Predicting the SEC in 2017: Alabama welcomes new challenger from the East

Though it's arguably the deepest, toughest conference in college football, the SEC has been dominated by one program over the last five years.

But does that mean we can simply pencil in Alabama as champion before the season begins?

Maybe.

The SEC championship game has followed a familiar formula in recent history: A constant force out of the West and a revolving door of highly talented challengers out of the East. Florida has stepped up to answer the bell against Alabama for the last two seasons, but 2017 may present a new opponent for the reigning champions.

EAST DIVISION

All records were compiled based on predictions and cross-referenced across all Power 5 conferences.

The East division is full of teams with little separation in terms of talent, and a three-way battle for the top spot could result in a tiebreaker that will keep the drama going into the final week of the season.

Kirby Smart may only be entering his second year with Georgia, but the way in which he has been able to build his program through recruiting is similar to another dominant program he'll aim to take down. The Bulldogs have a compelling mix of talent and prospects, and 2017 could be the beginning of a long run of success.

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Florida shouldn't be expected to go gently into the night, though, as the Gators have consistently found a way to hang around the SEC title picture despite not winning since 2008. With defense not being a concern in recent years, an increase in production at quarterback may be all that stands in the way of the team earning its third consecutive division title.

Tennessee can't be overlooked, either, as this is a make-or-break year for head coach Butch Jones. The culture change has been undeniable, but finding replacements for key players like Joshua Dobbs, Cam Sutton, and Derek Barnett may take more than a season.

WEST DIVISION

Alabama has been the biggest, baddest dog in the SEC West for much of the last five years, and it seems that trend will continue in 2017. The Crimson Tide will be challenged this year, make no mistake, but the depth Nick Saban has added to his program is the standard to which other teams should aspire.

LSU will open a season for the first time with Ed Orgeron as a full-time head coach, and if how the Tigers ended last season is any indication of what's in store, Alabama's drive to a division title will be anything but smooth. Derrius Guice will step up to fill the void left by Leonard Fournette, and if Danny Etling can provide consistent production at quarterback, the Tigers should make Alabama earn every bit of a division title.

Much like Tennessee in the East division, Auburn will need to overachieve to topple those at the heart of the division race. The Tigers do have a wild card in Jarrett Stidham, whose anticipated return to college football has fans salivating. They aren't out of the race by any means, but a strong season wire to wire will be required to knock off the defending three-time conference champions.

Will Alabama maintain its stranglehold in the SEC, or will a new face of the conference emerge and wash the Crimson Tide away?

Georgia Bulldogs vs. Alabama Crimson Tide

A victory for Georgia in the SEC championship might be the most exciting Cinderella story this year's championship season would have to offer, but they would need to get it done before the proverbial clock strikes midnight, and Alabama has too much in the tank for a result like that.

Predicted SEC champion: Alabama Crimson Tide (fourth consecutive, eighth total)