Exciting times for college football in the SEC
- College football in the Southeastern Conference is set to thrive with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma.
- Predictions suggest that Ole Miss and Texas A&M will be successful in the SEC.
- The competition is expected to intensify with the new 16-team league.
As the college football season approaches, teams are gearing up for a challenging year in the SEC. Texas A&M, under new head coach Mike Elko, is poised for a promising season with 18 returning starters. Elko, who previously overachieved at Duke, now has a stronger roster and a favorable schedule that notably excludes powerhouse teams Georgia and Alabama. The Aggies are expected to be favorites in their initial five games, with home-field advantage against tough opponents like Texas and LSU. Meanwhile, Ole Miss stands out with an impressive 20 returning starters, bolstered by a high-scoring offense that averaged 31.9 points per game last season. The Rebels are also looking to enhance their defensive capabilities, having potentially added four starters through the transfer portal, which could further elevate their performance this year. In contrast, Oklahoma faces significant challenges as it transitions into the SEC with the second-fewest returning offensive starters, just two. The Sooners' win total is set at 7.5, but a daunting schedule featuring road games against Missouri and LSU, along with a home game against Alabama, raises concerns. The pressure mounts for a young quarterback as the team navigates a tough early season. Lastly, the Florida Gators have seen their win total adjusted from 5.5 to 4.5, despite returning 14 starters, the second-most in the SEC. This shift raises questions about the team's prospects as they prepare for a competitive season ahead.