Now that the presents are opened, Santa is back at the North Pole, and the food coma’s over we can talk about the happiest moments of the Christmas season, college football. We are also approaching the time of year where those who wish to improve themselves make New Year’s Resolutions. Here is my first installment of resolutions for each team in the SEC. This will be followed daily by each of the P5 conferences this week, Big Ten up tomorrow.
East
Georgia
What is your resolution for the team who seemingly has everything? A top-notch, NFL-caliber QB in this case. Stetson Bennett has had a tremendous career, I’m not denigrating him at all but he’s also not a guy they let loose and who can make all the throws. A QB with elite skills would be fun to watch in this offense, and if Georgia gets it the rest of the SEC better watch out.
https://twitter.com/GeorgiaFootball/status/1607420993668276224
Tennessee
Maintain stability. Josh Heupel has Tennessee on the right trajectory, year two was great, and recruiting was solid (Nico Iamaleava looks to be a future star at QB). The Vols will hope that nothing happens which rocks the boat too hard. They appear to have the foundation, maintaining it and building is now the goal.
South Carolina
Dominate the transfer portal again. Shane Beamer has impressed all through two years in Columbia and his ability to inject talent and fill gaps has been a huge reason why. Last offseason he cleaned up in the transfer portal bringing in like likes of Spencer Rattler, and Juice Wells. Christian Beal-Smith, and Devonni Reed. The portal so far this year has not been kind to the Gamecocks. Losing Jaheim Bell and MarShawn Lloyd will hurt the team. Hoping Beamer can bring guys in after the bowl game who can help.
https://twitter.com/GamecockFB/status/1598101970698481664
Kentucky
I hope Kentucky can find an offensive line. The 2021 WIldcats had multiple NFL O-linemen, which made Will Levis actually look like he could play in the NFL. The 2022 Cats were abysmal up front and it showed in their performances. Devin Leary and Ray Davis are huge portal additions but we need blockers up front.
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Florida
That they are able to fix the defense. The Gators’ defense, especially against the run, was atrocious. On top of that, they lost many of their top defensive players. I know replacing Anthony Richardson is important but if the defense isn’t any better it won’t matter.
https://twitter.com/GatorsFB/status/1605688881042534401
Missouri
O, cowardly lion. For you, I wish you had a heart. Seemingly refusing to play long-time rival Kansas in a bowl game and barely showing up against Wake Forest. This team needs a heart…….or something else that usually comes in pairs.
Vanderbilt
Baby steps get on a plane, baby steps get you six wins, baby steps make a bowl game. The amended words of Bill Murray’s titular character from What About Bob? ring true for Vandy. Year two of the Clark Lea ear was a resounding success, and tiny steps forward are all they need. Most people expected 2-3 total wins and none in the SEC. Lea guided them to five total and two conference wins. That is progress in a place where they haven’t had much to cheer about in a while.
West
LSU
I think I speak for all of us when I resolve that Brian Kelly come up with more folksy accents in 2023. From talking about his family to dancing with recruits, we all laughed at Kelly early on, but then we stopped. LSU had less than 40 scholarship players when he took over and was projected to finish 5th in the SEC West. The Tigers proceeded to get hot at the right time, beat Alabama, and win the division. Whatever Kelly has in the closet, clearly we all want more of it.
Alabama
An injection of talent into the WR room. It wasn’t too long ago we had Devonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, Henry Ruggs, and Jerry Jeudy all in the Tide’s receiving corps but it seems like ages ago based on the play this year. Alabama’s WRs were not very good this season then most of them left on the transfer portal. We don’t know who’ll be throwing the ball to them in 2023, I have doubts about Jalen Milroe, but whoever it is will need targets to throw to if Alabama expects to be at the level they’re accustomed to being at.
https://twitter.com/AlabamaFTBL/status/1607446689807470594
Mississippi State
In our most somber moments, we resolve that the Bulldogs can manage the grief and use it as inspiration. Very few can understand what they are going through in losing a sitting coach. Nothing will ever be the same in Starkville but I hope that Zach Arnett and Co. handle all the changes they will encounter and continue on the steps forward that Mike Leach had started.
Ole Miss
That they can finish a season. Now, this may be a loaded one because the schedule was against them here but the Rebels stormed out to a 7-0 record and a #7 poll ranking, then proceeded to lose four of five to finish the regular season. The fans in Oxford have to be ecstatic that Lane Kiffin is coming back in 2023 but the disappointing finish to the year won’t be forgotten. Lane will always do well in the portal, though it was a disappointing early signing day, so talent shouldn’t be a problem anymore. Winning late in the year, down the stretch, as they did in 2021 will be key for them to make that next step.
https://twitter.com/OleMissFB/status/1607138140510388225
Arkansas
To keep KJ Jefferson healthy in 2023. Arkansas reverted back to reality a little bit in 2022, going 6-6, and the grace period for Sam Pittman is over. When we look at 2022 deeper though, the Hogs were actually pretty solid when Jefferson was playing at full speed. It was when he was out or dinged up that they struggled. Backups Malik Hornsby and Cade Fortin were ineffective in their play and the offense couldn’t consistently move the ball when either was in. Neither will be on the roster next fall. The Razorbacks will go as far as Jefferson takes them, they better hope he can stay healthy in doing so.
Auburn
A new group of boosters. I know it’s an unrealistic pipe dream but Auburn’s mysterious boosters railroaded Bryan Harsin and tried to fire him for an alleged extramarital affair only to finally fire him. Then turn around and hire Hugh Freeze, a man who has verifiably done far worse things on the company dime(and is a top-notch coach). These hypocrites pretending to have the moral high ground on Harsin and then hiring Freeze is ridiculous and no college anywhere should be beholden to their generous donations.
https://twitter.com/AuburnFootball/status/1607014387184713729
Texas A&M
That the Aggies hire an offensive coordinator and let him call the plays. Jimbo Fisher has been a good talent evaluator and prior to 2022 had never had a losing season in which he coached from start to finish. I’ll admit I defend him more than some and he has proven himself, but 2022 was an abomination. Nothing can defend how bad the Aggies were with the resources they have and the talent on that roster. The offense remains stuck in the past and has been easy to game plan against for opposing DCs. Hire a new OC and give him the keys to the offense.
