2024 College Football Preview: SEC Conference
The big SEC, which has been the most dominant conference in college football over the past two decades (14 of the previous 19 national championships winners), is set to be bigger than ever in 2024 as it undergoes a bit of an overhaul. It welcomes two teams from Big 12, Texas and Oklahoma, to its ranks.
Plus, 2024 will mark the first SEC season since 1991 with no divisions. The teams with the two best overall SEC winning percentages over the eight games of the regular season conference schedule will play in the game.
Below, we analyze all 16 teams in SEC College football and see where they stand and the expectations associated with them.
Georgia Bulldogs
After falling to Nick Saban’s Alabama in the SEC Championship Game last year, the Bulldogs reloaded and entered the season as national title favorites.
Most key players returned for Kirby Smart’s side this year, highlighted by Heisman Trophy favorite Carson Beck, who had a great 2023 season. UGA landed Trevor Etienne (Florida) at running back, while wideout transfers Colbie Young and London Humphrey should help stretch the field on offense. The roster also possesses a handful of capable receivers and a talented tight end in Ben Yurosek (Stanford).
Even with a loaded roster, the Georgia Bulldogs’ schedule is incredibly daunting, including Clemson, Alabama, Texas, Ole Miss, and Tennessee.
Texas Longhorns
After making it to the CFP last year before falling to Washington, expectations are high for the Texas Longhorns in their inaugural season in SEC, as they get a chance to prove how “back” they are.
Quarterback Quinn Ewers is one of the firm favorites for the Heisman trophy this year. The Longhorns reloaded their wide receiver room through the portal, now including wideout Isiah Bond (Alabama). Plus, Trey Moore (UTSA) gives them a standout option off the edge on defense.
The Longhorns’ schedule is tough, but the program has the know-how to survive it relatively unscathed.
Alabama Crimson Tide
With Nick Saban retiring, a new era is set to begin with the Alabama Crimson Tide under Kalen DeBoer. Even without Saban, it wouldn’t be wise to expect the program to take a big step back in 2024. Yes, multiple key players did leave in the portal, but the Crimson Tide managed to reload their rooms, too.
Kalen DeBoer has found immense success as a head coach, but the SEC is a different beast, and it’ll be interesting to see how he’ll manage the pressure and expectations. Still, with Heisman candidate quarterback Jalen Milroe leading the offense, the Crimson Tide shouldn’t be discounted in the SEC title race.
Ole Miss Rebels
With how things are shaping up for Lane Kiffin’s side, the Rebels have set their sights on a CFP berth this year. The program landed multiple key players on defense via portal this offseason, including stud recruits Walter Nolen and Princely Umanmielen. Also, Heisman favorite quarterback Jaxson Dart returns to the offense alongside Tre Harris, setting the sky the limit for the Rebels in 2024.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Rebels can handle the hype and success and show some consistency throughout the season. It will be determined by whether they’re a playoff team next fall. The roster is capable; Ole Miss needs to execute.
LSU Tigers
It’s exciting to see the LSU Tigers back as a top program in college football. The program did lose multiple explosive weapons on offense, but the Tigers managed to replace talent on that side of the ball. They have a huge task to replace the most dynamic player in the country, 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels. Fortunately, Brian Kelly can surround quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who has a lot of talent on offense and will lead this side of the ball.
LSU’s defense has been an issue recently. This year, it will be led by Harold Perkins Jr., the projected top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. If it works out, the Tigers could take a big step forward in 2024.
They have an outside shot of making a run if things continue to go right for them. It’s now or when the case for Brian Kelly and their side this season.
Missouri Tigers
The Tigers are coming off a strong season under Eli Drinkwitz. They did lose plenty of talent on the offensive side of the ball, including running back Cody Schrader, but Eli Drinkwitz has landed suitable players, and the portal has also been kind.
In addition, the program has also returned several key players on this side of the ball, including quarterback Brady Cook and receiver Luther Burden III, one of the best duos in the conference.
While the Tigers are undoubtedly one of the most talented teams in their history, the program has had one of the weakest SEC schedules in recent years. Not that there aren’t tests, but they have a comparatively much more manageable schedule than many other SEC teams.
Tennessee Volunteers
A good quarterback in college football doesn’t always correspond to huge success. Still, a lot is expected from former five-star prospect Nico Iamaleava in 2024, who was excellent in the team’s bowl game last season. The Vols offense looks to be in good hands with him as a quarterback. The program also boasts a projected top 5 pick on defense in James Pearce Jr.
These two players alone could help elevate the potential ceiling for Tennessee Volunteers. It might be easy to pass on this Vols secondary, but there are reasons to be excited about where this team is headed under Josh Heupel, who has improved the roster from top to bottom. If the offense finds its stride this season, the Vols will be a tough side for anyone on the schedule.
Oklahoma Sooners
Few teams suffered as big a blow to the portal as Oklahoma did in losing Dillon Gabriel to Oregon. But the program has someone waiting in the wings. 5-star prospect Jackson Arnold is expected to start at quarterback. He has nibbled at action in 2023 and is itching for the full-time role. With him leading the charge, there will likely be some growing pains, but many highlight reel plays. The Sooners might make a noise under Lincoln Riley if Arnold hits as many expect.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Sooners have some serious players who could put their stamp this season. Both linebacker Danny Stutsman and safety Billy Bowman are elite leaders, and they’ll play a crucial role in keeping the program pushing toward its first SEC title.
Texas A&M Aggies
Mike Elko has done a great job rebuilding this roster. Even after losing key players Walter Nolen and LT Overton to the portal, the Aggies have some big players in quarterback Conner Weigman and edge rusher Nic Scourton. In recent years, the Aggies have been plagued by inconsistency at the quarterback position, mainly due to injuries. Conner Weigman has looked like the highest-upside player but needs to stay healthy.
On the other side of the ball, Mike Elko has a lot of talent to work with. He should be able to produce some results on defense immediately. It is yet to be seen whether he can get the roster up to speed quickly enough for the Aggies to be a contender.
Auburn Tigers
Head coach Hugh Freeze’s first season on The Plains was hampered by subpar quarterback play and a lack of talent. He did good recruiting and used the transfer portal nicely. Regarding quarterback play, it’ll be Freeze’s test of his development ability. Payton Thorne enters the season as the Tigers’ QB1. The program needs much more from its quarterback to stay competitive in 2024. There is talent around Thorne, but it’ll be on him to help the side on offense.
Kentucky Wildcats
Wildcats are a good program, one of the teams not many want to face on any Saturday. But they’ve yet to break through despite having elite talent from time to time. Will 2024 be the year?
There’s a lot of speed at skill positions for the Wildcats, which should make life difficult for opposing defenses. Having said that, how will Georgia quarterback transfer Brock Vandagriff will do? The former four-star recruit looks promising but is yet to be tested. He’ll be working with new offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan, regarded as one of the brightest young minds in college football.
Mark Stoops will look towards the veterans on the roster to stay competitive, and if Vandagriff hits, they could do damage.
Florida Gators
Entering the season, the Gators’ future looks better than the present. All eyes are on Billy Napier, perhaps on the hottest seat of any coach in the SEC after Sam Pittman.
The Gators did lose Trevor Etienne but returned many good players on the offensive side of the ball. Graham Mertz is a solid quarterback who had a very steady season. However, all eyes will be on the development of five-star quarterback prospect DJ Lagway. In addition, two quality targets have been added to the passing attack from the portal.
The defense has been an issue for the last three years. This offseason, the program lost a crucial player in Princely Umanmielen. The Gators hope improved depth on this side of the ball will produce better results, but the question is whether there are any true difference-makers. With a tough schedule, it’s hard for the Gators to find a rhythm this season.
South Carolina Gamecocks
Shane Beamer enters his fourth season after winning just five games in 2023. With multiple changes on the offensive side of the ball, the program is expected to take a step back this season. There’s a new quarterback in town, with homegrown LaNorris Sellers set to take charge. As running back, Rocket Sanders is a massive addition to the Gamecocks.
Although there are doubts about the offense, the defense should be much improved this year, which should at least keep the program in more games. Linebacker Debo Williams and safety Nick Emmanwori will lead this side of the ball. Whether they can do enough to allow the team to find its rhythm against a daunting schedule is yet to be seen. Momentum will be the key for South Carolina, specifically given the pressure on Beamer.
Arkansas Razorbacks
Entering his fifth season with Razorbacks, Sam Pittman is on a hot seat, and it will continue to get warmer if fans get to see another slow start. Quarterback Taylen Green is a promising dual-threat transfer addition who is expected to lead the offense. With KJ Jefferson leaving for UCF, Green will be tasked with a quick start. He’ll be doing that while taking instructions from Bobby Petrino, one of the top offensive minds in the country.
In addition, the program suffered another big blow by losing Sanders, as it’s tough to replace a talent like that. Still, the Razorbacks have done what they could adjust.
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Things are certainly turning around with Mississippi State, but it’ll take time. New head coach Jeff Lebby says what fans want to hear, but the results must match at some point. Jeff was active in the portal, but with so much overhaul on this roster, it’s hard to expect things to come together immediately. He landed Baylor transfer quarterback Blake Shapen, who’ll lead the offense this season. Even if inconsistent, expect more fireworks from the State offense than a year ago.
Vanderbilt Commodores
There’s not much to be excited about this season for Vanderbilt Commodores fans. In addition to being in a daunting conference, the program is always at a disadvantage from a talent standpoint when facing an SEC team.
Despite some criticizing Clark Lea as a coach, there’s not much he can do to improve a roster that can’t match up against other SEC teams. Nonetheless, he has done much to rebuild the roster, bringing in 22 transfers. Quarterback Diego Pavia is a player to watch, but he alone won’t make much difference.
For Vanderbilt, the story is simple. Can they spring a big upset or two and push their way close to bowl eligibility? That would be considered a successful season for Lea as he looks to establish the floor slightly higher than in recent seasons. But most probably, 2024 looks like another year of struggle on the horizon for Commodores.
FAQs:
Q. What changes are happening in the SEC for the 2024 football season?
A. The SEC is expanding by adding Texas and Oklahoma from the Big 12 and eliminating divisions, meaning the two teams with the best SEC records will play in the championship game.
Q. How does the addition of Texas and Oklahoma impact the SEC?
A. The addition of Texas and Oklahoma makes the SEC more competitive, adding two historically strong programs that will challenge existing SEC powerhouses.
Q. What is the significance of no divisions in the 2024 SEC season?
A. Eliminating divisions means the two teams with the best overall conference records will play in the SEC Championship Game, making the regular season even more crucial.
Q. Which teams are expected to dominate the 2024 SEC football season?
A. Georgia, Alabama, and LSU are the favorites to dominate the 2024 SEC season, with strong rosters and high expectations for playoff contention.
Q. Who are the key players to watch in the 2024 SEC football season?
A. Key players include Carson Beck (Georgia), Quinn Ewers (Texas), Jalen Milroe (Alabama), and Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), all of whom are expected to have significant impacts on their teams’ success.
Q. Which SEC teams are most likely to make the College Football Playoff in 2024?
A. Georgia, Alabama, and LSU are the most likely SEC teams to make the College Football Playoff, given their strong rosters and track records.
Q. What are the toughest matchups in the 2024 SEC football season?
A. Tough matchups include Georgia vs. Alabama, Texas vs. Oklahoma, and LSU vs. Ole Miss, all of which could determine the SEC champion and playoff contenders.
