ESPN writer Bill Connelly has released his annual SEC conference preview, and for the first time in several years, the Alabama Crimson Tide aren’t projected to finish in the league’s top two, being ranked behind Georgia and Texas.
UA’s relative fall from grace can be attributed to the depth of the league. Per Connelly’s SP+ rating system, the SEC is projected to have 10 of the nation’s top 25 teams this fall.
“One of the biggest metaphorical land grabs in the history of conference realignment has officially come to fruition: This fall, Oklahoma and Texas will start play in what was already the strongest, deepest conference in the sport,” writes Connelly.
Despite ranking the Crimson Tide’s schedule as the tenth-hardest in the nation, Connelly is optimistic in new coach Kalen DeBoer’s chances of success in Tuscaloosa, and doesn’t rule out the Tide as a conference title contender in 2024.
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“It’s going to be almost impossible to replicate the accomplishments of the greatest coach of all time,” writes Connelly. “Luckily for Kalen DeBoer, his day job is far too involved to worry about legacies. He’s got a team to coach, and standards aside, it will be an awfully good one.”
Connelly praises Alabama’s “excellent” offensive line, singling out guard Tyler Booker, tackle Kadyn Proctor, and center Parker Brailsford, and calls Jalen Milroe “one of the scariest quarterbacks in the country.”
Connelly is lower on Auburn, putting the Tigers in a category of teams “just looking for a path to 6-6.”
“It feels like 2024 will be another transition year,” he writes. “Freeze fired one coordinator, lost another and brought in newcomers in Derrick Nix (offense) and DJ Durkin (defense). A shaky offense enjoys solid continuity while a solid defense lost 10 of 17 players with at least 250 snaps.”
Charles Vaughan is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News.
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