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The SEC West is shaping up to be just as brutal in 2015 as it was in 2014, when all seven teams made a bowl game. Who should we consider a contender, and who is a pretender?
Alabama
The Crimson Tide are going through as much turnover this offseason as in any year under Nick Saban. A new quarterback, three new members of the offensive line, a new starting running back and three new starting receivers on offense, plus the task of replacing a few key veterans on defense. Still, this is Alabama we’re talking about, a team with more talent than anyone in the nation and one of the best coaching staffs around to match. Until proven otherwise, Alabama is in the picture.
Verdict: Contender
Arkansas
The Razorbacks took a major leap forward at the end of last year, holding their last four opponents to 28 points total. That defense should be just as good in 2015, and the running game will be even better. But can a one-dimensional team win in the SEC, other than a few upsets? Arkansas still has no downfield passing game to speak of unless a receiver emerges from nowhere or Brandon Allen becomes one of the SEC’s best passers, making their path a lot more difficult.
Verdict: Pretender
Auburn
There might be no team in the SEC with higher expectations than these Tigers. After hiring Will Muschamp to run the defense, that side of the ball should rebound from it’s collapse in the second half of last season. There’s already talk that Jeremy Johnson could be a Heisman contender. Is there any reason to doubt that this will be a team with a potent offense and a much-improved defense? Not in our book.
Verdict: Contender
LSU
This set of Tigers has one of the most talented rosters in the country if you take the quarterback out of the equation. Unfortunately, getting strong play from that position is necessary to be a real contender in the West. Will LSU be able to get that after last year’s offensive abomination? After Anthony Jennings’ arrest, the job should be sophomore Brandon Harris’ to lose. He has all the talent in the world, and just needs to put it together to make this team a real contender.
Verdict: Pretender (until Harris proves otherwise)
Mississippi State
The Bulldogs came out of nowhere to win 10 games and come within a game of taking home the West title. Can they do it again in 2015? Dak Prescott is back, but the defense lost a big chunk of its veteran talent, as did the offensive line. MSU has a tough road back to 10 wins, and there will be no shortage of stiff competition in the West. Prescott will keep this team bowl eligible, but expecting much more than that might be too much.
Verdict: Pretender
Ole Miss
The Rebels are going to have one of the best defenses in the nation, and that alone will keep them in every game they play and likely push them close to 10-win territory. Like so many other teams in the SEC, whether or not the Rebels actually get there will come down to an undecided quarterback position. Whether it’s Chad Kelly or Ryan Buchanan, Ole Miss has more than enough top-end talent to beat anyone in the conference.
Verdict: Contender
Texas A&M
With even an average defense last year, the Aggies would have been pretty scary. They should be a lot closer to mediocre on D with John Chavis in town to help Myles Garrett unleash terror on the conference. Texas A&M returns just about everyone in its passing game, and while the offensive line is being rebuilt, the Aggies hired a good coach to do it in Dave Christensen. A&M is going to score on anyone and everyone, and if the defense can even slow down some other SEC contenders, let alone stop them, this is going to be a difficult team to knock off.
Verdict: Contender
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
