Talking season is in full fledge as media day’s across the land are
underway. The SEC in particular got started today in Nashville with
the four-day event taking place on Broadway. As we officially turn
the page to the 2023 season, I project the finishes, strengths, and
weaknesses for every team. Let’s get started.
SEC East
1. Georgia
Strength: All-around Depth
Weakness: QB Uncertainty
– The reigning back-to-back national champs look to three-peat with a fully reloaded roster. Can the QB play keep up with first-time starter Carson Beck?
2. Tennessee
Strength: Offense
Weakness: Secondary (DBs)
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– Coming off the best season in over a decade finishing 11-2 with an Orange Bowl win over Clemson, the Vols look to improve. Before they can do that though, they need to shore up some defensive issues, specifically in the backend.
3. Kentucky
Strength: QB/Play Calling
Weakness: Run Defense
– With NC State transfer Devin Leary taking over the reigns at QB, and former OC Liam Coen coming back into the fold, the Wildcats look to match their stingy defense to get back to 10-win status.
4. South Carolina
Strength: Passing game
Weakness: Run Defense
– With Spencer Rattler coming back and a versatile cast to throw to, the Gamecocks look very formidable. To fulfill their full potential, the defense will have to step up in a major way after giving up almost 200ypg on the ground.
5. Florida
Strength: RB Room
Weakness: QB Room
– As the running back room is the strength led by potential breakout star Trevor Etienne, the QB room on the other hand is the complete opposite. Graham Mertz was expected to take the job and run with it, but that has not happened. The Gators need to show a lot of improvement this season, which starts with the QB.
6. Missouri
Strength: Front Seven
Weakness: Passing Game
– While Mizzou has a few skilled playmakers, Brady Cook still has to get the ball to them. The defense also needs to improve dramatically.
7. Vanderbilt
Strength: QB
Weakness: Defense
– Vandy is still in rebuild mode as Clark Lea begins his third season at the helm. QB AJ Swann and main target Will Sheppard should be a bright spot.
SEC West
1. Alabama
Strength: Defense
Weakness: QB Room
– The Crimson Tide look to bounce back from a down season (11-2) in their eyes, but can they find a QB to lead them?
2. LSU
Strength: Offense
Weakness: Run Defense
– LSU returns a loaded roster, but can they be victorious over Alabama again? Jayden Daniels is a nice chess piece.
3. Ole Miss
Strength: Run Game
Weakness: Defense
– With the conference’s leading rusher from a year ago returning in Quinshon Judkins, the offense should run smoothly. Can the defense keep up?
4. Texas A&M
Strength: Talent
Weakness: Run defense
– With an already solid defense, Jimbo went out and got arguably one of the best offensive minds in all of college football (Bobby Petrino) to call the plays. Will the relationship work?
5. Arkansas
Strength: QB
Weakness: Defense
– Senior QB KJ Jefferson returns for his final season to lead the Hogs and go out on a positive note. Although he has star running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders along side him, the defense will need to step up.
6. Auburn
Strength: Coaching
Weakness: Defense
– Going into Hugh Freeze’s first year at the helm not much is really expected out of the gate. With that being said, he still has to show some promise. Good thing he has some talent on his hands to work with.
7. Mississippi State
Strength: QB
Weakness: Running Game/New Scheme
– Another head coach going into his first year leading their team is Zack Arnett. Although he has been at MSU for some years, the situation he is in having to take over for Mike Leach, whom we tragically lost, will be an uphill battle. Veteran QB Will Rogers should ease the transition.
Day One Recap
Day one in the Music City went about as well as it could have. All
of the coaches were pretty candid for the most part and kept it status
quo. The one person we look forward to the most(Mike
Leach)during talking season with all of the best quotes was sadly
not in attendance, but his presence was very well made known.
Commissioner Greg Sankey spoke a few words to begin with, but
was also asked a couple of things that stuck out to me. For one he is
perfectly fine with the SEC Championship game staying in Atlanta,
and he wants federal action on NIL. I’m okay with the first for a
little while longer, as there are new options becoming available in
the future, but the ladder sounds a little fishy to me. I feel the
athletes should be able to make whatever and however much their
name is valued in the market as.
Brian Kelly was up next at the podium representing LSU and I feel
like he is confident his team can win it all, especially with QB
Jayden Daniels back. Although he was a little skeptical about all of
the transfers he had to bring in. Next was Jimbo Fisher and he was
well…Jimbo to say the least. When asked about the Aggies new
offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino he said, “Hopefully he’ll call
the game. I think Bobby can definitely do that.” I mean I guess
he’ll let him do his job? Who knows. One thing we do know is that
they have talent, but we’ll see how that relationship develops.
Last but not least was Eli Drinkwitz and the Missouri Tigers. He
went on to speak for an unprecedented 11 minutes and 11 seconds
straight going on about his team and depth chart. He said the reason
was to “Kill as much time as I possibly could, so I would not
answer any question too crazy today and trend on twitter.” That
pretty much sums up the day. Stay tuned tomorrow for a recap of
day two!
