re: Who will be the next elite team in the SEC?

I think UF will return to form shortly but will not quite replicate the success they had under Meyer. I just don't see a Muschamp team beating LSU or Bama in the conference title game.

A&M has as good of a shot as UGA or UT. Sumlin is going to be an ace recruiter and A&M is about to spend hundreds of millions on football facilities (which will further help in recruiting).
Being an elite team requires elite talent and head coach.
I think Sumlin is the right guy for us.