1 To be sincere, Georgia and Texas had been in a heated race for the No. 1 spot. The Bulldogs get the sting given Kirby Sensible’s SEC monitor document, the truth that Carson Beck appears just like the convention’s finest beginning quarterback and extra consistency on protection. Talking of protection, anticipate that unit to look much like the one which completely thrashed opponents in 2021. Georgia is laden with veterans on either side of the ball, and something wanting an SEC Championship Sport look for this squad could be downright surprising.  2 If Georgia’s explainer wasn’t sufficient of a touch, we anticipate that Texas will acclimate effectively to its new digs. Steve Sarkisian has steadily constructed this roster right into a powerhouse, and after a breakthrough run to the School Soccer Playoff final 12 months, the bar is larger for this program than it has been since Colt McCoy was operating the offense. Quinn Ewers has gotten higher in every year as a beginning quarterback. He is received a load of expertise to work with on the offense, although a lot of it’s comprised of transfers or former blue-chip prospects with little collegiate expertise. The protection has some key areas to exchange, notably each inside defensive position spots and each beginning boundary cornerbacks, however there’s cause to imagine serviceable choices will emerge.  3 Is that this the 12 months Ole Miss lastly breaks by means of? The Rebels have definitely flirted with SEC glory all through Lane Kiffin’s tenure, although Alabama has constantly served as a serious barrier. Ole Miss can lastly step out from behind Alabama’s shadow now that divisions are a factor of the previous and the Crimson Tide are nowhere to be seen on the 2024 schedule. In truth, Ole Miss’ 2024 slate is so favorable that Kiffin completely loaded up on veteran switch expertise along with his eyes on a deep run to the expanded School Soccer Playoff. These newcomers, who may virtually comprise a wholly contemporary workforce on their very own, must jell in an precise recreation setting, however there’s loads there to work with right here.  4 If you have not heard, issues are fairly totally different round Tuscaloosa. Nick Saban determined to hold it up after an illustrious 17 years at Alabama, making manner for former Washington boss Kalen DeBoer. He inherits an incredible roster that regardless of a handful of key switch losses nonetheless has the makings of an SEC competitor. DeBoer additionally has a knack for getting one of the best out of his gamers, notably quarterbacks, so Jalen Milroe is in line for an enormous 12 months given his large bodily traits.  5 That is Missouri’s 12 months to make some severe noise. The Tigers will solely profit from the Brady Cook dinner-Luther Burden connection for thus lengthy. The previous may work his manner into the primary spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft, whereas the latter will virtually definitely be a top-15 choose. Mizzou does instantly have to exchange 5 defenders that had been chosen within the 2024 draft. Contemporary additions like five-star freshman defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri must come alongside shortly to plug the gaps on that aspect of the ball.  6 It is Nico time in Tennessee. After sitting behind Joe Milton for a majority of his freshman season and profitable Citrus Bowl Bowl MVP honors in his first profession begin, Nico Iamaleava is gliding into the 2024 season as Tennessee’s unquestioned starter at quarterback. An skilled offensive line that returns three starters, a backfield paced by Dylan Sampson and a large receiver corps that includes six gamers with no less than three years of collegiate expertise will assist him overcome any early rising pains. Control Tennessee’s protection; it is quietly gotten higher yearly underneath Josh Heupel. With a deep rotation alongside the road and an edge rusher like James Pearce Jr. wreaking havoc in opposing backfields, this group would possibly take its largest leap but.   7 Changing a Heisman Trophy winner is difficult. Changing a Heisman Trophy winner with a man that has only one begin in three years at LSU would usually trigger some consternation. However, man, it is actually onerous to not be enthusiastic about Garrett Nussmeier. By the few tantalizing glimpses we have gotten of him since he signed with the Tigers in 2021, Nussmeier appears to have all the instruments to succeed at this degree. He has an excellent body, poise, immense arm energy and accuracy at each degree. Nussmeier love apart, LSU’s ceiling is considerably lowered by a protection that continuously let it down final season and faces some main questions forward of the 2024 season.  8 There are two main causes for concern as Oklahoma transitions into the SEC: It is going to be breaking in a model new beginning quarterback in sophomore Jackson Arnold, and it has to exchange 5 offensive linemen with beginning expertise. Whereas the Sooners have achieved effectively addressing their OL wants by way of the portal, fielding a wholly new unit whereas shifting to a league just like the SEC definitely is not splendid. Having Arnold take his first constant snaps — exterior of a bowl recreation — behind that line definitely complicates issues. On the opposite aspect of the ball, Oklahoma might need one of many SEC’s deepest defensive items, so Arnold should not be tasked with digging the Sooners out of too many holes.  9 For a 3rd straight season, Kentucky enters the 12 months with a former switch at quarterback. Is Brock Vandagriff the one which lastly hits the following degree? He does not arrive to Lexington with as a lot expertise as his predecessors, however he does appear tailored for Kentucky’s pro-style offensive scheme. Properly, no less than the scheme we have come to anticipate from Kentucky lately as new offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan is certain to introduce a few of his personal wrinkles. Vandagriff could have his alternative of weapons with main receiver Dane Key again and wideout Barion Brown lining as much as unfold the sector alongside him.  10 Mike Elko was a wonderful alternative for Texas A&M after a whirlwind search to exchange Jimbo Fisher. In his very first 12 months as a head coach (2022), Elko led a Duke workforce that hadn’t had a profitable season since 2018 to an 8-4 document and a win in opposition to Gus Malzahn’s UCF within the Miliary Bowl. He adopted that up with a 7-5 displaying in 2023 that, when you think about the very fact Duke needed to take care of three totally different quarterback accidents, does not look all that disappointing. Now he takes over at a college that clearly is not afraid to spend massive on its soccer program. It isn’t outlandish to suppose that Elko’s Aggies can push for no less than eight wins this 12 months.  11 Most pundits appear to be fairly down on Florida. It is comprehensible given the Gators are actually 11-14 by means of two years underneath Billy Napier. This definitely appears like a make-or-break season for his tenure. But when there’s one workforce exterior the highest 10 of those rankings that I am assured can climb into that echelon by season’s finish, it is Florida. Graham Mertz is an underappreciated quarterback (and is probably going motivated to raise his recreation now that star freshman DJ Lagway’s within the room), vast receiver Eugene Wilson is among the SEC’s finest playmakers and the protection is definitely taking good form with transfers bolstering the returning starters.  12 Hugh Freeze has spent quite a lot of effort and time upgrading his workforce across the quarterback. Now it is as much as Payton Thorne to take that subsequent step. The previous Michigan State switch didn’t impress in his first season on The Plains. Whether or not that was as a consequence of an absence of expertise to unfold the ball to — not a problem now that former 5 stars like WR Cam Coleman are on the workforce — or Thorne’s personal limitations, he needs to be an entire lot higher if the Tigers need to keep away from embarrassments like shedding to New Mexico State.  13 Although Shane Beamer has but to announce something formally, it appears as if South Carolina shall be turning to a homegrown choice to exchange quarterback Spencer Rattler. LaNorris Sellers, who has impressed the teaching workers for the reason that second he entered this system, appeared like a cushty alternative this spring. Who he’ll throw the ball to stays to be seen. Xavier Legette, who accounted for over a 3rd of his former workforce’s receiving yards final season, is gone. So are three of the 4 main receivers behind him. Not nice for a first-time beginning quarterback. 14 Just some years in the past, it appeared like Arkansas was turning a nook underneath Sam Pittman. Now, there’s some concern about his job standing after simply 4 complete SEC wins over the previous two seasons. Arkansas has undergone some fairly extreme adjustments over the previous few months, although we’ll see if that results in any type of revitalization. Offensive coordinator Dan Enos received the boot after one 12 months, and a well-recognized title in Bobby Petrino was employed to exchange him. He’ll have a wholly new quarterback to work with after KJ Jefferson transferred away. Former Boise State starter Taylen Inexperienced appeared spectacular in Arkansas’ spring recreation. As did operating again acquisition Ja’Quinden Jackson. Will that pair be sufficient to energy Arkansas to a bowl recreation? It is going to be a tricky street with that schedule.  15 Jeff Lebby inherits an unenviable state of affairs. The primary-time head coach is taking up a program that, in some ways, remains to be reeling from Mike Leach’s sudden and tragic demise. Put in a bind, Mississippi State promoted former defensive coordinator Zach Arnett to exchange Leach. Arnett did not even final a full 12 video games. Lebby’s background underneath the likes of Josh Heupel and Lane Kiffin means that we will anticipate some fireworks from Mississippi State’s offense in 12 months 1, however turning the Bulldogs right into a bowl competitor this early looks as if a tricky ask for a coach as inexperienced as Lebby.   16 Merely put, anyone that coaches at Vanderbilt routinely has the toughest job amongst energy convention applications. The Commodores play in one in every of school soccer’s premier conferences however do not have the commensurate assets to compete. They’re at a expertise drawback virtually each single week, a niche that is rising given the inherent setbacks that academically elite universities (like Vanderbilt) face within the NIL and switch portal period. Clark Lea did his finest to alter issues up this offseason, bringing Tim Beck in as offensive coordinator and taking up defensive play-calling duties. It is simply onerous to see this being a squad that pushes for something greater than an honest non-conference displaying.