SEC Rankings- 2013 College Football Rankings



Expect the Confetti to fall on an SEC Team yet again this year.

 

It wasn’t until I started ranking these teams that I realized just how big the SEC is now. Seriously, they have 14 teams!  Mizzou is one of them!!!! Anyway, the SEC was a very entertaining Conference to predict considering just how many talented rosters the Conference boasts this year. I seriously hope we don’t have an all SEC National Title game, but there’s a very good chance it might happen this year. Anyway, here we go:


1.       Alabama Crimson Tide: 12-0

a.       Toughest Games: @Texas A&M; LSU; @Mississippi State

b.      Key Returning Players: QB AJ McCarron; RB T.J. Yeldon; WR Amari Cooper; Cornerback Deion Belue

c.       Key Question Marks: Can the Crimson Tide go into College Station and stop Manziel? Has the Alabama Offensive Line lost too many key players? Nick Saban can’t win every year, right?

d.      Overall: Nick Saban is the best coach in America Sports, period. Although the Crimson Tide are always talent rich, no Coach prepares his team quite the way Saban does. McCarron should be even better this year and TJ Yeldon showed in 2012 why he has a higher upside than Lacy. The Defense will again be great, but the Offensive Line does have to replace three All-Americans. The O- Line last year may have been the best I’ve ever see, so don't expect this year’s younger unit to be quite as good. Still, Alabama will bulldoze through their schedule going undefeated in the regular season.

2.       Georgia Bulldogs: 12-0

a.       Toughest Games: @Clemson; South Carolina; LSU

b.      Key Returning Players: QB Aaron Murray; RB Todd Gurley; Cornerback Damian Swann

c.       Key Question Marks: Did the Bulldogs lose way too much talent on Defense to return to the SEC Title Game? Considering the fantasy football team he has on offense, can Aaron Murray be the most efficient QB in the SEC? Will the Bulldogs be ready for their very difficult early schedule?

d.      Overall:  The Bulldogs better hit the ground running during their 2013 season, in which they start with back to back games against Clemson and South Carolina. I trust Coach Mark Richt will have his team ready and the Bulldogs should cruise throughout the rest of their schedule. However, this all assumes their young defense will be capable of limiting Clemson, South Carolina, and LSU to less than 30 points. The Bulldogs lack an explosive pass rush, so Aaron Murray and crew will have to put up considerable points on the board every week. Expect to see the Bulldogs in Atlanta come SEC Championship time.

3.       LSU Tigers: (2013 Projection: 10-2)

a.       Toughest Games: @Georgia; @Alabama; Texas A&M

b.      Key Returning Players: Defensive Lineman Anthony Johnson; Safety Craig Loston; WR Odell Beckham

c.       Key Question Marks: Have the Tigers finally found their guy in QB Zack Mettenberger?  How will new Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron spark the Tigers Offense? Did the Tigers lose too many key defensive players to contend with top SEC teams?

d.      Overall: Don’t expect the 2013 Tiger Defense to be the 2011 unit that carried a pitiful offense on its back to the National Championship game. The Defense is still supremely talented but isn’t nearly as deep as it was in 2011. However, with the return of Mettenberger and Beckham, this should be the best LSU offense we've seen since Matt Flynn. They won’t win at Georgia or Bama, but they’ll win everywhere else. Never doubt “The Hat.”

4.       Texas A&M Aggies: (2013 Projection: 10-2)

a.       Toughest Games: Alabama, Mississippi State (trap game); @LSU

b.      Key Returning Players: QB Johnny “Johnny Foosball” Manziel; WR Mike Evans; Offenisve Tackle Jake Matthews

c.       Key Question Marks: Will  the NCAA suspend Johnny Manziel for the 2013 season? Even if Manziel can play, will he be able to live up to the insanely high expectations of Aggie fans? How will the Aggie offense fare with the loss of Left Tackle Luke Joeckel?

d.      Overall: Kevin Sumlin is a fantastic Head Coach and the Aggie Defense was the unsung hero of the 2012 season. The team lost some talented linebackers from last year, but they return most of their defensive secondary, along with wide receiver Mike Evans. Regardless of whether or not Manziel can play, the Aggies are still primed for a good season........ Now on to Manziel. After Tim Tebow’s Heisman year, he spent the offseason doing charity work in the Philippines and then led the Gators to a National Championship. From what I’ve seen, Manziel can’t handle success like Tebow and I expect him to crumble under expectations this year. Saban will be very ready for “Johnny Foosball” come September and I expect Manziel to play poorly against Mississippi State or LSU. This should all lead to a 10-2 season, which is still a great year for A&M, but not the year Aggie Nation is expecting.

5. South Carolina Gamecocks (2013 Projection:  10-2)

a.       Toughest Games: @Georgia; Florida; Clemson

b.      Key Returning Players: Defensive Lineman Jadeveon Clowney; Tight End Rory Anderson; Guard AJ Cann

c.       Key Question Marks: Will Jadeveon Clowney demand double or triple coverage on every play? Is Connor Shaw the most underrated QB in the SEC? Can the Cocks running game finally get going this year?

d.      Overall: I can’t wait to watch Jadeveon Clowney play this year, especially against Aaron Murray. Also, I would love to see an SEC Title game that positioned Clowney against Manziel. However, I just don’t see that happening. The Ole’ Ball Coach has a habit of losing games big road games and the running game still leaves much to be desired. South Carolina will finish the season ranked in the Top 10, but they won’t be playing in the SEC Title Game.

6.       Florida Gators: (2013 Projection: 9-3)

a.       Toughest Games: @LSU; Georgia; @South Carolina

b.      Key Returning Players: QB Jeff Driskel; Defensive Lineman Dominique Easley; Cornerback Marcus Roberson

c.       Key Question Marks: Can Jeff Driskel be anything more than a game manager? Do the Gators finally have the depth a Wide Receiver needed for an efficient offense? Are the Gators even better at Defense then in 2012?

d.      Overall: The Defense is loaded and the running game should be solid yet again. However, the passing game will likely remain weak and the Gators offensive line won’t have a chance against Jadeveon Clowney. Driskel is a fine game manager, but he doesn’t exactly strike fear into the hearts of SEC corners. The Gators Defense will keep them in every game, but Driskel won’t be able to close the deal in 3 of them.

7.     Mississippi State Bulldogs: (2013 Projection: 8-4)

a.       Toughest Games: @South Carolina; @ Texas A&M, Alabama (all 3 consecutively)

b.      Key Returning Players: Guard Gabe Jackson; Running Back LaDarius Perkins; Linebacker Benardrick McKinney

c.       Key Question Marks: After losing their top 3 cornerbacks from last year, how bad will the Bulldogs secondary be in 2013? How much better can QB Tyler Russell play entering his final year in Starkville? Can the Bulldogs do better than being the 85^th ranked rushing attack in the FBS?

d.      Overall:   With Tyler Russel and LaDarius Perkins both back for another year, the Bulldogs should average over 30 points per game. However, I’m afraid of just how many points this team is going to give up with all the losses in the defensive secondary. Sorry, but I don’t see how the Bulldogs can beat the GameCocks, Aggies, Tide, or LSU Tigers.

8.       Ole Miss Rebels: (2013 Projection: 7-5)

a.       Toughest Games: @Texas; @Alabama; LSU

b.      Key Returning Players: Linebacker Denzel Nkemdiche; WR Donte Moncrief; RB Jeff Scott,

c.       Key Question Marks:  With all the starters returning on Defense and a great recruiting class coming in, is this the deepest Rebels Defensive unit in recent memory? How can Coach Hugh Freeze lead the Rebels through this brutal schedule? Can QB Bo Wallace limit his mistakes this season?

d.      Overall: The Ole Miss Rebels return 19 starters coming off of a winning season. Under normal circumstances I would pick this team to finish with atleast 8 wins. However, the Rebels play at Texas and at Bama, and then have home games versus A&M and LSU. Long story short, their schedule is too difficult.

9. Vanderbilt Commodores: (2013 Projection: 7-5)

 

a.       Toughest Games: @South Carolina; Georgia; @Texas A&M

b.      Key Returning Players: Defensive Lineman Walker May; WR Jordan Matthews; Cornerback Andre Hal

c.       Key Question Marks:  Does Austyn Carta-Samuels have the potential to pick up where Jordan Rodgers left off? How will the Defensive Unit cope with the departure of Linebacker Chris Marve? With Zach Stacy gone and no “every down running back” on the roster, will the running game suffer significantly?

d.      Overall:  The Commodores completed 2012 winning their last 7 games, finishing 9-4. Even with losing their best defensive player and best running back, it seems like Vandy returns enough talent to compete for an SEC East Title. However, the Commodores lack depth at most positions and Jordan Rodgers left for the NFL. Vandy will be Bowl bound again but I still think they’re a year away from really competing.

10. Tennessee Volunteers: (2013 Projection: 6-6)

a.       Toughest Games: @Oregon; Georgia; @Alabama

b.      Key Returning Players: Defensive Lineman Daniel McCullers; Linebacker AJ Johnson; Center James Stone

c.       Key Question Marks: To what degree will the Volunteer Offense decline with the loss of QB Tyler Bray? With ten returning starters, the defense has to improve, right? What can we expect from QB Justin Worley?

d.      Overall: The Tennessee Volunteers scored a lot of points last year, but let the opponents score even more. The offense should be a little worse without Tyler Bray, but most of the offensive line does return. Additionally, the Defense is markedly more experienced now. I’m a little higher than most on Tennessee by giving them 6 wins, but I think this is a balanced team with a lot of potential at QB.

11.       Arkansas Razorbacks (2013 Projection: 5-7)

a.       Toughest Games: Texas A&M; @Alabama; @ LSU

 

b.      Key Returning Players: Center Travis Swanson; Defensive Lineman Chris Smith; Defensive Lineman Bryan Jones

c.       Key Question Marks: How long will it take new Head Coach Brett Bielema to return the Razorbacks to 2010-2011 status? What can be expected from QB Brandon Allen this season? With 4 returning starters on the Offensive Line, will the Razorbacks actually be able to establish a running game this year?

d.      Overall:  Brett Bielema made his bones in Madison by running the football. This is a perfect fit for an Arkansas team that finished 2013 ranked 107^th in the nation last year. Also, I love that Bielema has already named Brandon Allen the starting QB. The Razorbacks are still a long way away  from the heights of Bobby Petrino and Ryan Mallett, but they’ve definitely found their coach for the future. Hog Suey!!!

 

 

12.       Auburn Tigers: (2013 Projection: 4-8)

a.       Toughest Games: @LSU; Georgia; Alabama

b.      Key Returning Players: RB Tre Mason; Tight End CJ Uzomah; Safety Demetruce McNeal

c.       Key Question Marks: How will new Coach Gus Malzahn improve the offensive efficiency of the Tigers? Is JUCO transfer QB Nick Marshall the next Cam Newton? Is the Defensive Front 7 strong enough to compete in the SEC?

d.      Overall: Auburn enters 2013 with a new head coach and no established QB. Basically, their starting from square one but that may be a good thing considering the Tigers went 0-8 in conference play last year. Malzahn is a great offensive mind and the future looks bright for Auburn. Still, the Tigers are rebuilding and won’t be competing for an SEC West Title in 2013.

 

13.       Kentucky Wildcats: (2013 Projection: 4-8)

 

a.       Toughest Games: Louisville; @South Carolina; Alabama; @ Georgia

b.      Key Returning Players: Linebacker Avery Williamson; Defensive Lineman Alvin Dupree; RB Raymond Sanders

c.       Key Question Marks: How will Coach Mark Stoops fare in his first year at Kentucky? Will Mark Stoops do for the Wildcats Defense what he did for the Florida State Seminoles? Did Maxwell Smith show enough through 3 games last year to earn the starting QB position?

 

d.      Overall: QB Maxwell played decently enough until he got injured early last year. The Wildcats could also start Jalen Whitlow, who is certainly a more athletic option. The Wildcats Defense isn’t terrible and I like Running Back Raymond Sanders to put up some decent yards this year. However, this is the SEC and Kentucky isn’t elite at any position. I’ll give them 4 wins and call it a day.

14.       Missouri Tigers  (2013 Projection: 4-8)

a.       Toughest Games: @Georgia, South Carolina, Texas A&M

b.      Key Returning Players: Defensive Lineman Kony Ealy; Linebacker Andrew Wilson; Cornerback EJ Gaines

c.       Key Question Marks: Why has Coach Pinkel yet to name Senior James Franklin the starting QB? Is this the year WR Dorial Green-Beckham breaks out? Did Coach Pinkel finally fix the Offensive Line issues in the offseason?

d.      Overall:  The Defense is solid, but nothing on the offensive side of the ball is. The Offensive Line last year couldn’t create holes for the Tigers rushing attack and also couldn’t give any of their quarterbacks enough time to distribute the ball. Additionally the Schedule does the Tigers no favors, forcing them to face all the other bottom level SEC teams on the road. My take, whoever plays QB won’t be able to get Dorial Beckham-Green the ball and the Tigers go winless against SEC opponents.