SEC West Rankings: Spring Version
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
2020: 13-0 2019: 11-2 2018: 14-1
As always, Alabama lost a ton of talent to the NFL. And, as always, it’s got what might just be the best team in the country. It’s truly Next Man Up across the board helped by a few fantastic transfers.
RB Jahmyr Gibbs comes in from Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt’s Tyler Steen should take over one of the tackle spots, and former LSU Tiger Eli Ricks is a great corner get.
Oh yeah, and there’s still a Heisman winner under center (Bryce Young) and possibly the first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft in Will Anderson leading the defensive front.
There’s a trip to Texas, and going to Tennessee, LSU, Arkansas, and Ole Miss won’t be layups, but it’s not a bad overall schedule. There’s no Georgia or Florida from the East, Texas A&M, Mississippi State is a home game, and Bama will be the heavy favorite in each game.
Realistic Best Case Record: 12-0
Realistic Worst Case Record: 8-4
2022 Alabama Prediction, Spring Football Version: 11-1
CFN 2021 Spring Prediction: 11-1
Alabama 2021 Final Record: 13-2
– Alabama 2022 Schedule & Analysis
2. Texas A&M Aggies
2020: 9-1 2019: 8-5 2018: 9-4
How good is the Texas A&M defensive front? The offense has a slew of excellent parts, the line will be fine, and the defensive back eight will be solid.
As long as the Aggies can be nasty up front – and as soon as the amazing recruiting class can kick in – this should be Jimbo Fisher’s best team yet.
The schedule helps with a likely 5-0 start before going to Alabama. With no Georgia on the slate and with Florida, LSU, and Ole Miss at home, look out.
Realistic Best Case Record: 11-1
Realistic Worst Case Record: 8-4
2022 Texas A&M Aggies Prediction, Spring Football Version: 10-2
CFN 2021 Spring Prediction: 10-2
Texas A&M Aggies 2021 Final Record: 8-4
– Texas A&M Aggies 2022 Schedule & Analysis
3. Ole Miss Rebels
2020: 5-5 2019: 4-8 2018: 5-7
The Rebels lost a TON of talent, but no one was more active in the transfer portal, and no one in the SEC did more to upgrade the talent at certain spots.
The offensive backfield is terrific with USC QB Jaxson Dart and TCU RB Zach Evans about to go off. The D is loaded with veteran transfer parts to at least help the depth, if not create a slew of good starters.
Troy, Central Arkansas, at Georgia Tech, Tulsa. Throw in a home game against Kentucky and a trip to Vanderbilt, and the Rebels should get off to a massive start. However, they have to go to Texas A&M, LSU, and Arkansas. However, they get Alabama, Auburn, and Mississippi State at home.
Realistic Best Case Record: 10-2
Realistic Worst Case Record: 7-5
2022 Ole Miss Prediction, Spring Football Version: 8-4
CFN 2021 Spring Prediction: 8-4
Ole Miss 2021 Final Record: 10-3
– Ole Miss 2022 Schedule & Analysis
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4. LSU Tigers
2020: 5-5 2019: 15-0 2018: 10-3
Brian Kelly has a whole lot of talent to work with. No, he doesn’t have the 2019 Tigers, but he worked the transfer portal hard, has a nice base starting with a loaded receiving corps, and he got Jayden Daniels from Arizona State to work into the quarterback derby. As long as the O line comes together, the attack will be fine.
The defense gave up a ton of parts to the next level, but the transfer portal restocked the secondary, the pass rushers – BJ Ojulari and Ali Gaye – will be great, and there’s surprisingly strong depth.
Florida State is the tone-setter to kick things off as the Tigers only leave Louisiana once until mid-October. Alabama is a home game, but going to Texas A&M, Arkansas, Florida, and Auburn will be a problem.
Realistic Best Case Record: 10-2
Realistic Worst Case Record: 6-6
2022 LSU Prediction, Spring Football Version: 9-3
CFN 2021 Spring Prediction: 9-3
LSU 2021 Final Record: 6-7
– LSU 2022 Schedule & Analysis
5. Arkansas Razorbacks
2020: 3-7 2019: 2-10 2018: 2-10
Coming off a breakthrough season, the Hogs are loaded in some areas and needing to overcome a few major losses in others. The receiving corps lost a ton, but it brings in Jadon Haselwood from Oklahoma. The O line is solid, KJ Jefferson is back at quarterback, and the defensive back eight is strong. Now the front three has to come together.
Cincinnati – it’s not the same teams last year – kicks off the season, and with South Carolina, Texas A&M, and Alabama all within the first five games, it’s going to be a grind early. It’s going to be a fight to get to bowl eligibility with ease, but it’ll happen.
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2022 Arkansas Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5
CFN 2021 Spring Prediction: 5-7
Arkansas 2021 Final Record: 9-4
– Arkansas 2022 Schedule & Analysis
6. Auburn Tigers
2020: 6-5 2019: 9-4 2018: 8-5
Auburn has had a rough run – head coach Bryan Harsin has had a few things to push past – but he’s got a nice offense returning with a whole lot of good options for the line, good transfers to battle for the quarterback job, and dangerous skill spots. The defense, though, is undergoing a bit of an overhaul with a slew of transfers and new parts playing big roles.
It helps to start the season with Mercer and San Jose State, and beginning with five straight home games is a big plus. However, the Tigers have to go to Ole Miss, Georgia, and Alabama. As long as they can own Jordan-Hare, they’ll be in for a strong season.
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2022 Auburn Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5
CFN 2021 Spring Prediction: 7-5
Auburn 2021 Final Record: 6-7
– Auburn 2022 Schedule & Analysis
7. Mississippi State Bulldogs
2020: 4-7 2019: 6-7 2018: 8-5
The Bulldogs lose star OT Charles Cross and a few other good parts, but for the most part they return loaded with experience and talent. QB Will Rogers will put up massive numbers, the defense is fantastic on the front six, and there are just enough transfers to help beef up parts, especially in the secondary.
As long as they can get by Memphis – not a given – and not slip at Arizona, it should be a good start to the year with a whole lot of big games in Starkville. A big start is a must with at Alabama, Georgia, Auburn, and at Ole Miss over the second half. The team will likely be better than the final record.
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Realistic Worst Case Record: 5-7
2022 Miss State Prediction, Spring Football Version: 6-6
CFN 2021 Spring Prediction: 7-5
Mississippi State 2021 Final Record: 7-6
– Mississippi State 2022 Schedule & Analysis
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