By: Ryan Moreland (@ryanmoreland)
Last, but certainly not least, is the SEC. Gone is Kentucky, and LSU is back. How will that impact the way the ADs see this conference?
Let’s take a look at how this conference ended last season.
Last Season Standings
| Rank | Team | Regular Season Record |
| 1 | Alabama* | 8-0 |
| 2 | Florida* | 5-3 |
| 3 | Auburn* | 5-3 |
| 4 | Georgia | 2-6 |
| 5 | Tennessee | 3-5 |
| 6 | Kentucky | 0-8 |
AD Coaches’ Poll
| Projected Finish | Team | First Place Votes |
| 1 | Alabama | 5 |
| 2 | Auburn | 1 |
| 3 | Florida | – |
| 4 | Georgia | – |
| 5 | LSU | – |
| 6 | Tennessee | – |
Alabama tied Texas A&M for the most points, separating first and second place in the polls this season. They are also the only team to get all five possible first-place votes. The ADs seem confident that the Crimson Tide are set for another big season.
After Alabama, things get much tighter. Auburn and Florida tied for second place in the poll, but the Tigers will win the tie since Auburn had a first-place vote. The same is true for Georgia and LSU, who also tied. Neither team had first or second-place votes, but Georgia did pick up a pair of third-place votes, which puts them over LSU. Tennessee didn’t fall far behind. They were only three points behind the Bulldogs and Tigers.
The SEC has been dominated by the two Alabama schools (and former member Kentucky) for a long time. Florida seems like the best threat to unseat them, at least according to the coaches. Will that happen or will the Iron Bowl once again decide the SEC?
