3-Point Stance: Best SEC Defensive Backs, Most Talked About Coaches, Pac-12 Predictions

National Columnist Mike Farrell is here with the 3-Point Stance, ranking the defensive back rooms in the SEC for next season, the coaches everyone is yapping about and Matt Perkins’ Pac-12 standings predictions.

Top SEC Defensive Backfields

— We move on to the SEC for the top defensive back rooms in the Power Five.

1. Georgia

— Malaki Starks, Javon Bullard, Kamari Lassister, and so on make arguably the best unit in the country.

Dec 31, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) takes a hit from Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Javon Bullard (22) during the second half of the Peach Bowl in the College Football Playoff semifinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Ohio State lost 42-41.

2. Alabama

— Kool-Aid McKinstry is the best corner around, and Terrion Arnold will be excellent. They lose a lot at safety, but there’s a ton of young talent.

Dec 31, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (1) reacts after a defensive play against the Kansas State Wildcats during the second half in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome.

3. Florida

— Jason Marshall is impressive, and the rest of this unit has depth.

Florida Gators safety Rashad Torrence II (22) and Florida Gators cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. (3) try to intercept the ball in the first half at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Sunday, October 2, 2022.

4. Missouri

— Kris Abrams-Draine and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. provide one of the best 1-2 cornerback units in the country.

Sep 1, 2022; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Louisiana Tech Bulldogs wide receiver Tre Harris (3) is unable to make the catch against Missouri Tigers defensive back Kris Abrams-Draine (14) during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.

5. Texas A&M

— Demani Richardson is an excellent safety, and I like the potential of the talent they brought in from the portal.

Nov 26, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Demani Richardson (26) hits LSU Tigers wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) after he makes the catch during the second half at Kyle Field.

Most Talked About Coaches

— Our recent Deion Sanders article got me thinking — which college coaches are talked about the most entering this season? Here they are.

1. Deion Sanders, Colorado

— Who else? If he wins, it will be the talk of college football. And also, if he loses, plays closers than expected, gets blown out, or anything.

Apr 22, 2023; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the first half of the spring game at Folsom Filed.

2. Lincoln Riley, USC

— A lot of people are expecting a big step forward after last season, and they especially want to see how this defense plays after keeping Alex Grinch once more.

Jan 2, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts before the game against the Tulane Green Wave in the 2023 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium.

3. Ryan Day, Ohio State

— Can he beat Michigan? Can he go undefeated up until the Michigan game? That’s a lot of pressure and a lot of talk.

Nov 26, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day yells from the sideline during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium.

4. Nick Saban, Alabama

— Is the dynasty over? Has he been surpassed for good by Kirby Smart? This is as important a season for Saban since he started at Alabama.

Dec 4, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart greets Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban before the SEC championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

5. Steve Sarkisian, Texas

— The expectation is a Big 12 title. That’s a lot of pressure as they head off to the SEC.

Predicted Pac-12 Standings

— And finally, we have Matt Perkins’ predicted PAC 12 standings.

Top Half

1. Washington

2. USC

3. Oregon State

4. Utah

5. Oregon

6. UCLA

Nov 19, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) passes against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium.

I like Washington’s offense more than any singular unit in the conference, and I think that the Michael Penix Jr.-to-Rome Odunze combination will lead them to a title. USC’s offense is a close second to that of the Huskies, but I’m still concerned with their lack of ability to execute on defense in big games.

Jan 2, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) and offensive lineman Bobby Haskins (70) and offensive lineman Jonah Monheim (79) in action during the game between the USC Trojans and the Tulane Green Wave in the 2023 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium.

The Utes and Beavers are built very differently, but both teams have a really high floor. Oregon State has one of the top offensive lines in the country, and if they can get anything out of DJ Uiagalelei, they’ll be in really good shape. Utah has a brutal schedule, and even though I still think Kyle Whittingham is the best coach in the conference, I doubt they three-peat as Pac-12 champions because of that slate.

Dec 2, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham reacts after being doused with Gatorade in the second half of the Pac-12 Championship against the Southern California Trojans at Allegiant Stadium.

Oregon has a ton of talent, but the big question is will we see good Bo Nix again in 2023? Without Kenny Dillingham, that’s the pressing issue that needs to be addressed. It’s a quasi-rebuilding year in Westwood, but the Bruins still have significantly more talent on their roster and a more proven coach than anyone in the bottom half of this conference. If Dante Moore lives up to his promise as a true freshman, UCLA can be a tough out for anyone.

Nov 12, 2022; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) throws a pass during the first half against the Washington Huskies at Autzen Stadium.

Bottom Half

7. Arizona

8. Washington State

9. Cal

10. Arizona State

11. Colorado

12. Stanford

Sep 3, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Jacob Cowing (2) runs with the ball while defended by San Diego State Aztecs cornerback Dallas Branch (12) during the first half at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Even without Dorian Singer, the Wildcats still have a great receiving corps but lack any semblance of a defense. That should make for some fun games in the desert. Wazzu will struggle on the offensive line but has an outstanding edge rush combo in Brennan Jackson and Ron Stone Jr.

Oct 1, 2022; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars defensive end Brennan Jackson (80) celebrates after a tackle of California Golden Bears wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (7) in the second half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Washington State won 28-9.

Cal has a superstar in linebacker Jackson Sirmon but not a whole lot else on the roster. That being said, they’re in a better position than anyone else below them. Arizona State is a rebuild but has most of their easier games at home and should at least have a passable offense.

Oct 15, 2022; Boulder, Colorado, USA; California Golden Bears linebacker Jackson Sirmon (8) pulls in an interception in the first quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field.

The Colorado, I’m simply not buying into the Deion Sanders hype. Bringing 70 new players together – a lot of whom didn’t show up on campus until June, is a monumental task. And their schedule is doing them no favors either. I’ve got them finishing 3-9. Stanford’s first year under Troy Taylor may not be pretty, but they’re set up well for the future with one of the top 2024 recruiting classes in the nation.