The premiere league in college football has to be the SEC. Even before adding two college football powerhouses to the fold, this conference is the hardest conference to play in. The teams are tough from top to bottom and they compete night in and night out. With that being said here is my predictions for the 2024 SEC season.
The Big Acquisitions
Oklahoma Sooners (7-5)
The Sooners are looking to return to their dominant ways. However, with the struggles they faced last year, questions are starting to emerge. This offense boasts a rising star in Jackson Arnold and a talented group of receivers. Their defense has always been the issue, though. Oklahoma is bringing back many key players from last year, including eleven of their top thirteen tacklers. The two big names are Danny Stutsman (104 tackles) and Billy Bowman Jr. (6 interceptions). Oklahoma will be bowl eligible this season, but they will struggle in SEC play.
Texas Longhorns (10-2)
This offense got a good retool thanks to the transfer portal. Texas gets another year of Quinn Ewers and they brought in some pieces offensively to help him. The Longhorns brought in Isaiah Bond (Alabama), Matthew Golden (Houston) and Silas Bolden (Oregon State) via the transfer portal. Head coach Steve Sarkisian also brings back four starters on the offensive line including first team All-Big 12 tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. This offensive unit was explosive last year, and are poised to do the same in 2024.
Defensively, the Longhorns bring back a ton of talent with their second leading tackler Anthony Hill Jr returning to play middle linebacker for Texas. Texas also added some help on the defensive line via the portal in Tiaoalii Savea at defensive tackle and Trey Moore at EDGE rusher. This was a talented group last year and they should be good enough to compete in the SEC this year.
The Don’s SEC Win Total Bets
Alabama Over 9.5 +115
This is definitely not the same dominant Alabama team we’ve seen since Nick Saban became their head coach. Now, first-year coach Kalen DeBoer is in his first season after leading Washington to the national title game just last season. I’m curious to see if Jalen Milroe takes a step forward for the Crimson Tide this season under this new offensive system. For this offense, Milroe is definitely the key to their success. However, I think that former five-star prospect Justice Haynes will be the workhorse for their backfield. If Haynes puts together a good season, it will open up opportunities for Milroe to utilize play-action effectively.
Defensively, this team is adopting a new scheme as they move to a 4-2-5, which I feel will benefit them in the long run this season. The big names on this defense are Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell, both at the linebacker position. This talented group faces three tough games on their schedule, in my opinion. If they can win one of the matchups against Georgia, at Tennessee, or at LSU, this team should easily hit their win total over.
Arkansas Over 4.5 -115
Head coach Sam Pittman is on the hot seat coming into this year we can all agree. However, this group I think is being underrated when it comes to the talent in the SEC. They bring in Taylen Green from Boise State and JaQuinden Jackson from Utah to create a solid 1-2 punch offensively. Arkansas brings in former head coach Bobby Petrino to spark this offense that could use it after last year’s lackluster performance.
Defensively, they took a huge step forward with first year defensive coordinator Travis Williams. This Hogs defense brings back some talent and added depth through the portal. Their schedule isn’t a tough one when it comes to looking at SEC schedules. They don’t have to play either Alabama or Georgia this season. The Hogs can easily win three out of their four non-conference games, then you just have to win two conference games. Where you play on the road at Auburn and Mississippi State. Those are your five wins right there, this team can steal another one and become bowl eligible. Ride the over for this Razorbacks squad.
South Carolina Over 5.5 -124
Shane Beamer has been good in his first two seasons in South Carolina. This squad this year can compete to make a bowl game. Led by redshirt freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers and running back Rocket Sanders who came from Arkansas. This offense struggled to run the football, but with these two will help the rushing attack in 2024.
Defensively, this squad is transitioning from a 3-3-5 to a 4-2-5 scheme. They have some talent, and the majority of their starters are upperclassmen, which will be beneficial. The Gamecocks can win three out of their four non-conference games, so they just need to secure three wins in conference play. Their conference road games are at Kentucky, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Vanderbilt, while their home games are against LSU, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Missouri. They have a good chance of winning two of those road games and can potentially steal a win at home against one of those four teams. I believe LaNorris Sellers is going to be a significant player for them this season and will help lead the Gamecocks back to a bowl game for the third time in four years under the Shane Beamer era.
SEC Conference Championship Pick
People are way too high on Ole Miss in my opinion. Texas isn’t going to dominate the conference like people think. Alabama should be good but they aren’t going to be dominant like they have been in the past. My pick here is Georgia +190 to win the SEC Championship Game. The Bulldogs are going to continue to dominate the SEC this season. This will be the easiest future that you hit in the 2024 college football season.