SEC Predictions (with records)

[NFLpredictor]

Missouri was your East winner last year. Can they do it again? Many are saying no but we are saying yes. The Tigers enter the season with a chip on their shoulder in 2014 as do the Florida Gators. We think that will mean something. Alabama should return to the top in the West and we think Auburn gets a reality check. BEST O/U bets according to BOVADA odds: Missouri (over), Florida (over), South Carolina (under), Georgia (under), Texas A&M (over), Mississippi St. (under).

SEC East	Predicted 2014 Record	2013 Record
Missouri	10-2	12-2
Florida	9-3	4-8
South Carolina	8-4	11-2
Georgia	8-4	8-5
Vanderbilt	6-6	9-4
Tennessee	5-7	5-7
Kentucky	4-8	2-10

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SEC West	Predicted 2014 Record	2013 Record
Alabama	11-1	11-2
LSU	10-2	10-3
Texas A&M	9-3	9-4
Auburn	8-4	12-2
Ole Miss	7-5	8-5
Arkansas	5-7	3-9
Mississippi St.	4-8	7-6

 

[TyBounce]

Wow ! I thought Mississippi State was the hardest team in the SEC to figure b/c i couldn't decide if i thought they would be 7-5 or 9-3. .... but 4-8 ? Really ?

They have an easy non con sked , and have the luxery of playing both Arkansas and Kentucky in conf play , that should be 6 wins without even getting to A&M and Vandy , and then theres the big 3 and the Egg Bowl.

I see no worse than 7-5 and maybe as good as 9-3. .... but thats what makes this stuff fun , i would have never guessed Mizzou and Fla would have seasons like they had last year.

 

[NFLpredictor]

Wow ! I thought Mississippi State was the hardest team in the SEC to figure b/c i couldn't decide if i thought they would be 7-5 or 9-3. .... but 4-8 ? Really ?

They have an easy non con sked , and have the luxery of playing both Arkansas and Kentucky in conf play , that should be 6 wins without even getting to A&M and Vandy , and then theres the big 3 and the Egg Bowl.

I see no worse than 7-5 and maybe as good as 9-3. .... but thats what makes this stuff fun , i would have never guessed Mizzou and Fla would have seasons like they had last year.

You know, you never can tell. I take the emotion out it. Trying to look at the schedule and predict what individual game will be wins and losses is not the best strategy.

 

[Well-Seasoned]

Wow ! I thought Mississippi State was the hardest team in the SEC to figure b/c i couldn't decide if i thought they would be 7-5 or 9-3. .... but 4-8 ? Really ?

They have an easy non con sked , and have the luxery of playing both Arkansas and Kentucky in conf play , that should be 6 wins without even getting to A&M and Vandy , and then theres the big 3 and the Egg Bowl.

I see no worse than 7-5 and maybe as good as 9-3. .... but thats what makes this stuff fun , i would have never guessed Mizzou and Fla would have seasons like they had last year.

I agree........I have Mississippi State rated higher as well............They've had 4 straight winning seasons and won their last game (a bowl game) 44-7 while a good number of starters returning.....You would think their QB Dak Prescott will only get even better.

 

[NFLpredictor]

I agree........I have Mississippi State rated higher as well............They've had 4 straight winning seasons and won their last game (a bowl game) 44-7 while a good number of starters returning.....You would think their QB Dak Prescott will only get even better.

Listen, let's just be honest about Mississippi St. They won the non-conference games last year. They were dominated in the SEC games that they lost. They needed overtime to win two of those SEC games and struggled at home to beat Kentucky. So, going 0fer in the SEC this year or winning 1 SEC game and getting upset in one of those non-conference games would not surprise me.

 

[cloverleaf]

Missouri ????

Most overrated team in the conference in my opinion. At South Carolina, at Florida, at Texas A&M, at Tennessee. I'm sorry but I see a 1-3 at best and probably 0-4. The lone win would be Tennessee, but the Vols will have 10 games to break in a lot of new talent.

Missouri at 10-2 ain't going to happen. Damn easy schedule compared to most but 7-5 looks like the best number to me.

 

[NFLpredictor]

Missouri ????

Most overrated team in the conference in my opinion. At South Carolina, at Florida, at Texas A&M, at Tennessee. I'm sorry but I see a 1-3 at best and probably 0-4. The lone win would be Tennessee, but the Vols will have 10 games to break in a lot of new talent.

Missouri at 10-2 ain't going to happen. Damn easy schedule compared to most but 7-5 looks like the best number to me.

What are the 5 losses? You got them losing to Tennessee?

 

[thekeyman]

yea,missouri no way wins the conference,its between florida and south carolina if you ask me.also ole miss can probably finish ahead of auburn and texas a-m or at least one of them

 

[NFLpredictor]

I don't really do the whole game by game thing because, again I don't think it's the best way to go about this thing. However, I can see this happening for Missouri this year.

vs South Dakota St	3:30 PM ET	W
Sat, Sept 6	@ Toledo	W
Sat, Sept 13	vs UCF	W
Sat, Sept 20	vs Indiana	W
Sat, Sept 27	@ South Carolina	L
Sat, Oct 11	vs Georgia	W
Sat, Oct 18	@ Florida	W
Sat, Oct 25	vs Vanderbilt	W
Sat, Nov 1	vs Kentucky	W
Sat, Nov 15	@ Texas A&M	L
Sat, Nov 22	@ Tennessee	W
Fri, Nov 28	vs Arkansas	W

 

[cloverleaf]

Not trying to bust up the party NFL but Missouri has only 4 veterans returning on offense and 4 on defense.

I have been following the SEC probably more years than you have been alive.

Even if not....8 returning regulars will dominate the SEC West....not a chance in hell my friend. None!

 

[NFLpredictor]

Not trying to bust up the party NFL but Missouri has only 4 veterans returning on offense and 4 on defense.

I have been following the SEC probably more years than you have been alive.

Even if not....8 returning regulars will dominate the SEC West....not a chance in hell my friend. None!

Well...... they do play in the East

 

[CoachCB]

Missouri will be a decent team because they are very well coached. However, they lost way, way too much talent to do what they did last year. I see them 8-4, 7-5. No better.

If UF's offense performs (and they stay healthy) they could surprise. The schedule is brutal. My prediction is 8-4.

UGA & SC will likely battle it out for 1st in the East.

I can't see Miss State going 4-8 with the team they have.

 

[rolltide]

i've been touting the Bulldogs all summer but they still play in the SEC West and if Prescott goes down this team will struggle and i'm far from sold on Dan Mullen. absolutely love Prescott though...

if they go 4-8 or even 5-7 Mr Mullen is a goner

a healthy prescott certainly starts the season 3-0 and gets both the hogs and UT-Martin later at home...that's 5 wins there. plus Vandy at home is 6. no reason they can't beat So Bama and Kentucky on the road for 8 wins

 

[RunLeeRun]

I'll give NFLer one thing, he must believe in his system, because some of the data being spit out is eye opening. There are some respected SECers that object. I'd like to see a few of them post their records and then revisit this in December.

 

[rolltide]

IMHO the SEC west is absolutely brutal...not a single game is an easy win. I think Arkansas is improving, Ole Miss is certainly improving, Miss State has all the pieces in place for a great 2014, and then of course the Bama, Barn, LSU trio

not to mention the weakest teams (well Ole Miss and Miss St) have the most proven QB's.

could be a crazy year in SEC but if Miss St only wins 4 games i'll crown NFLpredictor as the absolute MAN. don't see that one at all...similar to his wake forest prediction

those are really the only two i've seen that are a bit wacko ... everything else seems to be within the realm of possibility

 

[TyBounce]

I'll give NFLer one thing, he must believe in his system, because some of the data being spit out is eye opening. There are some respected SECers that object. I'd like to see a few of them post their records and then revisit this in December.

EAST
South Car : 11-1 .......(7-1)
Georgia : 9-3 ............(6-2)
Florida : 7-5 .............(4-4)
Mizzou : 7-5 ..............(4-4)
Vandy : 7-5 ..............(3-5)
Kentucky:3-9 ............(0-8)

WEST
Alabama : 11-1 ......(7-1)
Auburn : 10-2 ........(6-2)
LSU : 10-2 ............(6-2)
Ole Miss : 8-4 ........(4-4)
Miss St : 8-4 ..........(4-4)
Texas A&M : 7-5 .....(3-5)
Arkansas: 2-10 .......(0-8)

 

[RunLeeRun]

could be a crazy year in SEC but if Miss St only wins 4 games i'll crown NFLpredictor as the absolute MAN. don't see that one at all...similar to his wake forest prediction

those are really the only two i've seen that are a bit wacko ... everything else seems to be within the realm of possibility

I'm really lumping in a few things I saw on his Big Ten as well, when I reference the data.

 

[rolltide]

I'm really lumping in a few things I saw on his Big Ten as well, when I reference the data.

i agree

i think the B10's two shakiest teams at the top are MSU and WISC and can see one of them ending with 4 losses and outside the top 25. i'd be very surprised if THAT was the b10 title game and if MSU went into Nike town and won to begin with...

but i don't think that is as outlandish as MSU going 4-8 and Wake winning 7 games

 

[rolltide]

here's the SEC experience grid: (surprised LSU is not at the bottom)

With that in mind, here are my 2014 experience rankings for the SEC:

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1. Mississippi State Bulldogs (national rank: No. 5)The Bulldogs finished the 2013 season with three straight wins, and they return 16 starters, including quarterback Dak Prescott, who led the team in both passing and rushing a year ago. They also welcome back their top three receivers, beginning with Jameon Lewis, and their offensive line has 81 career starts. On defense, they return nine of their top 11 tacklers, including All-American candidate Benardrick McKinney at linebacker.Overall, MSU returns 83 percent of its lettermen (57 of 69 players), which ranks No. 3 in the country, and has 12 senior starters, which ties Auburn for the most in the SEC. I think the Bulldogs could be a surprise contender in the brutal SEC West.

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2. Auburn Tigers (No. 6)Last year, the Tigers shocked the college football world, going from 3-9 in 2012 to just 13 seconds away from a BCS title. They look just as strong, if not stronger, in the second year under coach Gus Malzahn thanks to the return of 14 starters. On offense, Nick Marshall, who had 3,044 total yards a year ago, becomes the first starting quarterback to return for a second year in a Malzahn-led offense at the college level (nine years). Despite the loss of running back Tre Mason, Auburn still returns 79 percent of its offensive yards and has 113 career starts on its offensive line (No. 11 in the country).Overall, the Tigers are one of the most experienced teams in the country, but they play my No. 5 toughest schedule and will have a hard time matching last year's success.

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3. South Carolina Gamecocks (No. 22)Despite the losses of arguably their best player on offense (Connor Shaw) and defense (Jadeveon Clowney), the Gamecocks return an incredible 85 percent of their lettermen, which ranks No. 1 in the country. They have six of their top seven rushers back on offense, led by All-American candidate Mike Davis, and nine of their top 10 receivers return. The offensive line has 113 career starts, and last year South Carolina had its best rush yards per game (198), best yards per carry (4.8) and fewest sacks allowed (23) in the Steve Spurrier era.The defense welcomes back six of its top eight tacklers, and while the defensive line was decimated with the loss of Clowney and Kelcy Quarles, the Gamecocks return their entire three-deep at linebacker.

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4. Ole Miss Rebels (No. 26)The Hugh Freeze era has gotten off to a solid start thanks to back-to-back bowl wins. This year the Rebels have 15 returning starters, led by quarterback Bo Wallace, who totaled 3,720 yards last year. They also return their top two rushers and have Laquon Treadwell back at wide receiver.On defense, the Rebels return 85 percent of their tackles from a year ago, ranking No. 3 in the country. When you consider the fact that they avoid Florida, Georgia and South Carolina out of the SEC East, Ole Miss is a legitimate contender in the SEC this year.

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5. Arkansas Razorbacks (No. 47)After a 3-0 start to the Bret Bielema era, the Razorbacks enter 2014 on a school-record nine-game losing streak. They do welcome back 14 starters, including quarterback Brandon Allen and one of the better one-two punches at running back in the country in Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams.The defense returns seven starters, including its top two tacklers and All-SEC defensive endTrey Flowers. While they play my No. 3 toughest schedule in the country, the Razorbacks should easily top last year's win total.

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6. Kentucky Wildcats (No. 56)The Wildcats have lost 16 straight SEC games, but this year they have a solid shot at stopping that streak thanks to the return of 15 starters. Kentucky returns its leading rusher and leading passer, but both running back Jojo Kemp and quarterback Maxwell Smith will be in a battle to keep their starting jobs due to an influx of solid recruiting classes by coach Mark Stoops. While Avery Williamson, who easily led the team in tackles last year (41 more than No. 2), departs, the defense returns 10 of its top 12 tacklers led by All-SEC defensive end Alvin Dupree. Overall, the Wildcats have 16 seniors on their two-deep roster, and I think they could double last year's two wins.

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7. Florida Gators (No. 64)Last year the Gators returned just nine starters, suffered 51 starts lost to injury (third most in the country) and finished 4-8, their worst season since 1979. This year the offense returns its top four rushers and welcomes back a healthy Jeff Driskel at quarterback.The defense returns seven of its top nine tacklers, led by All-American candidates at defensive end in Dante Fowler Jr. and cornerback in Vernon Hargreaves III. While they pull Alabama and LSU out of the SEC West, the Gators are my No. 2 most improved team in the country and could go from just four wins to as many as 10.

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8. Georgia Bulldogs (No. 71)The Bulldogs' experience ranking may be misleading. They lost four-year starting quarterback Aaron Murray, but backup Hutson Mason got a couple of starts under his belt late last year due to an injury to Murray. On offense, they return their top four rushers, led by All-American Todd Gurley, and also bring back their top two receivers.The defense returns 83 percent of its tackles (No. 10 in the country), highlighted by my No. 1 linebacker corps that includes the SEC's leading tackler from last season in Ramik Wilson. Overall, the Bulldogs have 10 senior starters and are my pick to win the SEC East.

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9. Texas A&M Aggies (No. 90)While the Aggies return 75 percent of their letterman from last year (No. 23 in the country), they return just 24 percent of their offensive yards (No. 123) due to the loss of all-everything quarterback Johnny Manziel and wide receiver Mike Evans.On the positive side, they do return 89 career starts on the offensive line (No. 30 in the country) but have lost three starters on defense since May, and their 78 percent of tackles returning (No. 24) has dropped to 61 percent (No. 78).

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10. Alabama Crimson Tide (No. 107)The last three times the Crimson Tide have won the national title, their experience average rank was 66. While all-time leading passer AJ McCarron departs, they have won two national titles under Nick Saban with a first-year starting quarterback. Whoever wins the job, he will be surrounded by an experienced set of skill-position players as Bama brings back its top five rushers, led by T.J. Yeldon. The Tide also return five of their top six receivers, led by arguably the best wide receiver in the country in Amari Cooper.On the negative side, the Tide bring back only 37 starts on the offensive line (No. 107) and have only five returning starters on defense. However, no one has done a better job at replacing departing talent than Saban. Despite the inexperience, Alabama is my pick to win the SEC.

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11. LSU Tigers (No. 119)If you have followed the NFL draft the past couple of years, the Tigers' low ranking should come as no surprise as they have seen an incredible 18 underclassmen declare early. Last year, the Tigers became the first team in SEC history to have a 3,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers, but all four players departed. They rank No. 127 out of 128 in total yards returning but have one of the best offensive lines in the Les Miles era with 75 career starts returning.After returning just four starters on defense last year, the Tigers have seven back in 2014 and eight of their top 11 tacklers. Miles also welcomes two No. 1 recruits in running backLeonard Fournette and wide receiver Malachi Dupre, both of whom should contribute immediately.

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12. Missouri Tigers (No. 122)Like Auburn last year, Missouri shook up the SEC, going from a losing record in 2012 to an SEC East title. However, this set of Tigers will be hard-pressed to duplicate that success in 2014, as they return an SEC-low eight starters combined on offense and defense. The offense loses quarterback James Franklin, leading rusher Henry Josey and its top three receivers. Overall, Missouri brings back just 34 percent of its offensive yards (No. 113 in the country).Missouri does have 10 senior starters combined on offense and defense and avoids Alabama, Auburn and LSU from the SEC West. While the Tigers won't match last year's 12-win total, their favorable schedule still makes them a contender in the SEC East.

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13. Tennessee Volunteers (No. 123)Last year, the Vols were one of the most experienced teams in the country at the line of scrimmage, but they had little experience at the skill positions. This year they return their top two quarterbacks, three of their top four rushers and five of their top six receivers. However, they have just 14 career starts combined at the line of scrimmage and zero returning starters.Tennessee does return five of its top six tacklers, led by All-American linebacker A.J. Johnson, and coach Butch Jones brought in a top-10 recruiting class to offset the losses. Unfortunately, the Vols face my No. 2 toughest schedule and will have a tough time getting to their first bowl since 2010.

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14. Vanderbilt Commodores (No. 124)The Commodores are coming off their best back-to-back seasons since World War II but could be in store for a rebuilding season under new coach Derek Mason. They return just 10 starters and lose five All-SEC players. The offense does return leading rusher Jerron Seymour, and the offensive line has 83 career starts back (No. 36). However, Vandy loses quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels and the SEC's all-time leading receiver in Jordan Matthews.On the other side, the defense returns just four starters and loses six of its top eight tacklers. On offense and defense combined, the Commodores have just six seniors on their two-deep.

 

[TyBounce]

EAST
South Car : 11-1 .......(7-1)
Georgia : 9-3 ............(6-2)
Florida : 7-5 .............(4-4)
Mizzou : 7-5 ..............(4-4)
Vandy : 7-5 ..............(3-5)
Kentucky:3-9 ............(0-8)

WEST
Alabama : 11-1 ......(7-1)
Auburn : 10-2 ........(6-2)
LSU : 10-2 ............(6-2)
Ole Miss : 8-4 ........(4-4)
Miss St : 8-4 ..........(4-4)
Texas A&M : 7-5 .....(3-5)
Arkansas: 2-10 .......(0-8)

Oopps , i omitted Tennessee : 5-7 (2-6)