Prediction: Alabama will win highly contested SEC

By Brandon Ferris

Nick Saban exits the field after last year's thrilling national title game.

Year after year we see that the SEC is top heavy. The few heavyweights that dominate the SEC beat each other up each year, which usually leads to only one SEC team getting that prestigious college playoff berth. However, last year was the exception. 

Predictability is not always the most exciting route, but in the SEC, we’ve come to see that predictable is the norm. After winning its fifth national championship in the last nine years, it seems as though Alabama is the team to beat. Indeed, the Crimson Tide lost a lot of players in the NFL draft (as always), but Nick Saban can always rebuild within a few months. Players like Calvin Ridley, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ronnie Harrison, and Bo Scarbrough will not be returning this year. A record 12 players were selected from Alabama in the NFL draft, but there are more than enough players for Saban to use. But, all eyes will be on the starting quarterback battle.

Speaking of quarterbacks, two teams that could dethrone Alabama have Heisman candidates leading their team. Jake Fromm of Georgia and Auburn's Jarrett Stidham look to lead their teams to the college football playoff.

Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs should have an easy time winning the East Division of the SEC, similar to last year. Georgia finished 13-2, with a 7-1 conference record. While they lost key contributors like Nick Chubb and Roquan Smith, a healthy Jake Fromm can take Georgia back to the SEC championship and maybe back to the College Football Playoff. Florida and Missouri may present tough challenges, but the Bulldogs should run all over them.

On the East side, look for Auburn and Alabama to take control. An Iron Bowl with huge implications is great for the SEC and college football. Auburn will look to control their games with their tough defense and Gus Malzahn will hope that Stidham can take the next step as an elite QB. Even though Auburn will present a tough challenge, the Tide will meet the Bulldogs in the SEC championship this year. 

With sleepers like Missouri, LSU, and Texas A&M with Jimbo Fisher, the SEC could have more of a level playing field this year. There are a lot of good quarterbacks in the south that can lead their team to many victories. 

However, the Tide will come out of the SEC and will look to win its sixth national title in 10 years.