The SEC is one of two conferences to benefit from the chaos that was the 2024 offseason reallignment. Adding Texas and Oklahoma from the Big-XII — two top twenty five teams — adds more depth to the bottleneck that is the top of the SEC, as six teams project inside the top fifteen as it stands in June. The upper tier, complete of Georgia, Alabama, Ole Miss, Missouri, and now Texas, all look to contend for both the conference title and a bid in the twelve team College Football Playoff.
The 2024 SEC Preview Capsule;
A change of tides and the rise of conference supremacy.
1. Georgia, 12-0 (8-0)
Bulldogs at a Glance:
Seventeen starters return from last season’s 13-1 team, including quarterback Carson Beck and defensive anchor — and All-American — Malaki Starks. Nine offensive starters return, with the two vacancies being filled by Trevor Etienne at runningback and Jared Wilson at center, two capable athletes and potential All-Americans in their own right. The defense, while admittedly having problems in the secondary, sports one of the best front sevens in the nation, headed by defensive end Mykel Williams, nose-tackle Nazir Stackhouse, and linebacker Smael Mondon Jr.. The schedule for Georgia is more challenging than it has been the last three years, with road games at Alabama, Texas, and Ole Miss in a six week span, not to mention a week one matchup against Clemson in Atlanta. Georgia is coached by the sport’s best in Kirby Smart, so the Dawgs will be competitive in any game, no matter the environment or team they matchup against. Look for Georgia to match their prolific 2022 season in 2024, as I project them to go 12-0 and win the SEC.
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QB Carson Beck, RB Trevor Etienne, WR Dominic Lovett, WR Dillon Bell III, WR Arian Smith, WR Rara Thomas, TE Oscar Delp, TE Benjamin Yurosek, T Earnest Greene III, G Tate Ratledge, T Xavier Truss, ED Mykel Williams, NT Nazir Stackhouse, LB Smael Mondon Jr., CB Daylen Everette, S Malaki Starks
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2. Texas, 11-1 (7-1)
Longhorns at a Glance:
The fear of Texas not being as explosive on offense in 2024 as they were in 2023 was dispelled after Sark brought in copious amounts of weapons for quarterback Quinn Ewers to utilize. Isaiah Bond (ALA), Silas Bolden (OREST), Amari Niblack (ALA), and returning receivers Johntay Cook II and Matthew Golden give Ewers plenty of mouthes to feed. Behind one of the nation’s best offensive lines, anchored by potential first overall pick Kelvin Banks Jr., the Longhorns also possess one of the most lethal run games in America, lead by returnees CJ Baxter and Jaydon Blue. The defense returns seven starters, and welcomes transfers Andrew Makuba at safety and Jay’Vion Cole at corner to shore up a secondary that suffered the most turnover. Edge-setters Ethan Burke and Barryn Sorrell are elite run defenders, and Alfred Collins looks to carry on the legacy of big T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy II up front in 2024. The bottom line; this Texas team is prepared to run the gauntlet of an SEC schedule, and by avoiding Alabama, Ole Miss, and Missouri, the Longhorns are set up favorably to win in 2024.
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QB Quinn Ewers, RB CJ Baxter, RB Jaydon Blue, WR Isaiah Bond, WR Ryan Wingo, WR Johntay Cook II, WR Silas Bolden, TE Gunnar Helm, T Kelvin Banks Jr., C Jake Majors, T Cameron Williams, ED Ethan Burke, NT Alfred Collins, LB Anthony Hill Jr., LB Jahdae Barron, S Andrew Makuba
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3. Alabama, 11-1 (7-1)
Crimson Tide at a Glance:
After the sudden retirement of Nick Saban this January, the Tide poached Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer from Seattle in less than 48 hours. DeBoer, the catalyst of some of the best statistical offenses ever during his stints at Fresno State and Washington, now gets to gameplan with Jalen Milroe at quarterback, who Kirby Smart describes as a “bigger, more physical version of Lamar Jackson.” Milroe is not alone, much like Jackson was at Louisville, as he is protected by Proctor, Booker, and Brailsford up front, and will utilize Justice Haynes and Jam Miller from the backfield as new wide receivers get used to the DeBoer system. Luckily, the defense, which is lead by outstanding linebacker Deontae Lawson, experienced little turnover up front, and replaces vacancies on the back end with five stars and veteran players. The schedule also works out favorably, with, aside from a game against the Dawgs, sees Tennessee and LSU as the two most challenging opponents.
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QB Jalen Milroe, RB Justice Haynes, WR Koby Prentice, T Kaydn Proctor, G Tyler Booker, C Parker Brailsford, DT Tim Keenan III, LB Deonte Lawson, Lb Jihaad Campbell, CB Domani Jackson
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4. Ole Miss, 11-1 (7-1)
Rebels at a Glance:
Declared the penultimate winners of the 2024 portal cycle, the Rebel gear up for the fall with aspirations of qualifying for the new twelve team Playoff. Fourteen returning starters bring depth, experience, and talent, which is nowhere more evident than on the defensive line, with new signees Walter Nolen and Princley Umanmielen fortifying one of Ole Miss’s weakest spots in 2023; the run defense. Quarterback Jaxson Dart returns for year three in the blue and red, and with a trio of capable wide receivers around him in Tre Harris, Juice Wells, and Jordan Watkins. The secondary returns half of its starters, the linebacking room, while inexperienced, possesses immense talent, and the offensive line returns four of five starters. The question with the Rebels, as it always is with Lane Kiffin lead teams, remains the same in 2024; can they win the rivalry games? An early test at LSU will answer that question, and games against Georgia and at Florida will test the Rebels fortitude later in the season.
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QB Jaxson Dart, RB Ulysses Bentley IV, RB Henry Parish Jr., WR Tre Harris, WR Juice Wells, WR Jordan Hawkins, G Nate Kelpo, ED Jared Ivey, DT Walter Nolen, ED Princley Umanmielen, LB Chris Paul Jr., S Trey Washington
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5. Missouri, 10-2 (6-2)
Tigers at a Glance:
Gone is All-American Cody Schrader at runningback, replaced by the two best runningbacks from the Sun Belt Conference in Nate Noel and Marcus Carroll. Mizzou’s potent running game from 2023 will be just as lethal with the additions of Kayden Green at left tackle, and the return of three offensive line starters. Quarterback Brady Cook will be throwing to one of the nation’s best wide receiver rooms, headlined by Luther Burden III and Theo Wease Jr.. The defense underwent king-sized changes during the offseason, with six starters leaving (four for the NFL), and defensive coordinator Blake Baker departing for Death Valley. Returning, however, are edge rushers Johnny Walker Jr. and Darris Smith, two elite athletes and smart players. Do-it-all secondary member Daylan Carnell is a stud on the backend, and the Tigers, who played excellent defense in 2023, will run the same scheme under new defensive coordinator Corey Batoon. I do believe that the Tigers fall victim to a trap game against Auburn, keeping their record at 10-2, similar to 2023’s outing.
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QB Brady Cook, RB Marcus Carroll, RB Nate Noel, WR Luther Burden III, WR Theo Wease Jr., T Kayden Green, C Connor Tollison, T Armand Membou, ED Johnny Walker Jr., ED Darris Smith, S Dylan Carnell, S Joseph Charleston
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6. Tennessee, 9-3 (6-2)
Volunteers at a Glance:
Nico Iamaleava takes the reigns on Rocky Top as the Volunteers gear up for a Playoff push behind a new fangled offense and retooled defense. Perennial superstar and pass-rush specialist James Pearce Jr. leads a defense that ranked inside the top half of the SEC in 2023, and behind him are nine defensive linemen that can see reasonable snaps in 2024. The secondary, which saw eleven transfer-outs this past offseason, is patched up with transfer-ins to pair with Turrentine and Gibson. The offense, behind an offensive line with chemistry and experience (who also just added former five star tackle Lance Heard), is finally healthy, with starting receivers Squirrel White and Bru McCoy returning off injuries. Out of the backfield, Dylan Sampson is a legitmate threat, and Iamaleava, while still young, looked poised against defensive-minded Iowa last season. Still, this Tennessee team will take some time to gel, which is why I predict NC State (an older, more experienced team) to win in an early season clash in Charolette.
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QB Nico Iamaleava, RB Dylan Sampson, RB Cam Seldon, WR Squirrel White, WR Bru McCoy, WR Chris Brazzell, T Lance Heard, C Cooper Mays, ED James Pearce Jr., DT Omari Thomas, CB Rickey Gibson III
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7. LSU, 9-3 (5-3)
Tigers at a Glance:
LSU graduates a Heisman Trophy winner and replaces him with a junior who threw for nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns in his one start last season. Garret Nussmeier has waited his turn in Death Valley, opting to stay last season and learn from Jayden Daniels instead of transferring out and starting somewhere else. He now finds himself in an auspicious situation behind the best tackle duo in the country and two receivers vying for the Biletnikoff in 2024 in CJ Daniels and Kyren Lacy. While the running game remains unproven, the strength of the offensive line is sure to help. The real questions arise when discussing the defense, lead now by one of the hottest rising coordinators in CFB, Blake Baker. Linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. and safety Major Burns are the crown jewels of a defense that ranked 105th in 2023, the prime reason as to why the Tigers finished with three loses. As is frequent in Death Valley, the Tigers find themselves with a legitimate offense but an unproven and new-faced defense, which is sure to produce some growing pains.
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QB Garrett Nussmeier, WR Kyren Lacy, WR CJ Daniels, T Will Campbell, T Emery Jones Jr., ED Sav’ion Jones, LB Greg Penn III, LB Harold Perkins Jr., S Major Burns
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8. Florida, 6-6 (4-4)
Gators at a Glance:
Don’t let the record prediction fool you, much like Georgia Tech in the ACC, Florida is the victim of the most brutal schedule in all of CFB, and what is widely regarded as the toughest five game stretch in CFB history. There are loads of talent on this roster stretching from one end to the other, including star-studded wide receiver Eugene Wilson III and center Jake Slaughter, potential first round pick Jason Marshall Jr. at cornerback, and defensive leader Shemar Jones at linebacker. The run game is proven behind Montrell Johnson Jr. and three returning starters on the offensive line, and quarterback Graham Mertz is a veteran presence under center. Still, a stretch of Georgia, Texas, LSU, Ole Miss, and FSU will drain this Florida team both physically and emotionally. Maybe a win or two is possible (I project a win against LSU), but escaping this season with a winning record may be enough for Billy Napier to keep his job in the Swamp.
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QB Graham Mertz, RB Montrell Johnson Jr., WR Eugene Wilson III, T Austin Barber, C Jake Slaugther, DT Caleb Banks, LB Shemar Jones, CB Jason Marshall Jr., S Jordan Castell
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9. Texas A&M, 7-5 (4-4)
Aggies at a Glance:
Worries about the first year head coach hangover and health concerns around key positions lead me to lean on the side of caution with the Aggies in 2024. Mike Elko is incontestably a great coach, as he has turned around every program he has been at, but migrating from the ACC to the SEC will spur some growing pains in year one. Quarterback Connor Weigman is a difference maker when healthy, with an emphasis on the “when healthy” clause; the sophomore missed more than half the 2023 season with a foot injury. There is not a whole lot of proven talent on the offense, as Evan Stewart transfers out to Eugene, leaving Noah Thomas and Jahdae Walker as the outside options. The offensive line is experienced on one side and brand new on the other, and the defense returns just four starters. Edge Nick Scourton is a presence on the edge and will most likely be a leader on the defense along with NT Shemar Turner.
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QB Connor Weigman, RB Amari Daniels, T Trey Zuhn III, ED Nick Scourton, DT Shemar Turner, LB Scooby Williams
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10. Auburn, 8-4 (4-4)
Tigers at a Glance:
When the outcome of the season hinges on the quarterback developing around high-value weapons and an experienced offensive line, things tend to go well. Payton Thorne enters year two in Dixieland after transferring from East Lansing looking to progress more as a passer in Hugh Freeze’s second year as head coach. The Tigers enter 2024 with expectations of a bowl game, as Freeze brings in a top five recruiting class including the highly coveted Cam Coleman at wideout. Runningback Jarquez Hunter is tough between the tackles, and transfer WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith buffs the Tiger offense even more. The defense, returning a little over 50% production from last season, will look to anchor down and crawl back inside the national top thirty after a hiatus last season. I am a sneaky fan of Auburn, despite their tenth place projected finish, as an 8-4 record will sport them well in a bowl game, with losses coming only to teams that rival their roster or have a better overall team than the Tigers.
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RB Jarquez Hunter, WR Cam Coleman, WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WR Robert Lewis, TE Rivaldo Fairweather, C Connor Lew, ED Keldric Faulk, LB Eugene Asante, S Jerrin Thompson
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11. Kentucky, 6-6 (3-5)
Wildcats at a Glance:
The entirety of a defense that ranked 17th in America last season returns aside from two NFL departures. Those spots have since been plugged by Georgia transfer Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Michigan transfer DJ Waller Jr.. Fellow Georgia transfer, Brock Vandagriff, slides in at quarterback, and OSU runningback Chip Trayanum finally gets a chance to be a feature back. The bottom line; there is talent on this Kentucky roster to pair with the coaching of Mark Stoops. Its unfortunate that the schedule includes four of the top six projected SEC teams, as the Wildcats, while talented, have never played together. Games at Ole Miss, Florida, Tennessee, and Texas are tough, and the rivalry game against Louisville favors the Cardinals in 2024. The Wildcats are rising, and with Vandagriff coming back next season, Kentucky may be in the Playoff conversation in 2025.
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QB Brock Vandagriff, RB Chip Trayanum, WR Darrion Brown, WR Dane Key, DT Deone Walker, LB JJ Weaver, LB D’Eryk Jackson, LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson, CB Maxwell Harriston
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12. Oklahoma, 5-7 (1-7)
Sooners at a Glance:
Since when was it ever the Oklahoma defense that was the stabilizing presence in Norman? Danny Stutsman returns to lead one of the most underrated defenses in the SEC along with Billy Bowman Jr., Woodi Washington, and Ethan Downs. The unit ranked 65th nationally last seasons and returns seven starters and over 60% production. The offense will now be piloted by Jackson Arnold, who takes over for veteran Dillon Gabriel. Arnold threw for more interceptions than touchdowns in his one start last season (a loss to Arizona) but his talent warrants optimism, especially with the talent around him. The wide receiver room returns three proven starters and adds Purdue transfer Deion Burks, leaving Nic Anderson, Jalil Farooq, and Andrel Anthony as the WR corps. Why is this team 5-7 then? Look no further than the trenches. The Sooners return no offensive linemen, and rely on four transfers and one sophomore to navigate year one in the SEC. On defense, no linemen return aside from Downs, leaving a lot of room for concern for the Sooners’ ability to control the line of scrimmage.
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QB Jackson Arnold, RB Gavin Sawchuck, RB Taylor Tatum, WR Jalil Farooq, WR Nic Anderson, WR Andrel Anthony, WR Deion Burks, DT Damonic Williams, LB Danny Stutsman, CB Woodi Washington, S Billy Bowman Jr.
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13. South Carolina, 4-8 (1-7)
Gamecocks at a Glance:
This, in my opinion, marks the end of the competitive SEC teams in 2024. The Gamecocks are not built to contend in a division-less SEC, with only one skill position starter returning in 2024 and almost none of the defensive front. The offensive line is the most continuous group on the team, with four returning starters, and the secondary is experienced. But aside from that, there has been a lot of turnover for Shane Beamer in 2024. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers will be looked upon to lead a Gamecock team returning just two receivers with double digit catches, and with first half games at Kentucky, Alabama, and Oklahoma, South Carolina will need an unproven WR room to develop quickly. The defense, lead by standout linebacker Debo Williams, finished 87th last season, and returns just two front seven starters. I find more questions than answers when analyzing the Gamecocks roster, and ultimately decided to air on the side of caution.
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QB LaNorris Sellers, RB Raheim Sanders, WR Gage Larvadin, WR Nyck Harbor, C Vershon Lee, ED Gilber Edmond, LB Debo Williams, CB Jalen Kilgore, S Nick Emmanwori
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14. Arkansas, 4-8 (1-7)
Razorbacks at a Glance:
Sam Pittman will more than likely be fired if the Hogs start out with a .500 record or less through the first six games. Well, sorry Sam. this Arkansas team returns less than 40% production on both sides of the ball, and is relying on a Mountain West transfer at quarterback to lead them in the SEC in 2024. Aside from Armstrong and Hasz, Taylen Green has no proven options, and the offensive line is being rebuilt after being stripped this offseason. On defense, five starters return, which does include leader Landon Jackson, yet, aside from the safeties and nose tackles, every other member of the defense is brand new. Early games at Oklahoma State and Auburn will be tough pills to swallow for the Hogs, and mid-season tests against TAMU, Tennessee, and LSU are daunting. Pittman has failed to retool the offense with legitimate talent, and may leave Arkansas worse than he found it, which is a shame, as I was a huge fan of Arkansas after a promising 2021.
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QB Taylen Green, WR Andrew Armstrong, TE Luke Hasz, T Fernando Carmona, T Josh Braun, ED Landon Jackson, DT Eric Gregory, CB Doneiko Slaughter, S Hudson Clark
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15. Mississippi State, 4-8 (0-8)
Bulldogs at a Glance:
Quarterback Blake Shapen transfers from Baylor and the Bulldogs welcome in Jeff Lebby from Oklahoma to lead the charge in 2024. Returning starters are meager, with just three returning, including the punter. The offense will need to be developed and retooled with Lebby’s guys over time, and the defense may take years to get to full strength. A rather daunting schedule that includes six top eight projected teams in the SEC will be too much for Lebby, in his first year as a head coach, to overcome. Look for Mississippi State to trail blaze a new identity in 2024.
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WR Kelly Akharaiyi, T Makylan Pounders, CB Brice Pullock
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16. Vanderbilt, 3-9 (0-8)
Commodores at a Glance:
Oh hapless Vanderbilt, perhaps the rebuilds by the masses in EA CFB 25 will inspire a culture shock in Nashville. Nine starters return to a team that won two games last season, none of which were Power wins. Transfer Diego Pavia moves from NMSU, where the dual threat carved up CUSA defenses. This is no longer the CUSA. The Commodores must rely on the defense to have a pulse in 2024, lead by returnees CJ Taylor and Aaneas DiCosmo.
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QB Diego Pavia, RB Sedric Alexander, WR Quincy Skinner Jr., S CJ Taylor
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