The SEC is as always, loaded with talent. But this is the first time in forever that I can say the SEC doesn't have a truly elite team. Were loaded with good teams, but nobody really stands out.

Alabama isn't elite this season. They don't have a QB that will win any games for them this year. They're breaking in a brand new offensive line and Cam Robinson can't do it all on his own. I'm extremely skeptical of their RBs. He and Drake got so many carries that we don't know how good Scarbrough and Harris are. I don't care how big Bo's arms are. That's not going to magically fix his inexperience. Bama's defense is overrated, too. They played fantastic against LSU up front. They spilled the ball outside every play, causing Fournette to have to create a new point of attack. They play great base defense, but struggle in nickel/dime defenses. That's why Clemson and Ole Miss scored so much. They still have a slight issue playing in space. I think Bama starts off slowly because they'll struggle to find an identity. They'll eventually get it together, Saban's gonna Saban, and they'll finish with a solid 10-2 record.

I want to like LSU, but they're a one-trick-pony. It's not the scheme, it's the personnel. Harris doesn't have many great weapons to throw to. All he has is Travin Dural, who's fast as lightning but that's about it. Cam Cameron will do exactly what every OC should do in this situation, which is to feed your best player. Fournette may be a younger Adrain Peterson, but he's surrounded by too many average/good players and not enough great ones. One trick pony offenses work great in high school, but not in CFB. If LSU wants to take the next step, they need to improve the offensive line and find some playmakers. Their defense hasn't been great lately, either. They've been the opposite of Alabama defensively. They work great against spread offenses, but don't fare well when playing gap-running teams like Alabama or Arkansas. They need to worry less about being "DBU" and toughen up the front seven.

Tennessee is getting better as the years go by, as much as I hate to say it. I've always believed returning starters are a huge aspect of becoming great, and nobody has as many as UT. But they've got a lot of questions, too. They can't hide their inability to throw the ball. There isn't a more average receiving core in the SEC than the Vols. They aren't terrible, but they aren't good. They have an elite run-blocking offensive line. Probably the best in the SEC. But they aren't great pass protectors. Dobbs had to scramble around a lot last year. On the defense, they're what I call a 1-1-1 defense. They've got one stud at every level. Derek Barnett on the DL, Reeves-Maybin at LB, Cam Sutton at DB. But I don't trust the guys around them. Good teams will find a way to pick on their average players that they're hiding on defense.

Here's what I think about the next tier of teams that some think could be elite:

Ole Miss -- No running back, distractions everywhere, tough schedule. Can Chad Kelly do it all?

Texas A&M -- Trevor Knight is a one-game wonder until he shows me that he can take care of the ball. They lack physicality as an entire team. Who is their running back? They have the best receivers in the SEC, but they have no help. All they can do on defense is defend the pass.

Georgia -- Eason is going to get a taste of SEC football. True freshman QBs don't fare well in this conference. Lambert can't even consistently manage a game. Chubb and Michel are deadly and will probably win some games single handedly for them this year. They'll surprise UT at home, and possibly beat UF or Ole Miss. Their defense is average, too. Lambert and Eason aren't winning any shootouts.

Florida -- Jimmy can coach with the best of 'em. How did that mess of a team even stay within 3 scores of Bama in the SECCG? He gets everything out of his players every year. But when your starting QB is an Oregon State backup, you have a patchwork OL, and lack an elite pass rush, how high can your ceiling really be?