What is it like to be the best and at the top of the food chain? For years, the SEC knew exactly what that felt like. After winning seven straight BCS National Championships, the SEC seemed unstoppable, but that all ended two years ago. The Florida State Seminoles and Ohio State Buckeyes were like a buzzsaw, cutting the SEC down to size and showing that they no longer rule the college football world.
In 2015, the SEC hopes to be back at the top of their game and with the crop of teams in the conference this year, there’s really no reason why they couldn’t be dominant again.
But who exactly will shine in Week 1? Who is the best team within arguably the best conference in country? Let’s find out.
No. 5: LSU
There has been a number of people claiming that the LSU Tigers are a dark horse to win the SEC West and go on to the College Football Playoff. There has also been a number of people saying that LSU will be lucky to finish 7-5 this year, which would surely have people calling for Les Miles’s head in the offseason. After finish 8-5 and losing the Music City Bowl to Notre Dame, Miles’s seat with the Tigers could not be any hotter, so performing well is a must.
Miles and the Tigers like to play under pressure. Why do you think some of their toughest games this year have not been scheduled at night, when they are their most dangerous?
The Tigers live for the challenge and with sophomore running back Leonard Fournette leading the charge (and possibly the early Heisman race), the offense should be potent, especially with receivers Travin Dural and Malachai Dupre surrounding either Brandon Harris or Anthony Jennings at the quarterback position.
The defense is just as hungry this year as well. The defensive back unit were the only team in 2014 to allow less than 200 completions and with Tre’Davious White returning, the Tigers should have another stout defense in 2015.
No. 4: Texas A&M
The Aggies have been a popular pick to finish in contention for the SEC West this season with a few people even picking them to advance to the SEC title game in December. The team has been waiting for their opportunity to shine after Missouri, who came into the league the same year as A&M, has played for two SEC Championships in the last two seasons.
The Aggies are certainly missing Johnny Manziel at the helm of their offense, but Kyle Allen filled in well for Kenny Hill after he didn’t produce as well as the would have liked. Allen battled true freshman Kyler Murray all summer long for the starting job, but the elder’s experience won out in the end. Allen will enjoy having Speedy Noil on the outside to catch passes for him all year.
The defense for the Aggies should stout as well. Myles Garrett is one of the top NFL prospects for the 2016 NFL Draft and whether is he standing up or down in a stance on the edge, he can cause havoc for opposing offenses. He should play a big part in the success of the Aggie defense.
No. 3: Alabama
The Alabama Crimson Tide don’t look near as strong as they did in the 2014 season. The team had a strong starting quarterback in Blake Sims, who was a nice surprise for the team. The Tide’s real strength will be at running back. Kenyan Drake is back after a horrifying ankle injury and Derrick Henry, who came on late in the season, will be able to carry much of the load as he is already been compared to Eddie Lacy in terms of his size.
The one position where the Tide lack strength is at quarterback. The team has used five different quarterbacks in first team scenarios this offseason and they have yet to name a starter for the first game against Wisconsin.
The defense should again be a strong point for the Tide, namely the defensive line. The front seven is anchored by A’Shawn Robinson, who has been praised as a top pick for the 2016 NFL Draft class. He should be able to provide the much needed boost along the line for the Tide.
No. 2: Georgia
The Georgia Bulldogs have been right in the mix for the SEC East championship the last two seasons, but one loss hurt killed their chances on making it into the Georgia Dome in December. In 2013, it was Missouri, and last year, it was Florida. The team is looking to be back at the top of their game in 2015 and they will have to rely on the feet of their 2015 Heisman candidate.
Nick Chubb is going to be a key ingredient to the success the Bulldogs want to have this year. He is going to be their main starter after filling for an injured Todd Gurley for much of last year and he should carry much of the load for them this year. The Bulldogs are in the same position as the Crimson Tide in terms of their quarterback with Brice Ramsey, Faton Bauta, and Greyson Lambert all competing for the starting job.
The defensive unit for the Bulldogs is again very young, especially in the backfield. Luckily, the Bulldogs have linebacker Jordan Jenkins and nose tackle Sterling Bailey back for their senior year. Both of them should be key pieces in the success of the Georgia team as they hunt for their first spor in the SEC Championship game since 2012.
No. 1: Auburn
I mean, who didn’t see this one coming? The Auburn Tigers are hungry and looking for the SEC West championship after falling just short of making the game in December last year. The Tigers have been talked about all summer long as having one of the best offenses in the country.
The Tigers are the only team of these five to actually have had their starting quarterback for longer than a month. Jeremy Johnson has played backup to Nick Marshall for much of his career with the Tigers, but he is now finally getting his shot. People have already compared him to Cam Newton as they have also compared their corps of running backs to the 2013 season’s group.
Their defense is going to be just as stout as they have been in the past. The defensive back unit, namely Jonathan Jones and Blake Countess, will be able to step and be huge for the team this year. They will certainly be a force within the SEC West this year.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
