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Which SEC team do you expect to be most improved this Fall?

Posted on 6/18/26 at 5:35 am
Posted by Amarillo Tide
Amarillo, TX
Member since Aug 2023
1976 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 5:35 am
I would have to say Florida. They have some talent on the team but were poorly coached by Billy Napier. Jon Summerall is a better coach and will have them playing fundamentally sound football. Not saying they'll make the CFP but I could see them with a 8-4 record.

Honorable mention:

Kentucky-I'll be interested in how Will Stein does in his first year in Lexington. He brings some youthful energy to a stale program. The Cats have been spending more in NIL and are improving their facilities. Will it be enough to see improvement on the field? I think so but the question is, how much?

Posted by Shocco
Member since Nov 2015
2577 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 6:30 am to
Summerall is who I wish Bama had got as a coach.
Posted by Night Vision
Member since Feb 2018
23722 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 7:05 am to
Posted by Allthatfades
Mississippi
Member since Aug 2014
9519 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 7:05 am to
Has to be LSU. Don’t know how good they’ll actually be but they will be better than they were last year.
Posted by Amarillo Tide
Amarillo, TX
Member since Aug 2023
1976 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 7:59 am to
I considered LSU but even though they've been spending like drunken sailors with NIL and had a massive upgrade in terms of coaches, it's still Lane and he's prone to doing something absolutely insane at the most inopportune time that will cost them dearly in a close game.

I feel like his nutty play calling at some point will cost them at least one game, maybe two every year.
Posted by Legionfield
Alabama
Member since Nov 2009
3620 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 8:47 am to
I woulld say Florida. I like Coach Sumrall.
Posted by Riseupfromtherubble
You'll Never Walk Alone
Member since Jun 2011
40232 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 9:17 am to
quote:

I considered LSU but even though they've been spending like drunken sailors with NIL and had a massive upgrade in terms of coaches, it's still Lane and he's prone to doing something absolutely insane at the most inopportune time that will cost them dearly in a close game.

I feel like his nutty play calling at some point will cost them at least one game, maybe two every year.


Yea, there is a track record of silly decisions (at ole miss) but LSU was dogshit last year. I don't think they're some title favorite like the media is pushing them to be, but it will be hard not to be vastly improved compared to last year.

I also expect Lane to tone down the dumb decisions, he won't have to just go for broke now with the talent they've acquired
Posted by tide06
Member since Oct 2011
24540 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 11:24 am to
quote:

I would have to say Florida. They have some talent on the team but were poorly coached by Billy Napier. Jon Summerall is a better coach and will have them playing fundamentally sound football. Not saying they'll make the CFP but I could see them with a 8-4 record.

Florida has a QB issue. The rest of that program should be improved though.

I agree with Kentucky, they improved across the board IMO.

Auburn with Brown at QB could be a huge improvement, but they also lost so much due to portal exits I dont know what to think.

LSU to me is the obvious answer. If they get quality QB play and figure out the OL with their portal additions they're a CFP team IMO.
Posted by bamabenny
Member since Nov 2009
15932 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 11:47 am to
Kentucky is a complete wild card. That's a dangerous game for us in week 2. I expect them to be as vanilla as possible week 1 against Youngstown State and then come out with all sorts of crazy shite against us. ECU as our week 1 game is much tougher, that's a senior laden squad coming off of an impressive 9-4 season.

LSU is the easy answer, they were arse last year. Even if Kiffin goes 9-3, I expect them to be very competitive in every game.
Posted by Amarillo Tide
Amarillo, TX
Member since Aug 2023
1976 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 5:12 pm to
If Sam Leavitt can stay healthy, LSU is gonna be very tough. All eyes are going to be on LSU at least early on.
Posted by phil4bama
Emerald Coast of PCB
Member since Jul 2011
11964 posts
Posted on 6/20/26 at 7:18 pm to
quote:

I also expect Lane to tone down the dumb decisions, he won't have to just go for broke now with the talent they've acquired


Here’s the counter argument: I think Lane will be even more reckless with his play calling and in game decisions because instead of being at Ole Miss with Pete Golding running the defense, he’s at LSU. Now he thinks he can out talent most of his opponents and if he screws up, Blake Baker’s defense is there to bail him out. He’s going to call a game like a drunken riverboat gambler until it bites him in the arse and costs him a couple of games. And Orgeron may be in his face arguing decisions with him too.

Florida will be most improved. But don’t sleep on State. If Lebby is going to survive as a head coach, he’ll have to make a big improvement this year. They will be dangerous.
Vandy comes back to Earth, Arkansas is a complete wild card and Auburn will be a disappointment for their fans expecting a quick turnaround. Sark better produce and A&M will be make a deep playoff run. Ole Miss takes a big step backwards. SECCG- Texas A&M vs Georgia.
Posted by Easye921
Mobile
Member since Jan 2013
3313 posts
Posted on 7/11/26 at 5:55 pm to
quote:

Sam Leavitt can stay healthy, LSU is gonna be very tough. All eyes are going to be on LSU at least early on.


He's never impressed me much, but I wouldn't trade either of our QBs for him tbh. I do think LSU will be much improved. Kinda hard not to tho after last season.
Posted by labamafan
Prairieville
Member since Jan 2007
27048 posts
Posted on 7/11/26 at 6:13 pm to
LSU. They have sucked since 2019. They went out and spent 45 mill on a roster and Lanes personality matches that braggadocios bunch. He will fit right in at LsU. They don’t care who he screws and he can get drunk as he wants. If he wins they don’t care what stupid shite he says.
Posted by PuertoRicanBlaze
Book Board Admin
Member since Apr 2024
7774 posts
Posted on 7/11/26 at 8:08 pm to
quote:

Summerall is who I wish Bama had got as a coach


And today, you'd be arguing "we should have hired Deboer".
This post was edited on 7/11/26 at 8:08 pm
Posted by Bamafig
Member since Nov 2018
6791 posts
Posted on 7/12/26 at 7:31 am to
Stock up:
Aubie
UF
LSU


Stock down:
Tenner
USCe
Vandy
Posted by tattoo
Fantasy Island
Member since Oct 2017
2108 posts
Posted on 7/12/26 at 7:44 pm to
IMO, the jury is out on both AU and LSU.

Can USF north really have much success in the SEC? They have a tough schedule and end in their house of horrors, BDS, where they’ve won once (by a fluke) in the last 2 decades. Alabama hasn’t lost in BDS but once since 2006. And AU doesn’t just lose, they get blown out - by an average of 25 pts per game. Not even one win has been by less than double digits. Alabama just kicks ‘em around like an old rag doll.

LSU has a tougher schedule. Lane has had an annual loss out of nowhere, along with their schedule and Alabama in its Baton Rouge rocking chair (2 losses in 20 years, 24-5-1 in the last 60 years, even Fran beat Saban 31-0 in BR the year after an SEC title, the year before their NC).

To this point Kiffin has won few if any big games in his career. Things can always change but I’m waiting till they do before I give him the edge vs the coach with the best record in the history of college football vs ranked teams (20-6) - Big Game Kalen DeBoer, coaching the greatest program and the greatest big-game program in history - Alabama. LSU will likely have at least 3 or 4 losses by years’ end.
Posted by tattoo
Fantasy Island
Member since Oct 2017
2108 posts
Posted on 7/12/26 at 8:33 pm to
Maybe Alabama will employ Wommack’s version of the “mush rush” (which I normally & instinctively hate) vs AU’s Brown because he can really hurt you with his feet but is relatively erratic with his arm. Plus does AU really have any receivers who are frightening and Alabama has a great secondary.

They might also use it vs Marcel Reed who has terrifying speed but also has a relatively erratic arm. That’s how Miami shut him down - they made him beat them with his arm and he couldn’t.
Posted by partsman103
Member since Sep 2008
8791 posts
Posted on 7/13/26 at 1:17 pm to
quote:

Which SEC team do you expect to be most improved this Fall?


I think Auburn is going to be greatly improved and will actually upset a few teams this season.
Posted by Diego Ricardo
Alabama
Member since Dec 2020
13755 posts
Posted on 7/13/26 at 3:17 pm to
quote:

I think Auburn is going to be greatly improved and will actually upset a few teams this season.


Golesh is a competent coach that still has some fire. Auburn hasn’t had that in a coach in almost a decade now. Gus was checked out after his contract extension in 2017. Harsin was in above his head. Hugh was more interested in golf than coaching.

I am happy we got Auburn in BDS this year. I could see them being a feisty team.
Posted by m2pro
Member since Nov 2008
30074 posts
Posted on 7/13/26 at 3:45 pm to
quote:

They don’t care who he screws and he can get drunk as he wants


To be fair, I also don't really care. Long as they don't get fired for doing whatever it is that they do. Wins is what matters. I don't need a preacher. I want a killer for a coach.

Granted, it is definitely nice to have a class act as a coach.
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