In the 16 years since Nick Saban took over as Alabama head coach, they have been the questioned kings of college football. The 70-year-old Saban has taken the Crimson Tide to nine National Championship games, and they’ve won an astonishing six of them.
Year in and year out, Alabama is usually a factor in the title picture, and Saban is to thank.
But after the rival Georgia Bulldogs tore Saban’s crew apart last January, it might be fair to wonder whether there’s more vulnerability in the Alabama crew than most think. And entering 2022, the SEC, on the whole, looks absolutely stacked on paper. To even return to January and make up for last winter’s failure, there’s a gauntlet ahead of the Crimson Tide.
Here’s a rundown of the preseason favorites in the SEC as Saban and Alabama try to climb over a metaphorical mountain of competitors. All odds and ends are courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook as of Week 0.
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14
Vanderbilt Commodores (+50000)
A 2-10 team last year with minimal notable players added this season. Stay away from the Commodores. So far away.
13
Missouri Tigers (+30000)
Brady Cook seems like a potentially nice starter at QB based on an extremely small sample size. But that’s also based on the Tigers’ relatively low standards compared to the rest of the SEC. Every now and then, Missouri pulls a great season out of a magician’s hat. 2022 won’t be one of those years.
12
Mississippi State (+10000)
The Bulldogs have eight returning starters on both sides of the ball in Mike Leach’s third season as head coach. With a pass-happy offense led by Will Rogers, if Mississippi State can get through a tough schedule, this squad might be a legitimate SEC dark horse.
11
South Carolina Gamecocks (+10000)
The Gamecocks are led by transfer Spencer Rattler, who will likely be in the mix to play on Sundays next fall. This Gamecock squad isn’t very noteworthy overall, but a talented QB can lift the tide a bit.
10
Auburn Tigers (+10000)
Let’s check in on Auburn football 2022:
Bryan Harsin on the QB position: "We'll have one." https://t.co/QgALoHvGnZ
— Tom Green (@Tomas_Verde) August 25, 2022
Sounds like it’s going well!
9
LSU Tigers (+6000)
Brian Kelly might have changed his accent for Louisiana, but I don’t see how that’s going to help a team with a lot of turnover from last season.
8
Kentucky Wildcats (+5000)
Football school Kentucky is coming off a 10-win season while returning a majority of starters on both sides of the ball. I like the Wildcats as a sneaky SEC pick.
7
Arkansas Football (+5000)
Even with Treylon Burks’ departure to the NFL, there’s enough talent around rising signal-caller K.J. Jefferson to think that the Razorbacks can build on their 9-4 campaign from last year.
6
Ole Miss Rebels (+5000)
Even with his big personality, Lane Kiffin might be one of the best coaches in college football. Based on his second year with Rebels, where they made the Sugar Bowl — he very well might turn Ole Miss into a consistent powerhouse.
5
Florida Gators (+4000)
Anthony Richardson is a sleeper Heisman pick if he can reach his potential and Billy Napier might be the perfect steady hand at coach after Dan Mullen’s departure.
4
Tennessee Volunteers (+4000)
It’s been a long time since the Volunteers were anything worth writing home about. With the promising Hendon Hooker at the head of an explosive offense and Byron Young leading the way for a stiff front seven, Tennessee football is on the upswing.
3
Texas A&M Aggies (+1500)
Jimbo Fisher’s war of words with Nick Saban aside, this Aggies squad is brimming with young talent, especially on defense with guys like Walter Nolan and Shemar Stewart. They just might back up their coach’s words this fall.
2
Georgia Bulldogs (+150)
Led by Jordan Davis, defending National Champion Georgia had a prolific, stifling defense. Kirby Smart’s crew lost a lot of talent to the big leagues, but they should be as stiff in defending their title this year.
1
Alabama Crimson Tide (-160)
As long as Nick Saban is coach, Alabama should usually be the preseason favorite. Even after losing last year’s Championship Game to the rival Bulldogs, the Crimson Tide return Bryce Young — a likely top-2 pick in next April’s draft — defensive superstar Will Anderson and so much more on a loaded squad. They’re not necessarily as invincible as they used to be, but there’s a reason oddsmakers have the Crimson Tide as the SEC darling once again.
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