ESPN's preseason SEC Power Rankings

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1. Alabama: Look who’s back on top. Yes, the Crimson Tide had seven players picked in the first three rounds of this year’s NFL draft, including Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry. And sure, they still haven’t named a starting quarterback for 2016. But isn’t that how it is every year in Tuscaloosa? With players like Calvin Ridley, Cam Robinson, Jonathan Allen and Eddie Jackson on the roster, Alabama is still loaded and still the team to beat in the SEC.

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2. LSU: Is this the year for the Tigers? The roster is stocked with talent, the best player in college football (Leonard Fournette) resides in the backfield and new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda provides intriguing possibilities for a defense that already is solid. The question, as it often does, centers on the quarterback: What will we see from Brandon Harris this season? The answer will likely determine whether the Tigers can make the College Football Playoff.

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3. Ole Miss: With quarterback Chad Kelly running the show, the Rebels have a chance to win every game on their schedule. Kelly threw for an SEC-best 4,042 yards and 31 touchdowns last season. But how will Ole Miss handle the off-field distractions? Plus, it might be hard to survive a brutal month of September that includes games against Alabama, Florida State and Georgia.

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4. Tennessee: The Vols are the presumptive favorites to win the East, and with close to 20 starters returning, that sounds reasonable enough. However, Tennessee hasn't won the division since 2007, and this team gave away its East hopes last season by blowing double-digit leads in three games. Still, quarterback Joshua Dobbs and running back Jalen Hurd are a tough duo, and Bob Shoop should make an already athletic and fast defense one of the conference's toughest in 2016.

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5. Florida: The reigning SEC East champs aren't getting the respect they think they deserve. But even after winning 10 games last season, no one is quite sure what to expect from an offense with its ninth starting quarterback since Tim Tebow left following the 2009 season. Even after losing some key players, the defense should be solid once again. And head coach Jim McElwain seems to be very pleased with a more veteran offensive line, more downfield passing with quarterback Luke Del Rio at the helm and more adequate bodies at receiver.

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6. Georgia: Mark Richt and his 9.7 wins per season are gone. Welcome to the Kirby Smart era, which begins with a handful of questions on both sides of the ball. If running back Nick Chubb gets back to his old self after last year's knee injury, the Dawgs should contend for the East. The defense returns a solid secondary, but the defensive line is a major concern -- and top linebackers Jordan Jenkins and Leonard Floyd are gone. Don't forget that a quarterback battle is raging, with future star Jacob Eason in the mix.

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