Alabama stands alone in SEC
No reason to think any team has what it takes to knock Tide from throne
The Southeastern Conference was the best conference in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Now it’s not. The league has come to embody the insult it once heaped in the direction of its Power Five foes: The SEC has one great team. One, and only one.
No team other than Alabama has finished a season with fewer than three losses since 2013. No team other than Alabama won more than nine games in 2016. Over the last three years, the Crimson Tide have five fewer losses in league play, at 22-2, than the next-closest competitor, Florida. During the last half-decade, Alabama’s 36-4 conference record is miles beyond the next best on the list — Georgia and Florida at 27-13.
Those are simple numbers to sum up the league’s plummet from its stratospheric heights. But you should also trust your eyes. The Crimson Tide are the Roman army on the march. The rest of the SEC are the anonymous soldiers from Commando. The gap is as wide as you’ve imagined.
I don’t say this to demean the non-Tide section of the SEC but in praise of Alabama. The machine hasn’t just beat teams; it has defeated an entire conference. And it shows no signs of letting up.
So don’t begrudge the hasbeens and also-rans of the SEC for living in the past. What, they should live in the present? Don’t remind Auburn and LSU that they are a combined 25-23 in SEC action since the start of the 2014 season. Don’t tell Tennessee that it has been unable to win even the participation trophy that is the SEC East Division despite the relative swoons suffered by Florida and Georgia.
There’s one great team in the SEC. That team is pretty good. Historically good. Tell-your-grandkids good. Alabama has earned every ounce of praise heaped in its direction. It’s mediocrity everywhere else.
BEST UNITS
Quarterback: Alabama. There is reason to pay close attention to Auburn’s Jarrett Stidham, but Jalen Hurts’ experience and strong start to his college career help give the Tide the edge. Running back: Alabama. Waves upon waves upon waves of depth, starting with Bo Scarbrough — though Georgia’s duo of Nick Chubb and Sony Michel also is solid. Wide receivers and tight ends: Alabama. Less proven than a year ago but still better than the rest of the SEC.
Offensive line: Alabama. The Tide have located their next star in sophomore Jonah Williams. Next they need to find an answer at right tackle.
Defensive line: Alabama. Continuing a recent tradition.
Linebacker: Alabama. There’s no doubt that Alabama’s going to take a step back on the second level without Rueben Foster, Ryan Anderson and Tim Williams — but this is still the SEC’s best linebacker crew. Secondary: Alabama. This is getting repetitive. Maybe I can put Florida instead? But that wouldn’t be true. Special teams: Florida. Finally, someone other than the Tide. The Gators’ kicking game is very strong.
RANKING THE STARTING QUARTERBACKS
1. Jalen Hurts, Alabama. I think Hurts’ game will really benefit from the Tide’s move from Lane Kiffin to former NFL assistant Brian Daboll at offensive coordinator. 2. Jarrett Stidham, Auburn.
He’s a perfect fit for what Gus Malzahn wants from the position, but let’s remember that Stidham made just three starts during his brief stint at Baylor. 3. Nick Fitzgerald, Missis
sippi State. If impossible to truly gauge, I think Fitzgerald might be the most underrated quarterback in the FBS.
The 4. offensiveAustin Allen,front should Arkansas.do a better job protecting Allen, who has obvious all-conference ability, but the Razorbacks’ lack of options at receiver could mean trouble for the offense.
5. Jacob Eason, Georgia. Eason will take a nice step forward in 2017 but won’t have his comingout party until his junior year.
6. Jake Bentley, South Caro
lina. The Gamecocks have wisely opted to build an offense — if not the entire program — around the talented sophomore.
7. Drew Lock, Missouri.
Based on his growth between his freshman and sophomore seasons, Lock should reach his potential at Missouri. 8. Shea Patterson, Missis
sippi. The five-star recruit has the tools to be a star in the SEC.
9. Danny Etling, LSU. You can love Ed Orgeron’s hire of Matt Canada but still wonder about the health of LSU’s passing game. 10. Malik Zaire, Florida.
This is guesswork, since the Gators have three options for the starting spot, but it’s logical to think that Jim McElwain wouldn’t bring in the Notre Dame graduate transfer to hold a
clipboard.11. Stephen Johnson, Kentucky. Johnson should be getting more credit for leading the Wildcats to a bowl game last season. But can he deliver with more consistency as a passer? 12. Kyle Shurmur, Vander
bilt. The light might have turned on for Shurmur during the final four games of the 2016 regular season.
13. Quinten Dormady, Ten
nessee. Or Jarrett Guarantano. Both will play in 2017.
14. Nick Starkel, Texas
A&M. Even if Starkel gets the nod for the opener against UCLA — A&M hasn’t made the call — he’ll have to perform to keep freshman Kellen Mond off the field. GAMES OF THE YEAR Alabama vs. Florida State
(in Atlanta), Saturday. One of the most anticipated openers in recent history, if not beyond that.
LSU vs. Brigham Young (in
Houston), Saturday. LSU shouldn’t lose, but it will be interesting to see how the offense responds in its first game under Canada. Texas A&M at UCLA, Sun
day. A loss at UCLA in the opener
would not be good for Kevin Sumlin’s job security. TCU at Arkansas, Sept. 9.
This is an intriguing matchup. If TCU is one of the three best teams in the Big 12, the Horned Frogs should win at Arkansas. Auburn at Clemson, Sept. 9.
A win for Auburn likely would put the Tigers on a clear trajectory for a New Year’s Six bowl. LSU at Florida, Oct. 7. If not meaningful for the Playoff, this would have an impact on the SEC’s postseason lineup.
Tennessee at Alabama, Oct. 21. The Volunteers’ game plan for victory is … ?
LSU at Alabama, Nov. 4. The Tide look to push their winning streak in the series to seven games. Georgia at Auburn, Nov. 11.
Auburn has dropped three in a row and nine of 11 to the Bulldogs, with perhaps none more painful than last year’s 13-7 setback. Alabama at Auburn, Nov. 25. If Stidham is as good as advertised, this Auburn offense could put a scare in the Tide.
Mississippi at Mississippi State, Nov. 23. This one is going to be so much fun, no matter what the records are.