Way-Too-Early 2024 SEC Rankings (Feb. 9)

You know it is the offseason when hypothetical rankings are the subject of conversation, but this is part of why I love college football as much as I do. My personal rankings of the SEC from today, February 9.

I will present a case for each school with a brief summary of why their ranking made sense to me. These rankings won't please everybody, which means it's only a matter of time before I get an AP vote, right? Anyways, to the rankings of the SEC from more than 200 days away from kickoff.

1. Georgia

Kirby Smart's squad comes in as the top dog in these rankings, pun absolutely intended. Of course, Carson Beck returning for UGA gains all of the headlines, however the return of Nazir Stackhouse and Will Brinson on the iDL give the Dawgs an edge over Texas or anyone else for that matter. Georgia added former UF running back Trevor Etienne in the offseason and the offense returns 76% of its production from a year ago per ESPN's Bill Connelly. I like the Dawgs to start the year.

2. Texas

A third year quarterback behind an offensive line that returns four of five starters from a year ago. Let's not forget Sarkisian is the only College Football Playoff coach from 2023 to return to the same school. The ability to stop the run will be the biggest question mark in my eyes. However, Texas should be able to score with the likes of anyone in the country. Blue and Baxter lead the RB room and the talks of the portal additions at wide receiver have been the highlight of the offseason in Austin.

3. Ole Miss

I absolutely love what Ole Miss has done this offseason. Perhaps a top five roster in college football? Adding Walter Nolen from the portal is the biggest win of the offseason for anyone in my eyes. Lane Kiffin also added former Manor standout Princely Umanmeilen (7.0 sacks) from Florida to pair with Jared Ivey (5.5 sacks) on the edges for the Ole Miss defense, both of whom are 6-feet-5-inches and 260-plus pounds. Offense will rarely be an issue under Kiffin and when you are able to snag former UNC OL Diego Pounds and two members of Washington's Joe Moore Award winning line, Julius Buelow and Nate Kalepo, the trenches are a massive strength for the Rebels in 2024.

4. Alabama

The new era in Tuscaloosa may not be as rocky as some might expect. Listen, Kalen DeBoer has won every where he has been as a head coach. While Jalen Milroe may not be his prototypical match at quarterback, DeBoer will find a way to use mismatches to his advantage. The WR room of Ryan Williams, Jalen Hale, Kobe Prentice and Kendrick Law are enough to get by even after losing Bond and Niblack. The trench talent still remains in Tuscaloosa as well. To me, 9–3 is a safe bet.

5. Missouri

Alright, it is time to fully respect what Eli Drinkwitz is doing at Mizzou. Albeit a very nasty game, a win over Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl to end the 2023 season signifies a lot of momentum remains in Columbia. Over 79% of offensive production returns in 2024, with RB Cody Schrader (1,627 yards and 14 TD) being the largest departure obviously. QB Brady Cook is back for the Tigers, as is Theo Wease, Mookie Cooper and All American Luther Burden. 

6. Tennessee

It is officially Nico Iamaleava season on Rocky Top and I am all for it. The bowl game was a good taste of what Iamaleave could bring, but let's see it for a full season. The Vols added TE Holden Staes and Tulane standout WR Chris Brazzell to the offense which will return Bru McCoy as well. Landing former LSU OL Zalance Heard was one of the biggest offensive linemen portal wins of the offseason. Six departures out of the DB room brings a bit of a question mark, however, I am big fan of Oregon State transfer CB Jermod McCoy. 

7. Oklahoma

I juggled with where to put Oklahoma for quite a long time. New offensive coordinator, new defensive coordinator, first-time starting QB and a brand new offensive line lead me to pause. A tough hill to climb while entering the SEC. I expect Venables' defense to lead the conversation in Norman this season. Billy Bowman Jr. and Danny Stutsman return and I love what Oklahoma has brought in on the defensive line and edges. My question is will Arnold and the OL be consistent enough to let the elite group of wide receivers impact games as we know they can.

8. LSU

 If the defense is not better than a year ago, LSU could be in some deep trouble once again. No longer is there a Heisman at the quarterback position to mask the deficiencies on the defensive side of the ball from a year ago. A brand new defensive coaching staff should be provide an improvement, but until then, I am not expecting LSU to be contending at this time.

9. Texas A&M

Winning early for Mike Elko is going to be an important task, especially with how well Texas is cruising at the moment. When Conner Weigman is healthy, I think he has top-3 ability in the SEC. Though for A&M in 2024, my question belongs in the trenches and if the personnel brought in by the staff fits what they want to do. There will be 40 new players on campus come the fall, with 23 of them coming from the portal. Lots of turnover for the new era.

10. Auburn

This is a must-win season for Hugh Freeze in Auburn. If it is not a must-win, it is at least a must-show improvement from a year ago. The issue is, I question if they have the quarterback to do so. Can Fr. QB Walker White unseat Payton Thorne? That will be interesting to me. Otherwise, I like what Auburn did in the portal and the Tigers are adding a pair of five-star wide receivers as well. Still, I see too many questions offensively.

11. Kentucky

This is a team I am most prepared to be wrong about. I like Kentucky and I love the culture Mark Stoops has instilled for his program. Former five-star QB Brock Vandagriff should take over the reigns for the departed Devin Leary. Keeping Barion Brown was as big as any portal addition, though I love former UNT WR Ja'Mori Maclin here. Kentucky ranks 102nd in returning production per ESPN's Bill Connelly.

12. Florida

The toughest schedule I have seen for a college football team could not have come at a worse time for Billy Napier. Asking Graham Mertz, who wasn't terrible in 2023, to overcome that feat is just too tall for me. But with where Florida sits right now, it won't matter anyways. The Gators got whooped in the portal and do not see a lot of help coming in, despite a small handful of recruiting victories.

13. South Carolina

No more Spencer Rattler for the Gamecocks in 2024. QB LaNorris Sellers is the man penciled in to start for next season. I question who will be available to throw the ball to for Norris. WR Juice Wells transferred to Ole Miss and WR coach Justin Stepp just took the job at Illinois. It could be an upsetting season for the Gamecocks this fall unless some serious portal work is done in April.

14. Mississippi State

First year under Jeff Lebby might not produce the results the Miss State fanbase is hoping for. There will be an adjustment period to getting the adequate talent on campus for Lebby and his crew. Right now, I just don't see Mississippi State having the talent to compete. The biggest question mark to me for a Lebby scheme is can you play complementary football, in year one of a new system that is a tall task.

15. Arkansas

I was amazed Pittman kept his job in Fayetteville this offseason. It certainly does not help that QB KJ Jefferson (UCF) and RB Rocket Sanders (South Carolina) departed for the portal this offseason. Maybe Bobby Petrino is the fix? But it feels like nothing more than a prayer for dying head coaches in the SEC. 

16. Vanderbilt

Vandy is recruiting better and will have solid talent on the roster this year. They have been more competitive in recent seasons as well, but at the end of the day, they are still Vanderbilt and lack the dogs in the trenches that make game altering plays. That's the biggest issue and until they address that, it will remain an issue in 2024.