2014 SEC Preview: Betting Futures
The SEC is the best football conference in the country. That really isn’t even up for debate at this time. Auburn fell short of continuing the SEC BCS title winners going, but the conference was easily the best from top to bottom again last year.
Alabama, Auburn, and LSU are all perennial national title contenders at this point. South Carolina and Georgia are right on their heels.
Teams like Mississippi State and Mississippi are no longer cellar dwellers. Once conference play starts, there aren’t many boring games in the Southeastern Conference. Let’s take a look at some of the key contenders.
All odds listed are courtesy of BetOnline.
Alabama Crimson Tide (+130)
The Crimson Tide definitely have more question marks than they have had in other years, but they also have some amazing strengths. The defense is going to be downright nasty. The defensive line is loaded with talent and depth and the secondary is just as good.
Trey DePriest is a very good leader in the middle of the group of linebackers. There isn’t a single weakness on this Alabama defense. The quarterback spot is a question mark, but the rest of the offense should be very good. Yeldon is the best back in the league and the receivers are exceptional. Expect another great year from the Crimson Tide.
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South Carolina Gamecocks (+450)
I really like what Steve Spurrier has done with this program, but they have some significant shoes to fill. Obviously Clowney is one of them, but so is Connor Shaw. Dylan Thompson has had time at the quarterback spot, but Shaw came up big in the big moments in the past.
South Carolina’s defensive line goes from one of the best in the country to a weakness. The Gamecocks offensive line is the best in the SEC though, and they should be able to run the ball against everyone they play. A slight step back, but they are still very good.
Auburn Tigers (+450)
Auburn was tantalizingly close to picking up a second national title in the past four years last season. All they needed was one stop, but they couldn’t quite get it. The Tigers offense was amazing last year, and they should be just as good this year even without Tre Mason.
I’m thoroughly impressed with Gus Malzahn’s offense. There are so many options that it’s next to impossible to defend. Marshall should be even better this year at the quarterback spot. The defense should be better, but their schedule is extremely difficult. They have a high upside, but the schedule makes them tough to pick.
LSU Tigers (+600)
There’s a couple ways to look at this team. I’m definitely concerned about the drop off at quarterback. Zach Mettenberger was really good last year. Whoever starts this season isn’t going to be as good as he was last year. Still, Les Miles always recruits well and the rest of this team will be good.
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The defense is going to have to carry the load in a big way. It’s hard to predict a bad season for LSU because it virtually never happens, but I don’t think this team is one of the top four in the SEC. LSU takes a step back this season.
Georgia Bulldogs (+800)
I’m really high on Georgia in the 2014 season. Hutson Mason got a lot of playing time when Aaron Murray was hurt late last year, and that will help this year’s team in a big way. Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall may be the best one-two running back tandem in the country. Georgia comes in with lower expectations and I think that will help here. This defense wasn’t good last year, but they should be much improved in 2014. The Bulldogs are a real sleeper team for me.
Florida Gators (+1,200)
Will Muschamp isn’t going to last long at Florida with 4-8 seasons. He’ll get another chance or two, but this is a program that expects to be competing for a national title, not losing games to Georgia Southern when they are favored by 28 points. The offensive line was the undoing of the offense last year.
They’ll have to be much better if Florida is going to be competitive this year. The defensive line is one of the best in the country. Vernon Hargreaves is a star in the secondary. Still not enough to be considered a contender in the SEC.
SEC Conference Pick: Georgia (+800)
Alabama would be the safest pick, but I always look for the best value. Georgia plays in the weak side of the division, and the Bulldogs have a very manageable schedule.
The Bulldogs have a very real chance of playing in the SEC title game, which means +800 is a great value.
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