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CBS' post-spring power rankings
Posted on 5/8/24 at 8:33 am
Posted on 5/8/24 at 8:33 am
1. Georgia - To be honest, Georgia and Texas were in a heated race for the No. 1 spot. The Bulldogs get the edge given Kirby Smart's SEC track record, the fact that Carson Beck looks like the conference's best starting quarterback and more consistency on defense. Speaking of defense, expect that unit to look similar to the one that absolutely thrashed opponents in 2021. Georgia is laden with veterans on both sides of the ball, and anything short of an SEC Championship Game appearance for this squad would be downright shocking.
2. Texas - If Georgia's explainer wasn't enough of a hint, we anticipate that Texas will acclimate well to its new digs. Steve Sarkisian has steadily built this roster into a powerhouse, and after a breakthrough run to the College Football Playoff last year, the bar is higher for this program than it has been since Colt McCoy was running the offense. Quinn Ewers has gotten better in each year as a starting quarterback. He's got a load of talent to work with on the offense, though much of it is comprised of transfers or former blue-chip prospects with little collegiate experience. The defense has some key areas to replace, notably both interior defensive line spots and both starting boundary cornerbacks, but there's reason to believe serviceable options will emerge.
3. Ole Miss - Is this the year Ole Miss finally breaks through? The Rebels have certainly flirted with SEC glory throughout Lane Kiffin's tenure, though Alabama has consistently served as a major barrier. Ole Miss can finally step out from behind Alabama's shadow now that divisions are a thing of the past and the Crimson Tide are nowhere to be seen on the 2024 schedule. In fact, Ole Miss' 2024 slate is so favorable that Kiffin absolutely loaded up on veteran transfer talent with his eyes on a deep run to the expanded College Football Playoff. Those newcomers, who could almost comprise an entirely fresh team on their own, need to jell in an actual game setting, but there's plenty there to work with here.
4. Alabama - If you haven't heard, things are quite different around Tuscaloosa. Nick Saban decided to hang it up after an illustrious 17 years at Alabama, making way for former Washington boss Kalen DeBoer. He inherits a tremendous roster that despite a handful of key transfer losses still has the makings of an SEC competitor. DeBoer also has a knack for getting the best out of his players, particularly quarterbacks, so Jalen Milroe is in line for a big year given his tremendous physical traits.
5. Missouri - This is Missouri's year to make some serious noise. The Tigers will only benefit from the Brady Cook-Luther Burden connection for so long. The former could work his way into the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, while the latter will almost certainly be a top-15 pick. Mizzou does immediately have to replace five defenders that were selected in the 2024 draft. Fresh additions like five-star freshman defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri will have to come along quickly to plug the gaps on that side of the ball.
6. Tennessee - It's Nico time in Tennessee. After sitting behind Joe Milton for a majority of his freshman season and winning Citrus Bowl Bowl MVP honors in his first career start, Nico Iamaleava is gliding into the 2024 season as Tennessee's unquestioned starter at quarterback. An experienced offensive line that returns three starters, a backfield paced by Dylan Sampson and a wide receiver corps featuring six players with at least three years of collegiate experience will help him overcome any early growing pains. Keep an eye on Tennessee's defense; it's quietly gotten better every year under Josh Heupel. With a deep rotation along the line and an edge rusher like James Pearce Jr. wreaking havoc in opposing backfields, this group might take its biggest leap yet.
7. LSU - Replacing a Heisman Trophy winner is hard. Replacing a Heisman Trophy winner with a guy that has just one start in three years at LSU would normally cause some consternation. But, man, it's really hard not to be excited about Garrett Nussmeier. Through the few tantalizing glimpses we've gotten of him since he signed with the Tigers in 2021, Nussmeier seems to have all of the tools to succeed at this level. He has a great frame, poise, immense arm strength and accuracy at every level. Nussmeier love aside, LSU's ceiling is significantly lowered by a defense that constantly let it down last season and faces some major questions ahead of the 2024 season.
8. Oklahoma - There are two primary reasons for concern as Oklahoma transitions into the SEC: It will be breaking in a brand new starting quarterback in sophomore Jackson Arnold, and it has to replace five offensive linemen with starting experience. While the Sooners have done well addressing their OL needs via the portal, fielding an entirely new unit while moving to a league like the SEC certainly isn't ideal. Having Arnold take his first consistent snaps -- outside of a bowl game -- behind that line certainly complicates things. On the other side of the ball, Oklahoma might have one of the SEC's deepest defensive units, so Arnold shouldn't be tasked with digging the Sooners out of too many holes.
The remaining 8........ LINK
2. Texas - If Georgia's explainer wasn't enough of a hint, we anticipate that Texas will acclimate well to its new digs. Steve Sarkisian has steadily built this roster into a powerhouse, and after a breakthrough run to the College Football Playoff last year, the bar is higher for this program than it has been since Colt McCoy was running the offense. Quinn Ewers has gotten better in each year as a starting quarterback. He's got a load of talent to work with on the offense, though much of it is comprised of transfers or former blue-chip prospects with little collegiate experience. The defense has some key areas to replace, notably both interior defensive line spots and both starting boundary cornerbacks, but there's reason to believe serviceable options will emerge.
3. Ole Miss - Is this the year Ole Miss finally breaks through? The Rebels have certainly flirted with SEC glory throughout Lane Kiffin's tenure, though Alabama has consistently served as a major barrier. Ole Miss can finally step out from behind Alabama's shadow now that divisions are a thing of the past and the Crimson Tide are nowhere to be seen on the 2024 schedule. In fact, Ole Miss' 2024 slate is so favorable that Kiffin absolutely loaded up on veteran transfer talent with his eyes on a deep run to the expanded College Football Playoff. Those newcomers, who could almost comprise an entirely fresh team on their own, need to jell in an actual game setting, but there's plenty there to work with here.
4. Alabama - If you haven't heard, things are quite different around Tuscaloosa. Nick Saban decided to hang it up after an illustrious 17 years at Alabama, making way for former Washington boss Kalen DeBoer. He inherits a tremendous roster that despite a handful of key transfer losses still has the makings of an SEC competitor. DeBoer also has a knack for getting the best out of his players, particularly quarterbacks, so Jalen Milroe is in line for a big year given his tremendous physical traits.
5. Missouri - This is Missouri's year to make some serious noise. The Tigers will only benefit from the Brady Cook-Luther Burden connection for so long. The former could work his way into the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, while the latter will almost certainly be a top-15 pick. Mizzou does immediately have to replace five defenders that were selected in the 2024 draft. Fresh additions like five-star freshman defensive lineman Williams Nwaneri will have to come along quickly to plug the gaps on that side of the ball.
6. Tennessee - It's Nico time in Tennessee. After sitting behind Joe Milton for a majority of his freshman season and winning Citrus Bowl Bowl MVP honors in his first career start, Nico Iamaleava is gliding into the 2024 season as Tennessee's unquestioned starter at quarterback. An experienced offensive line that returns three starters, a backfield paced by Dylan Sampson and a wide receiver corps featuring six players with at least three years of collegiate experience will help him overcome any early growing pains. Keep an eye on Tennessee's defense; it's quietly gotten better every year under Josh Heupel. With a deep rotation along the line and an edge rusher like James Pearce Jr. wreaking havoc in opposing backfields, this group might take its biggest leap yet.
7. LSU - Replacing a Heisman Trophy winner is hard. Replacing a Heisman Trophy winner with a guy that has just one start in three years at LSU would normally cause some consternation. But, man, it's really hard not to be excited about Garrett Nussmeier. Through the few tantalizing glimpses we've gotten of him since he signed with the Tigers in 2021, Nussmeier seems to have all of the tools to succeed at this level. He has a great frame, poise, immense arm strength and accuracy at every level. Nussmeier love aside, LSU's ceiling is significantly lowered by a defense that constantly let it down last season and faces some major questions ahead of the 2024 season.
8. Oklahoma - There are two primary reasons for concern as Oklahoma transitions into the SEC: It will be breaking in a brand new starting quarterback in sophomore Jackson Arnold, and it has to replace five offensive linemen with starting experience. While the Sooners have done well addressing their OL needs via the portal, fielding an entirely new unit while moving to a league like the SEC certainly isn't ideal. Having Arnold take his first consistent snaps -- outside of a bowl game -- behind that line certainly complicates things. On the other side of the ball, Oklahoma might have one of the SEC's deepest defensive units, so Arnold shouldn't be tasked with digging the Sooners out of too many holes.
The remaining 8........ LINK
10
Posted on 5/8/24 at 8:40 am to JetDawg
ColoradoAg is punching another hole in his drywall rn
Posted on 5/8/24 at 8:45 am to JetDawg
quote:Too high. Our offense is loaded. The interior defensive line has me nervous going into SEC play.
2. Texas -
Posted on 5/8/24 at 8:46 am to JetDawg
Does Tennessee win every offseason or is this year special? I’m new here.
Posted on 5/8/24 at 9:11 am to JetDawg
Let me count the ways.
Georgia's talent creates very few surprises.
The shorthorns, not so much. This is a big reach at 2.
Ole Miss's latest spending spree has got everyone's attention. Beat Georgia and LSU in BR and we'll talk.
And here comes the viles again with their never-ending mantra, "We have a QB, therefore we are."
Drink is getting a lot of love and goodwill out of that 11-2 record. And the SEC did him no disservice with this year's schedule. Where can BAMA get one of those?
Georgia's talent creates very few surprises.
The shorthorns, not so much. This is a big reach at 2.
Ole Miss's latest spending spree has got everyone's attention. Beat Georgia and LSU in BR and we'll talk.
And here comes the viles again with their never-ending mantra, "We have a QB, therefore we are."
Drink is getting a lot of love and goodwill out of that 11-2 record. And the SEC did him no disservice with this year's schedule. Where can BAMA get one of those?
Posted on 5/8/24 at 9:38 am to bamameister
quote:
Ole Miss's latest spending spree has got everyone's attention. Beat Georgia and LSU in BR and we'll talk.
Agree with this, on paper we have a very legitimate shot, but we've got to beat Georgia before we can start talking turkey.
Posted on 5/8/24 at 9:41 am to Dallaswho
Ha! Horns and its not even close.
Rodo
Rodo
Posted on 5/8/24 at 9:53 am to JetDawg
quote:
Brady Cook-Luther Burden connection for so long. The former could work his way into the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft
no way in hell is Brady Cook a 1st Rounder, even if he had a monster year he is not an NFL QB, will be lucky to ever get drafted at all.
Posted on 5/8/24 at 10:06 am to ukraine_rebel
Georgia has a brutal schedule.
@Ole Miss
@Texas
@Bama
Clemson
Tennessee
On the other hand Texas and Ole Miss have almost the same schedule but Ole Miss plays LSU and USC while Texas plays A&M and Vandy. If both go 11-1 with losses to UGA, Ole Miss probably wins the tie breaker to go to the SEC championship due to Vandy lmao.
@Ole Miss
@Texas
@Bama
Clemson
Tennessee
On the other hand Texas and Ole Miss have almost the same schedule but Ole Miss plays LSU and USC while Texas plays A&M and Vandy. If both go 11-1 with losses to UGA, Ole Miss probably wins the tie breaker to go to the SEC championship due to Vandy lmao.
Posted on 5/8/24 at 10:10 am to BevoBucks
quote:
Too high. Our offense is loaded. The interior defensive line has me nervous going into SEC play.
Agree. Not worried about the offense but this d worries me. The SEC will be an adjustment so definitely take the under at 10.5. I think we'll end up 3rd or 4th but the future looks good.
Posted on 5/8/24 at 10:12 am to Rodo
quote:
Ha! Horns and its not even close.
Poor aggies
Posted on 5/8/24 at 10:31 am to ManBearSharkReb
It'd be a question of which of those 4 finishes highest in the conference standings. If A&M (or heaven forbid Vandy) Texas gets the nod, if its either LSU or USCe, then it'll be Ole Miss.
Posted on 5/8/24 at 10:45 am to ManBearSharkReb
quote:
Ole Miss plays LSU and USC
No one was aware that Ole Miss will be playing the Trojans. I think you mean South Carolina....or, SCar....or, Carolina.....or, uscjr. Either one of those and you'll be correct.
Posted on 5/8/24 at 10:58 am to JetDawg
Dick move.
This post was edited on 5/8/24 at 11:00 am
Posted on 5/8/24 at 11:03 am to JetDawg
I am very curious to see how our O-line holds up in conference play. I think we have the playmakers available to make some noise if the line holds up.
I can honestly say for the first time in several years that I am excited to see what this defense can do. On paper it looks much improved. Now it's time to see results on the field.
I can honestly say for the first time in several years that I am excited to see what this defense can do. On paper it looks much improved. Now it's time to see results on the field.
Posted on 5/8/24 at 11:16 am to Gimme Vaughn
quote:
I think we have the playmakers available to make some noise if the line holds up.
5 brand new o-line starters in the sec lmao. Good luck.
Posted on 5/8/24 at 11:19 am to JetDawg
quote:
It's not outlandish to think that Elko's Aggies can push for at least eight wins this year.
Fap.
Fap.
Fap.
…
Posted on 5/8/24 at 11:20 am to ManBearSharkReb
quote:
On the other hand Texas and Ole Miss have almost the same schedule but Ole Miss plays LSU and USC while Texas plays A&M and Vandy. If both go 11-1 with losses to UGA, Ole Miss probably wins the tie breaker to go to the SEC championship due to Vandy lmao.
While winning the SEC would be great.. this wouldn't be the end of the world.. 11-1 Texas would be in the playoffs.. perhaps as the 5 seed.. so I could make the argument that I'd rather Ole Miss go to Atlanta in that scenario..
Posted on 5/8/24 at 11:32 am to BigBro
Y'all saw that shitty short horn defense making Arch look like his uncle... 2 is too high. I bet Oklahoma beats them again. Ole Miss will beat them, too.
Posted on 5/8/24 at 11:38 am to bamabonners
quote:
Y'all saw that shitty short horn defense making Arch look like his uncle... 2 is too high. I bet Oklahoma beats them again. Ole Miss will beat them, too.
Well we don't play Ole Miss, but yes Oklahoma might beat us again. That would be true even if they are 0-5 and we are 5-0 or vice versa.
As for our defense.. I think our defense will be better this year against the pass, but not as good against the run.. tbd if that is a good thing for bad thing.
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