SEC Potential Disappointment
Georgia Bulldogs (sort of)
I can’t do it.
I want to put Alabama here only because anything less than winning a national title is seen by many in Tuscaloosa as a total disaster, and this year might be one of the tougher four-team fields ever – if all goes to plan.
But I can’t. That defense is too good, the schedule too manageable, and I’ve learned my lesson to never underestimate that program as long as that guy is still the head coach.
The problem, though, is that I honestly think almost every SEC team will match, exceed, or come close to its projected win total.
Georgia was on this list last year, too, with the belief that anything less than a trip to the SEC Championship would be a total disappointment. The program still has too much talent to not be in the College Football Playoff, and it’s still way too good to not be pushing for the SEC Championship.
It’s got the ability to beat Clemson to start the season, and the upside is there to rip through everyone else along the way.
There’s no Alabama on the schedule like last year, and there’s no one other than Clemson who should be too much of a problem if JT Daniels is healthy and everything is going right.
But again, if this is all about expectations, 11 wins, an SEC East title, and a trip to the College Football Playoff are all right where things should be for the Dawgs. Anything less doesn’t work.
So where could the losses come?
Taking out the possibility of an unforeseen meltdown – like the 20-17 loss to South Carolina in 2019 – Clemson (in Charlotte), at Auburn, Florida (in Jacksonville), and …
That’s it. That’s why the expectations are cranked up so high – the schedule is doable with no Texas A&M, or LSU, or Crimson Tide.
But lose one of the three games and drop the SEC Championship, and being No. 5 in the College Football Playoff race doesn’t work.
– CFN 2021 Preview: All 130 Team Previews
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21 for 2021 Preview Topics (so far)
21. Thoughts, Wishes, Hopes for 2021
20. Best Teams To Not Make CFP
19: Teams That Will Rebound Big
18. Teams That Will Fall Back
17: Every Power 5 Team’s Letdown Game
16. Expectations For New Head Coaches
15. Expectations For 2nd Year Head Coaches
14. Power 5 Hot Seat Coach Rankings
13. 21 Key Transfers You Need To Know
12. Group of 5 over Power 5 Upset Alerts
11. 5 of College Football’s New Superstars
10. Group of 5 Teams In New Year’s Six Hunt0
9. Power 5 Sleeper Teams
8. Ranking The Power 5 Quarterback Battles