By B Bains,
The SEC conference is undoubtedly the highest profile conference in college football year in and year out. There are always a few contenders for the national title which makes the SEC very exciting to watch. With this year’s national championship made by the pundits as Alabama’s to lose, the Crimson Tide are yet again destined the odds on favorite to win the SEC Conference. However, look for LSU and Georgia to give the Crimson Tide serious competition for the SEC title.
At a +163 odds to win the conference, Alabama once again the favorite to win it all. With a loaded offense and defense even with losses to some key players due to NFL, the Crimson Tide I believe will win it all. In addition, with the presence of Nick Saban and his hair patrolling the side lines, Alabama will continue to be a force to be reckoned with.
The LSU Tigers are at a +333 to win the conference and the Georgia Bulldogs at a +1000 to win the SEC. Both looking to improve on outstanding seasons last year. The Tigers will be very strong at the running back position again despite, needing to improve their 105th ranked passing offense. Similarly, the Bulldogs have talent at the running back position with Nick Chubb coming off an injury and stellar defense yet, will need to get adjust to new coach Kirby Smart.
Odds to win the SEC Conference:
Alabama +163
LSU +333
Tennessee +400
Georgia +1000
Mississippi +1000
Auburn +1200
Florida +1500
Texas A&M +2000
Arkansas +2000
Mississippi State +4000
Missouri +6600
Kentucky +6600
South Carolina +10000
Vanderbilt +20000
Florida Gators at +1500 to win the conference, the Texas A&M Aggies at +2000 to win the conference and the Kentucky Wildcats have odds of +6600 to win the conference will all be looking to improve their teams and stay competitive in the SEC. The Gators hired new offense and defensive coordinators to hopefully provide spark for the team and ultimately get back to their winning ways. The Aggies will look to jumpstart the offense through new offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone and will look to stay competitive with a favorable schedule. The Wildcats will look to improve on their 5-7 record from last season. With a tough schedule ahead of them in 2016 I see it unlikely, for the Wildcats to be contenders in the SEC.
The Ole Miss Rebels at a +1000 to win the conference and the Mississippi State Bulldogs are at a +4000 to win the SEC and finally, the Arkansas Razorbacks have odds of +2000 to win will all be looking to have great seasons in 2016. The Rebels will have to deal with a slight hiccup at the offensive line position but, will still be in serious contention with strong spots at every other position on the team. The Bulldogs will have to overcome a new quarterback filling in with an added addition of a new defensive coordinator. Although, the team should fare well with strong records the past three years and a somewhat unchallenging schedule. The Razorbacks, will have to deal with new quarterback Austin Allen coming in and with the departures at the running back and tight end spots. On the other hand, the team should be in contention in the SEC with a strong defense.
The Vanderbilt Commodores have the worst odds at +20000, the Tennessee Volunteers are +400 and the Missouri Tigers are at +6600 to win the SEC. They will all be looking to be competitive in the SEC eastern division as rivals. The Commodores will be looking to improve on a poor season in 2015 and in the end, hope to win more games from last season. The Volunteers will be looking to improve on their 9-4 record from last season and win the games that matter most. The Tigers will be looking to improve their low ranked offense from last year and coop with the hiring of a new coach in Barry Odom.
Lastly, the South Carolina Gamecocks at a +10000 to win the conference and the Auburn Tigers at a +1200 to win the conference will be looking for support from new additions to be competitive in 2016. The Gamecocks will have to deal with loses to major players on both sides of the ball and will need big performances from their players in 2016 in order to have a chance at all. In contrast, the Tigers will look to a couple of additions outside of the team in order to be competitive against the SEC’s best Alabama through the support from new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele and an already stable offence. But, the team will have to fend off a tough schedule in order to meet their ultimate accomplishments.