2014 College Football Picks and Predictions: SEC Title Odds, Favorites, Contenders and Sleepers

2014 College Football Picks and Predictions: SEC Title Odds, Favorites, Contenders and Sleepers: Although the SEC’s reign as national champs finally came to an end last year, there is little doubt that the conference remains the deepest and toughest in the country. The Auburn Tigers eventually emerged as conference champions last season, defeating the Missouri Tigers in the SEC title game, but with Alabama, LSU, Texas A&M, and South Carolina, six teams finished the year ranked in the top 20 with three ranked in the top five. It looks like more of the same in 2014, and while the SEC West appears to be the deeper of the two divisions, the East has a couple of strong teams, as well. With that in mind, here is a closer look at the teams that could emerge from the SEC in 2014.

The Favorites

It took one of the craziest plays in recent memory to end the reign of the Alabama Crimson Tide, but Nick Saban and company should be right back in the mix for an SEC and a national title in 2014. Several talented options are vying to replace A.J. McCarron and quarterback, but with a loaded offensive line, running back T.J. Yeldon and receiver Amari Cooper among the pieces in place, whoever ends up under center won’t have to do it alone. Granted, the defense only has four returning starters, but there is plenty of elite talent waiting to slide into place. In fact, the pass rush might be better this year thanks to depth along the defensive line. A road game against LSU and home game against Auburn will likely decide Alabama’s season.

After nearly winning a national title this year, the Auburn Tigers will welcome back seven starters on offense and six on defense for the 2014 campaign. More importantly, dynamic dual-threat quarterback Nick Marshall is one of the starters coming back, along with four starters for an offensive line that paved the way for the country’s best rushing attack a year ago. Auburn is also loaded in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball. With a Heisman candidate in Marshall engineering the offense and the ability to bully people in trenches on both sides of the ball, the Tigers should be back in the mix for another conference crown. There is a very real possibility that the Iron Bowl against Alabama will decide the SEC West once again.

The Contenders

Although a SEC title continues to elude the South Carolina Gamecocks, they have consistently been in the mix in the SEC East, and that shouldn’t change in 2014. Star running back Mike Davis will run behind a big offensive line that returns four starters. Meanwhile, quarterback Dylan Thompson has shown flashes of being a dual-threat weapon. Defensively, the Gamecocks welcome back six starters, and although Jadeveon Clowney isn’t among them, South Carolina still has plenty of muscle along the defensive front. A road game against Auburn will be tough, but if the Gamecocks take care of business at home against Georgia, they will stay have control of their division.

Even though six players left early for the NFL, the LSU Tigers still have the muscle in the trenches that make them a perennial contender in the SEC.  Four starters are back along the offensive line, and backs Terrence Magee and Kenny Hillard form a dynamic duo in the backfield. Defensively, defensive end Jermauria Rosco heads a stout pass rush, and the secondary should be much improved after injuries took their toll last year. The line question mark for the Tigers is their passing attack, but Anthony Jennings’ ability to make plays outside the pocket with his legs could make up for the loss of star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and quarterback Zach Mettenberger. LSU will pound opponents on both sides of the ball and be in the mix in the loaded SEC West.

The Sleeper

Replacing one of the most productive quarterbacks in SEC history won’t be easy, but the Georgia Bulldogs shouldn’t be counted out just yet. After all, Todd Gurley, who might be the best running back in the country, is waiting to shoulder the offensive load, and fellow back Keith Marshall provides an excellent counterpunch. Meanwhile, Georgia’s receiving corps will be healthy after an injury-plagued 2013 season, giving new starter Hutson Mason plenty of weapons to work with. On the other side of the ball, nine starters are back for a defense that underachieved at times, but the experience certainly can’t hurt. Playing South Carolina on the road early in the year isn’t ideal, but if the Bulldogs can beat the Gamecocks or if the Gamecocks slip up elsewhere, Georgia should be waiting to take the SEC East and have a shot at winning the conference crown.

Odds To Win The SEC
Alabama +100
Auburn +500
Arkansas +7500
Florida +1000
Georgia +500
Kentucky +10000
LSU +400
Mississippi State +3000
Missouri +2800
Ole Miss +1200
South Carolina +400
Tennessee +2000
Texas A&M +3000
Vanderbilt +25000

Odds To Win The SEC East
Florida +350
Georgia +250
Missouri +1200
South Carolina +200
Tennessee +1000
Vanderbilt +10000
Kentucky +5000

Odds To Win The SEC West Division
Alabama -250
Arkansas +5000
Auburn +250
LSU +250
Mississippi +500
Mississippi State +1800
Texas A&M +1500