re: Why are so many so-called experts picking Auburn to win the SEC?

Those predictions are just in the SEC and those writers are just simple minded. Its Alabama, LSU and Arkansas and not in that order. I remember 2014 and Auburn was in the Top 5. Know one knows what the so called SEC writers were looking at. Auburn appeared to take off games like with Georgia because Alabama was due up. In order for Auburn to get to an 8-5 record was a calculated task by Gus Malzahn (Smart Coach). His defense could not stop anyone so the scoring wars broke out. Auburn does not have Nick Marshall or Sammy Coates and if they did I would agree with a top 5 finish in 2015 along with the addition of Wil Muschamp. Too many key elements missing. 2016 Auburn should make noise but so will Alabama, LSU, and Arkansas. The SEC is just so far ahead in talent that it hurts itself with the National Title Game. Go to an 8 team playoff and 3 or 4 of those teams will be from the SEC. Teams in the Top 10 from the SEC last year from Memory:

Alabama highest ranking #1
Miss St. highest ranking #1
Ole Miss highest ranking #3
Auburn highest ranking #3
Texas A&M highest ranking #4
Georgia highest ranking #8

No other conference can say that. Ohio St. had no one challenge them due to the weak conference they are in.

#1 SEC no shocker Most NFL Draft Picks again
#2 PAC12 2nd in NFL Draft Picks beating the ACC from 2014
#3 BIG12 Sucks in the NFL Draft no shocker here
#4 ACC They are just that The Average Coast Conference
and the rest.