEST: Alabama
SEC WINNER: Alabama
