The expanded, deeper and extra brutal SEC is able to make its grand debut.
After what appeared like a decade of chatter, Oklahoma and Texas are lastly within the convention, and the Large 12 castaways usually are not right here to shake arms and part into the group as couple of pleasant faces within the background. The battlefield within the SEC has by no means been greater or featured this a lot expertise. At the least half a dozen groups can declare respectable SEC championship hopes — and practically half of the 16-team convention has eyes on a berth within the first 12-team School Soccer Playoff.
This fall would not simply usher in a brand new period for the SEC, it is also a brand new starting at Alabama as Kalen DeBoer takes over for Nick Saban, the best coach of all time. At Ole Miss, it is a preseason stuffed with desires of titles after a record-breaking 11-win season final 12 months. Mizzou is a newly-minted contender, too, after an 11-win season of its personal. Georgia is once more on the hunt with one of the best file in school soccer during the last three seasons (42-2). Texas A&M has a brand new coach in Mike Elko. In the meantime, Florida’s Billy Napier and Arkansas’ Sam Pittman enter make-or-break seasons.
Life within the SEC has all the time been tough, and managing expectations among the many fanatical is virtually inconceivable. Nonetheless, there are exhausting truths among the many fervor. Because the SEC begins its media days in Dallas, 247Sports surveyed its deep roster of insiders overlaying the league to gather one of the best intel on the precise temperature and temper at every program heading into the 2024 season. We requested every insider the next questions:
- In comparison with the common preseason, fan anticipation for this season is excessive, medium or low? Why?
- What file could be a satisfactory season for the workforce you cowl?
- Your fanbase’s response to the new-look SEC is …
- Is NIL alignment at your program above common, common or beneath common. Why?
- What subject retains your fanbase up at night time?
Let’s get began.
ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
In comparison with the common preseason, fan anticipation for this season is excessive, medium or low? Why?
Excessive. Alabama followers are each excited to see the brand new product on the sector below Kalen DeBoer but in addition possibly just a little nervous to see what it seems like with out Nick Saban patrolling the sidelines. Change is all the time bizarre, proper? There’s been a whole lot of good recruiting vibes this offseason with the No. 2 Class in 2025 and followers are excited to see what an offensive-minded coach can do with all of the expertise at the moment on the roster. Plus, with Texas and Oklahoma now within the SEC and the enlargement of the School Soccer Playoff, followers could not fret as a lot over an early-season loss — like, say, to Georgia in Week 5, ought to that occur.
What file could be a satisfactory season for Alabama?
10-2 could be satisfactory if solely as a result of that ought to be sufficient to get into the expanded playoff. However 9-3 would even be satisfactory if it is the suitable 9-3. Not all wins and losses are the identical. If Alabama loses to Georgia, Tennessee (on the highway), and LSU (on the highway), followers may be bummed out, as a result of 9-3 could not get to the playoff, however these highway losses could be at the very least comprehensible given the opponents and places within the first 12 months of a training change. If Alabama loses to Wisconsin early and Oklahoma later within the 12 months as a part of a 9-3 end, then followers may be upset over the missed alternatives.
Your fanbase’s response to the new-look SEC is …
Pleasure. There’s positively a stage of pleasure about including Texas and Oklahoma. The oldsters on our board paid consideration earlier this month when each colleges threw their ‘We’re In The SEC Now’ events on campus. They did not take too kindly to a number of the feedback Texas AD Chris Del Conte mentioned, notably the entire “it is their Tremendous Bowl” when different groups play Texas. A part of that’s the truth that the Longhorns beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa final season. That is a workforce Alabama followers need to each play and beat this season (which may solely occur within the SEC Championship sport or the School Soccer Playoff).
Is NIL alignment at your program above common, common or beneath common. Why?
About common. There was a concerted effort beginning final season to construct up Yea Alabama, the Tide’s NIL collective, and that push continued following Saban’s retirement. DeBoer has continued to push for extra NIL funds and sources, too. It is higher than it has been and continues to enhance.
What subject retains your fanbase up at night time?
New faces at a handful of key positions, resembling edge rusher, cornerback, receiver, and offensive deal with. Who replaces Dallas Turner? Will true freshmen get some critical snaps at nook and receiver? Who will begin at proper deal with? There is a ton of expertise on this roster, and we expect they will be fairly good this 12 months even with the teaching change and roster turnover, however when this system and followers count on to compete for convention titles and playoff spots, these issues matter all of the extra. The primary few weeks of the season will reveal loads.
ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS
In comparison with the common preseason, fan anticipation for this season is excessive, medium or low? Why?
Low. Bobby Petrino returning to Fayetteville as offensive coordinator is sufficient to preserve Razorback followers , however anticipation stage for the upcoming season stays low for a few causes. Many followers have a tough time forgetting how poorly the Hogs performed final 12 months and, whereas admitting Arkansas made some good strikes right here and there within the offseason, there are nonetheless a ton of query marks throughout the depth chart. On high of that, Arkansas’ first 5 weeks embrace stops at Oklahoma State, Auburn, and Arlington, the place they will face Texas A&M.
