Ranking the Best in the SEC

[Shame About Ray]

The SEC has long been the conference to beat in college football. Two BCS Championships courtesy of Florida and LSU only cement the belief around the country that the South has the best ball. Sure, Ohio State and Michigan have all the reputation and history. But the SEC is bringing home the BCS and decimating other teams in the process.

So what’s in store for this season? Glenn Dorsey left LSU for the NFL. Tim Tebow’s legend continues to grow in Florida. Darren McFadden ran all the way to the Oakland Raiders. What’s up and what’s down in the SEC and the world of college football betting? We’re here to clear the air.

Auburn Tigers (9-4 SU, 5-3 Conference)

The Tigers enter the season as +250 favorites to win the SEC - making them a great play this season. They lost a buzzer beater to LSU, while Georgia sent them packing to a minor bowl. Nobody is ready to roar more than these Tigers. They were 4-1 ATS as dogs last season and have 14 starters returning to action. The only problem may be finding a reliable quarterback – but all the other pieces are in place.

Georgia Bulldogs (11-2 SU, 6-2 Conference)

The Bulldogs are the AP Ranking’s top dog, they are also the obvious favorites to repeat as SEC champions. Georgia made plenty of money for their patrons with an 8-4 ATS record last season, and with plenty of starters returning to the fold, I expect them to continue that NCAAF betting trend.

LSU Tigers (12-2 SU, 6-2 Conference)

The reigning BCS Champions were only 6-7 ATS last season, making them a nightmare for their betting investors. They’ve also lost 10 senior starters including Dorsey, safety Craig Steltz and running-back Jacob Hester. Quarterback Matt Flynn is gone as well as Ryan Perrilloux who was booted from the team. A team with this much turmoil isn’t even worth a glance in the futures at +400. Not enough value with this amount of turbulence.

Tennessee Volunteers (10-4 SU, 6-2 Conference)

The Vols are +800 to win the SEC, but their disappointing (and frightening) start last season just doesn’t give them enough weight to instill the faith of the betting community to win the conference. But they were 8-2 ATS last season, mostly because they were hammered by the Gators 59-20 last season. They’re a fun team to watch, but without quarterback Erik Ainge, the identity of this team is up in the air. Don’t let your betting dollars float away just because you’re an alumni.

Florida Gators (9-4 SU, 5-3 Conference)

Florida only suffered four losses last season, but they were to big schools. They lost to LSU, Auburn, Georgia and finally Michigan in the Capital One Bowl. Many might bet getting swept up in Tim Tebow Fever, but this team still failed to make their betting detractors a ton of money last season. They’re +250 to win the SEC because of Percy Harvin and Tebow, but their defense was pilfered in the draft and that has always been their true strength.

Kentucky Wildcats (8-5 SU, 3-5 Conference)

It was fun while it lasted. Enjoy your +4000 odds to win the SEC, Wildcat country!

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[PlayBall]

The south has always had the best ball teams for as long as I can remember. We southerners play hard, love hard, drink hard, and bet hard. Get used to it, gonna be that way for a long time to come.