CSD MAG TEASER: Which SEC team is most likely to dethrone ‘Bama?

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Which SEC Team is most likely to dethrone ‘Bama?
Last year, Alabama went into bowl season with 13 wins, the next best team in the SEC had eight. For the past six seasons, Alabama has had either zero or one loss in SEC play, making it incredibly hard for any other SEC West team to make it to the SEC Championship game, and during that six year span, Alabama is a perfect 17-0 against teams from the SEC East. So the question is, what team is most likely to win the SEC Championship if it isn’t Nick Saban’s Alabama? They say to never bet against Saban, but I will explore three possible options, in no particular order.
First up, Auburn. I know the Tigers had a spotty 2016, but Gus Malzahn has been known to take a team that seems like another average Auburn squad and take them to championship heights. With Jarrett Stidham in at quarterback, the Baylor transfer has the chance to make a huge impact in the Malzahn system. Stidham’s recieving core isn’t ideal, but with last year’s stud running back Kam Pettway returning, the run game should take some pressure off of the young recieving core. We’ve seen Malzahn work his magic with former JUCO quarterbacks before, and with a new offensive coordinator, we could see Auburn make a run at the title
Second choice, Florida. The Gators have won the SEC East both years under Jim McElwain, but for some reason it doens’t feel like enough, this could be the year to make that leap. The Gators defense, although young, won’t be a problem. The problem will be the offense, which has struggled for years in Gainesville. This team will win at least seven games, but for them to make that leap to SEC Title contender, they will need redshirt freshman Felepie Franks to have a great year. Franks was just outside the top 50 players in the 2015 recruiting class, and was the #5 ranked quarterback by 247sports. I don’t trust his inexperience, but Jalen Hurts showed us that freshman quarterbacks can succeed in the SEC.
LSU is the wild card in this scenario. They have completely revamped their coaching staff after the firing of Les Miles. Ed Orgeron is now in as the permanent head coach, and perhaps more importantly, Orgeron got Matt Canada to come to Baton Rouge. Canda was the offensive coordinator at Pittsburgh who helped revamp the Panthers offense, and helped Nathan Peterman develop into an NFL prospect. The big question will be the quarterback play, as the Tigers played two different starters last year, and they bring in two new freshman. The Tigers will almost assuredly lean on their star runningback Darrius Guice, but he can’t do it alone.
The Verdict
It’s got to be LSU. They are the only team that has recruited on the same level as Alabama, and while the coaching staff is completely redone on the offensive side, much of the defensive staff has remained the same. LSU’s defense stumped Jalen Hurts last year, and if they can do that again, and actually put some points on the board this time, the Tigers have a shot at knocking off Nick Saban. But. You know what they say, never bet against Nick Saban.