SEC expert picks 2023: Most overrated and underrated teams, projected order of finish, bold predictions

rewrite this content material with complete period and stay HTML tags The SEC goes to seem significantly other 365 days from now, so imagine the 2023 season a sequence finale of varieties for the convention that says, “It Just Means More.” If prognosticators are to believed, “more” in that word may well be regarding nationwide name received by way of two-time reigning champion Georgia, which enters this season with out many of the starters that led it to glory the final couple of years however with masses of hype to doubtlessly change into the primary group to three-peat within the cord carrier technology.Whether the Bulldogs move wire-to-wire and succeed within the College Football Playoff is unsure, of direction, although they’re going to definitely take pleasure in one of the weakest schedules amongst Power Five groups this season. If UGA goes to be toppled prior to it ends SEC play, it may well be Tennessee — unanimously predicted to complete 2nd within the SEC East — that will get the activity executed. Georgia avoids Alabama and LSU in regular-season play, although hopes are raised for each the Crimson Tide and Tigers regardless of each methods dealing with reputable stumbling blocks getting into the marketing campaign.Whether Florida or Texas A&M rebound from vastly disappointing seasons will likely be of important hobby. The Gators input Year 2 beneath Billy Napier with a apparently tough state of affairs at quarterback, whilst the Aggies are hoping the Jimbo Fisher-Bobby Petrino marriage someway works smartly sufficient to treatment what ails their offense. Despite trending upwards, Kentucky and South Carolina would possibly if truth be told be underrated getting into the season, whilst there’s a interest as to what Hugh Freeze will be capable of accomplish in Year 1 as he makes his go back to the SEC at Auburn.Our CBS Sports faculty soccer professionals have supplied their picks and predictions for the SEC forward of the 2023 season. Most overrated group Alabama: Bama is changing two of the primary 3 gamers decided on within the 2023 NFL Draft and each coordinators from a group that did not win the SEC West final season. Still, electorate at SEC Media Days predicted the Crimson Tide to win the department over reigning champion LSU. Alabama additionally got here in at No. 4 within the preseason AP Top 25 forward of no longer best the Tigers however groups like USC and Penn State, every of whom have fewer workforce questions to reply to than the Tide. Nick Saban is the G.O.A.T., however this intensity chart is complete of uncertainty and some distance from a lock to make the College Football Playoff. — David Cobb (Barrett Sallee, Will Backus)Texas A&M: On paper, the Aggies can compete with someone in faculty soccer. Unfortunately, soccer is not performed on paper. Texas A&M’s general protection slipped from No. 14 to No. 51 after Mike Elko left to lend a hand resurrect Duke. Quarterback Conner Weigman confirmed flashes of brilliance in his 5 appearances final season but additionally finished simply 55% of his passes as he used to be thrown into the fireplace to check out and save a depressing season. The offensive line staff is a query mark as soon as once more after a disappointing effort. Making issues worse, the Aggies’ agenda is more difficult with street journeys to Tennessee, Ole Miss, Miami and LSU. Texas A&M could have a puncher’s probability in maximum of their video games, however there may be little probability to consider the Aggies are anyplace just about competing for the SEC West, nor are they a lock to even end inside the best part of the department. — Shehan Jeyarajah (Dennis Dodd, Jerry Palm)Ole Miss: All due appreciate to the Rebels, however I determine the one reason why this group is ranked to start the 12 months is as a result of when filling out ballots, electorate get to the 20-25 vary and do not know what to do. So, they ask themselves, “which SEC team have I not ranked yet?” The Rebels started 2022 with seven wins prior to shedding 5 of their final six. After drawing Kentucky and Vanderbilt from the East final 12 months, the Rebels get a street sport in opposition to Georgia this 12 months. The nonconference agenda additionally features a street sport in opposition to the Tulane group that received the Cotton Bowl. — Tom Fornelli South Carolina: AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll electorate ended up hanging South Carolina at twenty seventh of their preseason vote casting, and that is too excessive for a gaggle that is nearer to the 35-40 vary heading into the 12 months. Similarly, the preseason media ballot has South Carolina 3rd within the SEC East. Instead, I consider it is a staff that is going to struggle with Florida and Missouri for some of the ones spots within the backside part of the department. A bowl group? Definitely appears to be like that approach. But the offseason noticed some high-end losses to the switch portal, so there are some spots at the roster the place intensity is an actual fear. Shane Beamer labored the portal to handle some of the ones issues and does have a celebrity within the making with Nick Harbour. Overall, although, it is not sufficient for best 25 attention from me. — Chip Patterson Most underrated group LSU: The SEC West will as soon as once more come right down to Alabama or LSU. Going into the season, I’ve some distance fewer issues concerning the Tigers than I do the Tide. LSU has a confirmed veteran QB with intensity at the back of him, in addition to ability at operating again and extensive receiver. While there are some issues concerning the secondary early within the season, the defensive entrance seven will likely be forged. The nearer I have a look at the SEC in 2023, the extra I consider LSU is a larger danger than Alabama not to simply dethrone Georgia within the convention however win the nationwide name as smartly. — FornelliArkansas: The Razorbacks are going to be extraordinarily tricky to sport plan for this season. Quarterback Ok.J. Jefferson is particularly close to inconceivable to arrange for together with his talent to run between the tackles and out of doors, plus the brand new offense beneath veteran coordinator Dan Enos will permit him extra freedom within the passing sport. The aggregate of Jefferson and megastar operating again Raheim Sanders will make this one of probably the most entertaining offenses within the nation. If defensive coordinator Travis Williams can get the passing protection — worst within the nation final season — enjoying just a little higher, this group may push for a New Year’s Six bowl. — Sallee South Carolina: Since Beamer took over from Will Muschamp in 2021, he is received 15 video games in his first two seasons and completed within the best 20 of the scores final season. The Gamecocks could have megastar QB Spencer Rattler again to guide the offense after throwing for over 3,000 yards final season. South Carolina is unranked to start out this season and must substitute so much of its protection, however I be expecting the Gamecocks to complete within the best 25 once more. — PalmKentucky: UK is a perennial darkish horse within the soon-to-be defunct SEC East, however this may if truth be told be the 12 months to shop for the hype. The Wildcats get 3 of their 5 maximum tricky video games at house, although that October street go back and forth to Georgia is a beast. Kentucky is a sturdy candidate to achieve no less than 10 regular-season wins — one thing it has no longer executed since 1977 — whilst optimistically pushing again into the highest part of the SEC. — Backus (Jeyarajah, Cobb)Missouri: I’m purchasing slightly Missouri inventory, no less than given its preseason media ballot place of 6th within the SEC East with a pretty big margin between the Tigers and 5th position. I feel Missouri’s protection goes to reason some actual issues for combatants and stay the group in video games in opposition to maximum convention foes. The corners are superb, and there is a ton of manufacturing getting back from final 12 months’s protection, together with linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper, the SEC’s returning chief in tackles for loss. If quarterbacks Brady Cook or Sam Horn can get a hold of sufficient performs in video games the protection helps to keep shut, the Tigers may well be nearer to the highest 4 than backside two within the SEC East standings. — Patterson Mississippi State: Mike Leach’s spirit endures. The overdue Bulldogs trainer made a profession about tweaking the noses of powerhouses. New trainer Zach Arnett will lift on that custom, no less than within the brief time period. Look for a pair of upsets from a group led by way of a tender, competitive group of workers in transition from the loss of Leach. LSU and Alabama talk over with Starkville (simply sayin’). The guy who threw extra instances than someone, quarterback Will Rogers…