WATCH: UGA football’s Kirby Smart on new SEC coaches, roster management
Georgia football coach Kirby Smart speaks to reporters on May 28, 2024 in Miramar Beach, Fla. at the SEC spring meetings.
If Georgia is No. 1 in the SEC, then who’s No. 2?
The media who cover the SEC will vote to predict the standings next week. The Bulldogs likely will be picked to win the conference.
But, will the media go with newcomer Texas at No. 2? Or, maybe blue blood Alabama? Others like Ole Miss shouldn’t be ignored, either. And who’s Nos. 3, 4 and 5?
The debate is more interesting than ever, after the SEC’s expansion to 16 teams and elimination of divisions. Plus, the 12-team College Football Playoff means finishing fourth or even fifth in the conference could unlock a playoff bid.
On this edition of “SEC Football Unfiltered,” a podcast from the USA TODAY Network, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams weigh in on who they expect to be No. 2 in the media’s vote. They also offer how they’re predicting the top five spots in the SEC standings.
They agree on Georgia at No. 1, but then it gets tougher. Alabama barely makes the top-five cut.
Here’s how they would rank the top five SEC teams, in terms of order of finish in the 2024 conference standings.
No. 1
Adams: Georgia. The Bulldogs once again have plenty of firepower.
Toppmeyer: Georgia. Reliable roster. Reliable coach. Don’t overthink this.
Is Georgia football the obvious pick to win the SEC? Don’t ignore Texas
Is Georgia football the obvious pick to win the SEC? Don’t ignore Texas
No. 2
Adams: Ole Miss. Lane Kiffin assembled his best roster ever.
Toppmeyer: Texas. The Longhorns are built for the SEC.
No. 3
Adams: Texas. Is Texas back? Yeah, pretty much.
Toppmeyer: LSU. The defense has to improve, right? It can’t get worse. LSU’s toughest SEC games are at home.
No. 4
Adams: Tennessee. I’m all-in on redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
Toppmeyer: Ole Miss. The Portal King’s latest haul should improve the Rebels’ defense.
No. 5
Adams: Alabama. No one is Nick Saban, but Kalen DeBoer looks to be up for the job of being Alabama’s coach.
Toppmeyer: Alabama. Saban didn’t leave the cupboard bare, and DeBoer is a proven winner.
In review
Adams: 1. Georgia, 2. Ole Miss, 3. Texas, 4. Tennessee, 5. Alabama
Toppmeyer: 1. Georgia, 2. Texas, 3. LSU, 4. Ole Miss, 5. Alabama
Later in the episode
∎ Toppmeyer shares insights on his recent interview with Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer, who is embracing lofty Year 1 expectations.
Kalen DeBoer embraces College Football Playoff expectations at Alabama
Blake and John discuss the coaching changes Karen DeBoer undergoes at Alabama.