SEC Preview: The nation's top conference wants its national championship back
The SEC's string of seven straight national championships came to an end with Florida State's last-second victory over Auburn in the final BCS National Championship Game back in January. The conference hasn't lost its mystique, however, as eight teams were included in the AP preseason Top 25, more than any other conference in college football. The team that wins the conference championship this season is all but guaranteed a spot in the first College Football Playoff and if any conference has a shot at putting two representatives into the post-season, it's the SEC.
The Favorites
Alabama
Last year's record: 11-2
AP preseason poll: 2
What you need to know: After three years as the starter, A.J. McCarron is gone, which leaves Nick Saban with a big question mark at quarterback. No matter who is under center, they will have an incredible trio of running backs to hand the ball to in T.J. Yeldon, Kenyan Drake and Derrick Henry. The three combined to average almost seven yards per carry last season and will ensure the Crimson Tide have no problem moving the football this year.
What you probably didn't know: Alabama fans love their school, but their hate for Auburn may be even stronger. For proof of that, look no further than this Crimson Tide fan who got the vanity license plate "THXFSU" after Florida State beat the Tigers in the BCS National Championship Game. The hate is strong with this one.
Potential upset: Any loss for Alabama would likely be considered an upset this season, but the team that appears to have the best chance is LSU. The Tigers are ranked No. 13 in the preseason Top 25 so it wouldn't be a massive upset, but would still be unexpected. Playing at Death Valley is never easy, as LSU has won three of the last five meetings at home.
Auburn
Last year's record: 12-2
AP preseason poll: 6
What you need to know: The Tigers were perhaps the SEC's biggest surprise last season, going from 0-8 in the conference in 2012 to SEC champions last year. They'll be hard-pressed to reach the same kind of success, but with quarterback Nick Marshall returning for his second season with the Tigers and Gus Malzahn's offense built on running the football, Auburn should at least be in the hunt to repeat as the conference champs.
What you probably didn't know: It's already been announced that Marshall will not start the season opener because of an offseason citation for marijuana possession, which means someone else - likely Jeremy Johnson - will get the start against Arkansas. When that happens, it will mark the eighth straight season the Tigers opened the season with a different quarterback than the previous year. Not since Brandon Cox in 2006 and 2007 has an Auburn quarterback started the season opener in consecutive years.
Potential upset: Mississippi State was a tough opponent for the Tigers in 2013, losing 24-20 in Auburn. This year the Bulldogs will play the role of host and the meeting comes sandwiched between games against LSU and South Carolina for Auburn.
South Carolina
Last year's record: 11-2
AP preseason poll: 9
What you need to know: The Gamecocks have finished the season ranked in the top 10 in each of the last three years, including ending 2013 at No. 4, the highest ranking to end the season in school history. Dylan Thompson will have the difficult task of replacing Connor Shaw under center and Thompson would be wise to get the ball to running back Mike Davis as often as possible for South Carolina to find success.
What you probably didn't know: No school likes to deal with scandal, that's why getting out in front of a potential NCAA infraction is always the right decision. The Gamecocks may have gone a little overboard with that idea in August, however, when the school self-reported a violation of impermissible icing on a cookie cake. Thankfully the NCAA told the Gamecocks the icing was not a violation and everyone is free to enjoy their delicious desserts.
Potential upset: South Carolina struggled with an injury-riddled Florida team late in the season last year, pulling out a 19-14 victory in Columbia. This year the Gamecocks will make the trip to Gainesville to face a healthy Gators squad that will be primed for an upset.
Georgia
Last year's record: 8-5
AP preseason poll: 12
What you need to know: The Bulldogs may have lost quarterback Aaron Murray to the NFL, but their biggest return is the health of running back Todd Gurley. Gurley was slowed by injury throughout the 2013 campaign and while he still managed nearly 1,000 yards on the ground, he's a legitimate Heisman contender this year. The real question mark is in Georgia's secondary which wasn't great in 2013 and could struggle even more this season.
What you probably didn't know: Perhaps the best sign yet that today's youth just doesn't concern itself with the past comes from starting quarterback Hutson Mason. The replacement for Murray is apparently unfamiliar with "Star Wars" because he doesn't know who Han Solo is. That's just a flat out lack of respect for the galaxy's greatest smuggler.
Potential upset: The Missouri Tigers are unlikely to be as good as they were last season, but will still prove to be a difficult matchup for the Bulldogs. When the two met last season, Missouri earned the 41-26 road victory and while there may have been roster turnover, the Tigers will have a lot of confidence when Georgia arrives in Columbia.
LSU
Last year's record: 10-3
AP preseason poll: 13
What you need to know: The Tigers are always a threat in the SEC, but this year's squad will look a lot different than the 2013 version after nine players were selected in the 2014 NFL Draft. What the Tigers do have is arguably college football's most exciting freshman in Leonard Fournette. Head coach Les Miles likened Fournette to Michael Jordan, leading to some big expectations for the running back this year.
What you probably didn't know: Les Miles doesn't just coach the Tigers, he lives that Tiger lifestyle. That's why when Miles went to visit LSU's living tiger mascot "Mike", the huge bengal tiger immediately swam over to Miles for a friendly greeting. The interaction earned Miles the new nickname "the tiger whisperer."
Potential upset: LSU will face the conference's other Tigers, Auburn on the road Oct. 4 and then a week later will travel to Florida. LSU only beat the Gators 17-6 at home last season, and coming off of an intense clash against Aurbun, may not have an easy time handling Florida.
The Darkhorses
Ole Miss
Last year's record: 8-5
AP preseason poll: 18
Why they could contend: The Rebels were a difficult opponent last season, earning victories over Texas, LSU and Vanderbilt, while losing close ones against Auburn, Texas A&M and Mississippi State. Bo Wallace returns at quarterback as does most of the defense, providing plenty of leadership going into 2014.
Why they won't contend: Ole Miss has talented players on both sides of the ball, but its biggest weakness looks to be on the offensive line. The Rebels lost three starters from last season and if Wallace doesn't have time in the pocket, turnovers could be an issue. Add in a difficult schedule and it will be tough to stay with the conference's elite
Texas A&M
Last year's record: 9-4
AP preseason poll: 21
Why they could contend: The Aggies have gone 20-6 in two seasons since making the move to the SEC, with head coach Kevin Sumlin bringing better results than most observers expected. The offense should continue to be among the best in the conference and new quarterback Kenny Hill was among the best QBs in the nation in the 2013 recruiting class.
Why they won't contend: Texas A&M lost three key players to the NFL Draft (all first-round picks) including quarterback Johnny Manziel, so this is likely to be a transition season. The Aggies also end the regular season with five of six games against teams ranked in the preseason Top 25, so if they don't get off to a very good start it could be a long season in College Station.
Missouri
Last year's record: 12-2
AP preseason poll: 24
Why they could contend: Like Texas A&M, Missouri was expected to struggle during it's transition to the SEC and while that proved true in 2012 when the Tigers went 5-7, they rebounded last year with a 12-2 record and an appearance in the SEC championship game. Maty Mauk looked very good during his stint filling in for the injured James Franklin last season and now Mauk gets his chance to lead the team.
Why they won't contend: The Tigers offense will look drastically different this year after losing their leading passer, rusher and three top receivers from a season ago. The defense also took a significant hit, as Kony Ealy and Michael Sam - who combined for 20 ½ sacks last season - are now plying their trade in the NFL. Missouri shouldn't fall to pieces this year, but a repeat atop the SEC East standings seems very unlikely.
The Surprises
Mississippi State
Last year's record: 7-6
The Bulldogs have arguably the SEC's best quarterback in Dak Prescott. The dual-threat QB was named third-team All-SEC in the preseason by the conference's coaches and he has the ability to change a game in an instant with either his legs or his arm. We covered the reasons to watch out for Mississippi State this year earlier in the month, as the Bulldogs are built to shock some people in the SEC in 2014.
Florida
Last year's record: 4-8
The Gators 2013 season was a disaster, there's no mistaking that fact. Injuries were a huge factor in the disappointing year and Florida enters 2014 relatively healthy and ready to rebound. Running back Kelvin Taylor took on an increased work load as the season wore on (and injuries piled up) and he, along with the now healthy Jeff Driskel, should give Florida a much improved offense this season.
The Disappointments
Kentucky
Last year's record: 2-10
It's kind of hard not to feel bad for Kentucky. Sure, it dominates the conference when it comes to basketball, but in football the Wildcats have struggled to say the least. Kentucky has gone 4-20 over the last two seasons including 16 consecutive losses in the SEC. The Wildcats could end that streak this year, but any more than one or two wins in conference would be a huge surprise.
Arkansas
Last year's record: 3-9
Last year was the Razorbacks first under new head coach Bret Bielema and while the team should have a better understanding of his system this year, their schedule makes it hard to envision much better results. Arkansas has seven games against teams ranked in the preseason Top 25 and road games against Texas Tech and Mississippi State will also prove very difficult.
The Leftovers
Vanderbilt
Last year's record: 9-4
The Commodores have had their best two seasons in the last 100 years in 2012 and 2013, but they enter this year with Derek Mason taking over at head coach with James Franklin leaving for Penn State. That success will actually make Mason's transition more difficult and Vandy will likely be fighting just to be bowl eligible come the end of the season.
Tennessee
Last year's record: 5-7
The Volunteers have struggled to find their way since getting rid of head coach Phillip Fulmer. Tennessee has just one winning season in five years since letting go of the longtime coach and that came with a 7-6 record in Lane Kiffin's only season in Knoxville. The Volunteers enter 2014 with a very young team and are likely a season or two away from being able to compete with the big boys.