Every summer since 2007 I have created an intricate set of college football predictions for each upcoming season.  This year is no exception, as I will be using my blog over the next few hours to publish my 17th annual college football preview guide which will contain 18 entries in all. The records below reflect each team’s predicted regular season overall record followed by their conference record.  These records include conference title games for the two division champions but exclude bowl games which will be previewed later on in a separate column on this blog.  The teams marked in bold font are the ones predicted to gain bowl eligibility.  Without further ado, here are my predictions for the SEC in 2023, the last season before the nation’s top football conference adds two more powerhouse programs (Oklahoma and Texas) and dissolves its divisions.

West Division

1	Alabama (11-2, 7-1)- conference champion

Positional Strength: Defensive Backfield

Positional Weakness: Quarterback

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs. Georgia (December 2)- my predicted SEC championship game ends in an upset!

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: at Auburn (November 25)- bad combo for the the Tide as they have to play the coach that has owned them (Freeze) in the stadium that has given them nightmares (Jordan-Hare)

Bottom Line: We have never had a two loss team qualify for the College Football Playoff, though there have been several near misses, but I am calling for this year’s Bama squad to be the first and only two loss team to enter the CFP before it expands to 12 teams in 2024.  I know there are a lot of questions at quarterback for this team, but the same questions were asked before the 2014 season when Blake Sims and Jacob Coker were battling it out to QB1 for the Tide.  Sims emerged to take the starting job that season and Bama went on to win the SEC and play in the CFP.  Saban’s squads seem to flourish when they are overlooked and there is a chip on their shoulder, and this team certainly fits that bill.          

2	Ole Miss (9-3, 5-3)

Positional Strength: Running Back

Positional Weakness: Defensive Backfield

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs. LSU (September 30)- payback for the Rebs at the Bayou Bengals ruined Ole Miss’ perfect season last year.

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: vs. Arkansas (October 7)- the Rebels always have trouble in this series, as they have been favored in the last 11 contests against the Hogs, but have managed to lose 5 of those games including last season.

Bottom Line: The Rebels are on my list of national surprise teams for 2023, as they bring back 16 starters, including their starting quarterback, running back, and virtually the entire offensive line, from an eight win team that ranked eighth nationally in total offense.  I also think new coordinator Pete Golding will upgrade the defense, and make this team more complete on both sides of the ball. 

3	LSU (9-3, 5-3)

Positional Strength: Quarterback

Positional Weakness: Running Back

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs. Florida State (September 3)- huge revenge spot for the Tigers

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: at Missouri (October 7)- The Tigers of Missouri upset this team as a double digit dog in their last meeting three years ago, and I think they are capable of doing the same this season.

Bottom Line: The Tigers wildly exceeded my expectations for them in 2022 but it is asking a lot for them to take another step forward in 2023.  For one, LSU’s schedule is tougher in 2023 as they have four conference road games instead of three and have to travel to Tuscaloosa this season.  In addition, the Bayou Benagls won’t be catching anyone by surprise this year, as the opposition has had a year to evaluate Jayden Daniel’s play in Kelly’s offense. 

4	Arkansas (8-4, 4-4)

Positional Strength: Running Back

Positional Weakness: Wide Receiver

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: at Ole Miss (October 7)- the Hogs have seemingly owned the Rebels for over a decade now

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: vs. Mississippi State (October 21)- this is a tricky home letdown spot for the Hogs, as this game is sandwiched between huge road trips to Tuscaloosa and Gainesville

Bottom Line: Sam Pittman’s seat in Fayetteville is getting surprisingly warm after a disappointing 7-6 campaign last season.  I think the Hogs bounce back this year though, as K.J. Jefferson and Raheim Sanders make up one of the most potent QB/RB rushing duos in the entire country. 

5	Texas A & M (8-4, 4-4)

Positional Strength: Defensive Line

Positional Weakness: Linebacker

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs. Alabama (October 7)- Jimbo seems to have Saban’s number recently as he upset the Tide as an 18 point dog in 2021 and then almost beat them last year as a 24 point road dog.   

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: vs. Arkansas (September 30)- the Hogs are due a victory in this rivalry, as they have lost several excruciatingly close games to the Aggies over the past few seasons.

Bottom Line: A & M was one of my top disappointment picks in 2022, and they were worse than anyone could ever imagine as they dropped from preseason # 6 to a team with a losing overall record.  This year’s team has too much talent to fall short of a bowl game again, but they aren’t nearly good enough at the skill positions or in their linebacking corps to contend for a conference crown like some are predicting.

6	Auburn (5-7, 2-6)

Positional Strength: Defensive Backfield

Positional Weakness: Quarterback

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs. Alabama (November 25)- I am expecting Freeze to end his first year on a high note and a field storming, as they upset the Tide in their season finale.   

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: at Vanderbilt (November 4)- The Tigers have lost their last six straight SEC road games, and even more surprisingly, they have lost their last two road games against the Commodores.  

Bottom Line: Unlike Bryan Harsin, I think Hugh Freeze is an excellent hire that will eventually have great success on the Plains.  With that being said, I expect some year one struggles for this squad, as they lost their best offensive (Tank Bigsby) and defensive players (Owen Pappoe) from a year ago and still don’t have an SEC caliber quarterback. 

7	Mississippi State (6-6, 2-6)

Positional Strength: Quarterback

Positional Weakness: Defensive Backfield

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: at Arkansas (October 21) 

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: at Auburn (October 28)

Bottom Line: I think it is going to take a year or two for this program to successfully transition away from the Air Raid attack following the shocking death of Head Coach Mike Leach.  This squad also lost 7 defensive starters last season from a unit that was the clear strength of the team.  Fortunately, the Bulldogs have a cupcake non-conference schedule this season which will enable them to attain bowl eligibility for the 14th straight year. 

East Division

1	Georgia (12-1, 8-0)- conference runner-up

Positional Strength: Wide Receiver 

Positional Weakness: Quarterback

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: at Tennessee (November 18)

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: vs. Alabama (December 2)

Bottom Line: The Bulldogs will almost assuredly repeat as SEC East champions in 2023, as they have one of the easiest regular schedules in all of Power 5.  However, Georgia will then be making a huge step up in competition and have to win at least two out of their last three games (SEC title game and two CFP matchups) to win a third straight national title.  The Dawgs are certainly capable of pulling off the first three peat in the sport in over 85 years, but keep in mind that Bama has owned them in SEC play recently (7 straight losses to the Tide in conference games)  and Ohio State had them on the ropes in Atlanta last year during their CFP semifinal game.  I think the Dawgs ultimately lose to both of those teams in the 2023 postseason and fall just short of a back to back to back national championship.    

2	Tennessee (9-3, 5-3)

Positional Strength: Wide Receiver 

Positional Weakness: Linebacker

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: at Florida (September 16)- the Vols have lost 9 straight in the Swamp dating back to 2003, but this seems like the year the streak ends as Tennessee just has more talent and experience, especially offensively, than the Gators.  

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: at Kentucky (October 28)

Bottom Line: The Vols took their fans on a magical ride last season as the6 beat Alabama for the first time in 16 years and then went on to win the Orange Bowl over Clemson.  Josh Heupel is obviously building something special in Knoxville, but I think they take a slight step back in 2023 due to the fact they are losing their two best offensive players (Hendon Hooker and Jalin Hyatt) and their best pass rusher (Byron Young) from a year ago. 

3	South Carolina (7-5, 4-4)

Positional Strength: Quarterback

Positional Weakness: Linebacker

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs. North Carolina (September 2)- myself, my son, and College Gameday will be on hand for this monster opening game matchup next weekend!

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: at Missouri (October 2)- this is the one team that Beamer has struggled to beat in his two seasons at the helm in Columbia, as the Tigers have now won four straight against the Cocks including a 13 point win last year as a 3 point road underdog.  

Bottom Line: Head coach Shane Bamer and star quarterback Spencer Rattler have infused a ton of positive momentum into this program heading into 2023 after their shocking wins over Tennessee in Clemson at the end of last season.  The problem is that the Cocks lost their top two rushers and a total of seven defensive starters from a year ago and play a brutal schedule that features road trips to Athens, Knoxville, and College Station.  The Cocks may be improved in year 3 under Beamer but I don’t think that will ultimately be reflected in the win/loss column.

4	Kentucky (7-5, 3-5)

Positional Strength: Quarterback

Positional Weakness: Offensive Line

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs.Tennessee (October 28)- payback for the Cats after their embarrassing loss in Knoxville last year.  

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: at Mississippi State (November 4)- The Cats are 0-15 on the road against SEC West foes, a drought that dates back to before Mark Stoops took over this program in 2012.  

Bottom Line: The Cats started the year with an impressive 4 game winning streak in 2022 and then saw their season spiral downward after that.  This year they should be better offensively following the return of coordinator Liam Cohn and the arrival of quarterback Devin Leary from NC State.  Unfortunately, the Cats also lose over half of their defensive starters, including almost the entire secondary from last season.  Kentucky should once again get off to a great start in 2023 ,but there are bound to be a series of losses down the stretch of the season, as the Cats must play Florida, Tennessee, and Alabama at home while also traveling to Athens, Starkville, and Columbia during their final seven game stretch of 2023.

4	Florida (6-6, 3-5)

Positional Strength: Running Back

Positional Weakness: Quarterback

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs.Florida State (November 25)

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: at Missouri (November 18)- The Tigers have struggled over the years against Mizzou, especially on the road.

Bottom Line: I have talked about tough SEC schedules for several teams now but nothing compares to the gauntlet Florida faces.  The Gators open on the road against # 11 Utah and will end up playing six teams in the top 25 and five in the top 12!  To make matters worse, four of those six games are away from home.  Florida may be much improved in year 2 under Billy Napier, but it likely won’t show in the win/loss record, as most any team in the country would struggle to make a bowl game with this schedule. 

4	Missouri (6-6, 3-5)

Positional Strength: Defensive Backfield

Positional Weakness: Offensive Line

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs. LSU (Oct 7)- These Tigers upset the Bayou Bengals as a double digit dog in their last meeting three years ago, and I think they are capable of doing the same this season.

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: at Vanderbilt (September 30)- the Commodores had Mizzou on the ropes on the road last season, and I think they finish the job in Nashville in 2023. 

Bottom Line: You got to hand it to this Missouri football program.  Despite being an afterthought every year in this league, they have found a way to either have a winning record or make a bowl game in six straight seasons.  I am calling for that streak continue in 2023, as the Tigers bring back eight starters from an underrated defense as well as their starting quarterback and running back. 

7	Vanderbilt (5-7, 2-6)

Positional Strength: Linebacker

Positional Weakness: Defensive Line

Biggest Predicted Win of the Year: vs. LSU (Oct 7)- These Tigers upset the Bayou Bengals as a double digit dog in their last meeting three years ago, and I think they are capable of doing the same this season.

Worst Predicted Loss of the Year: at Vanderbilt (September 30)- the Commodores had Mizzou on the ropes on the road last season, and I think they finish the job in Nashville in 2023. 

 Bottom Line: Clark Lea is really building something in Nashville as he got the Commodores onto the doorstep of bowl eligibility in just his second year at the helm.  Vandy brings a lot back this year, including their starting quarterback, top three receivers, and 12 other starters on both sides of the bowl.  Nevertheless, it is always going to take several upsets for Vanderbilt to make it to bowl eligibility, and I think they fall just short of that mark again in 2023.