Best Early 2017 NCAAF SEC Title Bets and Expert Predictions

If you’re talking about the SEC and college football, then surely you know that there’s Alabama – and then there’s everyone else! Despite losing the 2017 national championship, not only are the Crimson Tide expected to repeat as SEC champs this coming season, but they are once again, the prohibitive college football betting favorites to win the 2018 national championship. Let’s find out why the Tide are the SEC and national championship favorites and whether or not one of their longtime conference counterparts could pull off the conference title upset for the ages.

Analyzing The Best Early 2017 NCAAF SEC Title Bets and Expert Predictions

   

Alabama -190

The Crimson Tide lost a bunch of talent on the defensive side of the ball with defensive end Jonathan Allen and linebackers Reuben Foster, Ryan Anderson and Tim Williams all taking their talents to the NFL, along with sure-handed tight end O.J. Howard. Still, Alabama Crimson Tide has a bunch of five-star recruits waiting in the wings to replace their departed stars and a gifted dual-threat quarterback in sophomore Jalen Hurts that looked really special to me a year ago as a true freshman. The Tide also have a great 1-2 combination at running back in Damien Harris and Bo Scarborough that will once again be the foundation for Alabama’s offensive success. Unless they somehow manage to lose two conference games (they won’t), all roads to the SEC championship will go through Alabama whether you like them or loathe them.

ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE TEAM STATISTICS

Offensive total yards: 455.27 Average Score For: 38.80 Offensive rush yards: 246.93 Defensive total yards: 262.13 Average Score For: 38.80 Defensive rush yards: 64.27 Offensive passing yards: 208.33 Defensive passing yards: 197.87 Average Score Against: 13.00

LSU +400

With the no-nonsense Ed Orgeron entering his first full season as head coach, I’m expecting LSU to have a powerful defense that will help them challenge for the conference crown – at least, for a little while. Running back Derrius Guice is a superstar just waiting to happen, but I’m not completely sold on quarterback Danny Etling. The Tigers will also have a new offensive system under first-year coordinator Matt Canada. The Tigers will be very good in 2017, just not good enough to beat out Alabama for the conference crown.

LSU TIGERS TEAM STATISTICS

Offensive total yards: 423.08 Average Score For: 28.33 Defensive total yards: 314.42 Offensive rush yards: 233.00 Defensive rush yards: 118.00 Offensive passing yards: 190.08 Defensive passing yards: 196.42 Average Score Against: 15.75

Auburn +580

LSU may be the No. 2 pick to win the SEC as far as oddsmakers are concerned, but I like Auburn as the No. 1 threat to Alabama’s stranglehold on the conference. The Tigers got a player that could lead them to surprising heights in talented sophomore quarterback Jarrett Stidham, a transfer from Baylor. LSU also has an experienced offensive line returning, a pair of outstanding running backs in Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson and a talented group of receivers for Stidham to throw to. The Tigers lost a pair of stud defensive linemen and safety Johnathan Ford, but they return one of the nation’s best linebacker units and All-SEC cornerback Carlton Davis.

AUBURN TIGERS TEAM STATISTICS

Offensive total yards: 440.77 Average Score For: 31.23 Defensive total yards: 361.92 Offensive rush yards: 271.31 Defensive rush yards: 132.77 Offensive passing yards: 169.46 Defensive passing yards: 229.15 Average Score Against: 17.08

Georgia +580

I’m going with Georgia as my No. 2 pick behind Auburn to upset Alabama, even though oddsmakers have the Bulldogs as the No. 4 pick on the board. Not only did the Dogs post a positive 8-5 record in Kirby Smart’s first season with the team, but they also suffered three losses by a field goal or less. I like quarterback Jacob Eason and running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, not to mention the fact that Georgia returns all 11 starters on the defensive side of the ball.

GEORGIA BULLDOGS TEAM STATISTICS

Offensive total yards: 384.69 Average Score For: 24.54 Defensive total yards: 327.46 Offensive rush yards: 191.23 Defensive rush yards: 143.69 Offensive passing yards: 193.46 Defensive passing yards: 183.77 Average Score Against: 24.00

Florida +800

Florida has won consecutive East Division titles and could make it three straight in 2017 thanks to the addition of former Notre Dame graduate transfer signal-caller Malik Zaire, a talented receiving unit and a gifted running back in Jordan Scarlett. While Florida returns just three starters on the defensive side of the ball, new defensive coordinator Randy Shannon inherits a unit that finished the 2016 campaign ranked a stellar sixth in points allowed (16.8 ppg).

FLORIDA GATORS TEAM STATISTICS

Offensive total yards: 344.00 Average Score For: 23.92 Defensive total yards: 293.00 Offensive rush yards: 128.23 Defensive rush yards: 144.46 Offensive passing yards: 215.77 Defensive passing yards: 148.54 Average Score Against: 16.77