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Come Sept. 1, your TV-watching schedule is going to be packed for four months. Tennessee kicks off the season that Thursday night, and every ensuing Saturday through the first weekend in December will be filled with football, football and more football.
Which teams are going to be worthy of your valuable TV time? To help you decide that with the kickoff of the season less than three months away, we present our Preseason Watchability Rankings.
Nothing scientific was used to determine these rankings, and they aren’t necessarily an indication of how the SEC season is going to play out, but bad teams are usually unwatchable and good ones are typically fun to follow.
Several factors have been considered here, including how good – or bad – teams will be, how exciting/close the games will be and how much individual talent every team has that makes them worth watching.
If they’re playing your team
14. Vanderbilt
13. Missouri
12. Kentucky
11. Mississippi State
It’s hard to envision Vanderbilt being better than it was last year, when it finished 4-8 overall and 2-6 in the SEC. But under Derek Mason’s direction once again, the defense should be solid, and running back Ralph Webb is looking to build on a good 2015 season … The theme for Missouri this year is transition. Defensive coordinator Barry Odom takes over for Gary Pinkel as head coach, and new offensive coordinator Josh Heupel is his most important hire so far. The defense should remain strong, but we can’t get excited about the Tigers until we learn more about their offense, which was the SEC’s worst last season … The arrival of new co-offensive coordinators Eddie Gran and Darin Hinshaw from Cincinnati should boost Kentucky on that side of the ball, but the Wildcats have lost a lot on defense. However, a home slate that includes games against South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State might help Mark Stoops finally secure an ever-elusive bowl berth … With Dak Prescott moving on to the NFL, a rebuild is underway at Mississippi State. All Dan Mullen has to do is find a quarterback to replace arguably the greatest player in school history, while revamping his offense and keeping his fingers crossed that new defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon finds his way.
Could be fun
10. South Carolina
9. Arkansas
8. Texas A&M
It still feels weird not to have Steve Spurrier and his visor around in Columbia, but at the very least, the arrival of Will Muschamp should make things interesting at South Carolina. The Gamecocks’ lack of depth and talent will definitely test Muschamp’s patience, so we’ll see how the combustible coach handles what could be a trying season … Speaking of trying seasons, Bret Bielema could also have one with Arkansas, especially since his Razorbacks have lost a plethora of players on offense. Austin Allen won’t have the easiest time replacing his older brother Brandon at quarterback, but an experienced receiving corps led by Keon Hatcher and fellow seniors Drew Morgan, Dominique Reed and Cody Hollister should definitely help him … Kevin Sumlin and Texas A&M go into the season with some big questions, including can Oklahoma transfer Trevor Knight put the offense on his shoulders and stay in College Station for a full season while doing so? Plus, how well will new offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone and Sumlin work together? Those questions aside, coordinator John Chavis has definitely improved the Aggies’ defense, which should get another great year from prolific pass-rusher Myles Garrett.
Worth your while
7. Florida
6. Auburn
5. Georgia
4. Ole Miss
We want to see what Jim McElwain can do for an encore at Florida, especially since the Gators have seemingly lacked a decent starting QB since Tim Tebow brought glory to Gainesville nearly a decade ago. The fate of Florida’s offense will rest in the hands of a transfer, either Luke Del Rio or Austin Appleby. Oh well. At least the Gators’ defense should be good again … For better or worse, Gus Malzahn’s job status will be a recurring storyline at Auburn, which begins and ends with the QB he entrusts with his offense. Will it be one of his incumbents, Jeremy Johnson or Sean White? Or will a newcomer, John Franklin III or Woody Barrett, take the ball and run with it? You can almost feel the tension on The Plains … Meanwhile, the feelings at Georgia are completely different, and it should be an exciting year in Athens. The Bulldogs go into the season with questions, but for the most part, they are positive ones. Is Nick Chubb recovering as well as we think he is? How soon will Jacob Eason be the starting QB? And will former Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart be as good as a head coach? Ole Miss goes into 2016 with eyes fixated on two key figures. Chad Kelly, the SEC’s top returning QB, has another chance to rewrite the Rebels’ record books, but we also want to see how Hugh Freeze handles the loss of 11 scholarships for recruiting violations that occurred under his watch.
Must-watch TV
3. Tennessee
2. LSU
1. Alabama
There’s no shortage of preseason hype for Tennessee, but the Volunteers have to prove they can live up to it. After a tumultuous offseason on campus, the Vols will also have to find a way to keep their focus on the field. They have the talent to win their first SEC East title since 2007, but will another team — possibly Georgia — stand in their way? … Meanwhile, storylines abound in Baton Rouge, where the Mad Catter, actually the Mad Hatter — aka Les Miles — will find out how many coaching lives he has left at LSU. Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and QB Brandon Harris return, so the offense remains a work in progress. On defense, new coordinator Dave Aranda brings a track record of success with him from Wisconsin, but how will it translate in the SEC? Last but certainly not least, will Leonard Fournette bring home the Heisman this year? Barring injuries, count on at least 2,000 rushing yards and a trip to the Downtown Athletic Club … Now we know why Nick Saban never gets to truly enjoy his national championships at Alabama. Despite being loaded with talent, the Crimson Tide has to replace four important pieces from last season: Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry, SEC Defensive Player of the Year Reggie Ragland, center and Rimington Trophy winner Ryan Kelly and national title-winning QB Jacob Coker. Plus, even though the Saban-Lane Kiffin connection has worked so far, you get the sense that Alabama’s offensive coordinator is still pining for a head coaching job, so we’ll see how long this relationship lasts. In other words, keep your remote control handy. There are always plenty of reasons to watch the SEC.
Stan Chrapowicki is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football, Alabama and Auburn.
