School soccer predictions: SEC preview as Georgia appears to proceed run

The SEC has earned its fame because the premier convention in college football.

An SEC crew has received the nationwide championship in 13 of the previous 17 seasons.

The convention’s stronghold on school soccer has solely intensified since Georgia ascended to the highest of the game.

The Bulldogs’ transformation right into a juggernaut has additionally ushered in a semblance of divisional steadiness within the convention. 

From 2009-16, the SEC West received eight straight convention championship video games.

Since then, Georgia has appeared in 5 SEC title video games, profitable two.

The Bulldogs’ emergence as a nationwide powerhouse has additionally made predicting the convention champion a trickier proposition. 

After a dominant run by Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide from 2009-16, simply three of the previous six SEC champions entered as preseason favorites.

Although you received’t confuse the SEC for a wide-open convention just like the Large 12, there’s hope for groups exterior of Athens. 

We’ll begin with Georgia, the preseason favourite (-110 at BetMGM).

The Bulldogs are changing Stetson Bennett at quarterback and 4 starters on protection.

All 4 of these defenders heard their names referred to as on the 2023 NFL Draft.

Carson Beck is the presumed starter and has a mushy opening slate (UT Martin, Ball State) to work out the changes. 

Fortunately for Beck, Georgia has a deep backfield, flanked by versatile weapons comparable to Missouri switch receiver Dominic Lovett and All-American tight finish Brock Bowers.

The protection returns beginning expertise in any respect three ranges — headlined by All-America candidates Mykel Williams (DE), Jamon Dumas-Johnson (LB) and Javon Bullard (SS). It’s basically a forgone conclusion Georgia will likely be in Atlanta in December. 

The thrill across the Alabama (+260) program this offseason is that the shortage of readability at quarterback leaves Saban and the Tide as weak as they’ve been in years.

But it surely’s price noting that this roster is comprised of three of the highest seven recruiting courses of all time. 

After being humbled by Tennessee and LSU final fall, the Tide are loaded with blue-chip expertise on protection, notably of their secondary.

Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has an opportunity to construct off a unit that simply completed ninth in scoring protection. Drawing LSU and Tennesee at house is a significant plus.

Whether or not it’s Tyler Buchner, five-star Ty Simpson or the dual-threat Jalen Milroe, Alabama has the expertise to face toe-to-toe with Georgia in Atlanta. 

Brian Kelly didn’t waste any time turning issues round in Baton Rouge. LSU (+450) received the West and threw for 502 yards towards Georgia within the SEC title sport.

The Tigers haven’t one, however two Heisman candidates at quarterback (Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier), 4 returning starters alongside the offensive line and a breakout star at receiver in Malik Nabers. What LSU wants is for its patchwork again seven to jell.

The Tigers added a marquee switch at linebacker (Speights, Oregon State) and 4 blue-chip cornerbacks headlined by Texas A&M five-star Denver Harris. Zy Alexander, a third-team FCS All-American final season, has an opportunity to be essentially the most impactful nook after a profitable spring. 

In case you’re searching for a flyer at a great value, Tennessee (20/1, BetRivers) is your crew.

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The Volunteers return 14 starters and draw Georgia at dwelling late within the yr.

Joe Milton III has the strongest arm within the nation and seemed masterful in a 17-point conquer Clemson within the Orange Bowl.

They’ll want their move protection to enhance by leaps and bounds (126th) in the event that they hope to win their first SEC title in 25 years. However at 14/1, that is the most effective worth play within the SEC.