Alabama football fans should find the Athlon publication’s process of making 2018 SEC football predictions quite interesting.
It is the peak season for 2018 SEC football predictions and most fans are interested to peruse any and every set of predictions. Even without a comprehensive rundown of several publications, it is easy to know the consensus is Georgia and Alabama football will play in the SEC title game.
Most publications write a summary of each team to explain their picks of the 14 SEC football teams. The Athlon publication took it a step further by rating teams by position units. For some reason, they did not rate the quarterbacks, perhaps because QB is not a position unit. Whether you agree with their picks or not, the ratings of the position units are informative.
The position groups were: running backs, wide receivers, offensive line, defensive line, linebackers and defensive backs. Each position unit was rated for the top six team units in the SEC. We have reshaped the report below to show the results for each SEC football team, listed by division.
ALABAMA
The Tide was ranked in all six groups. Alabama football was No. 1 at RB, OL and LB. The Tide ranked No. 2 at DL and No. 3 at WR. The lowest rating for Alabama was No. 5 for DBs.
Predicted SEC record: 8-0
AUBURN
Auburn only made the top six in two position groups. The Tigers were No. 1 for DL and No. 2 at LB.
Predicted SEC record: 6-2
MISSISSIPPI STATE
The Bulldogs were ranked in three position groups. They were No. 3 at RB and DL and No. 4 at OL.
Predicted SEC record: 5-3
TEXAS A&M
The Aggies ranked in just two position groups. No. 3 at LB and No. 6 at DB.
Predicted SEC record: 5-3
LSU
The Bengal Tigers made the top six in four position groups. No. 3 at DB, No. 5 at LB, No. 6 at OL and DL.
Predicted SEC record: 4-4
OLE MISS
The Rebels/Black Bears/Landsharks made the top six in two groups. No. 1 at WR and No. 5 at OL.
Predicted SEC record: 1-7
ARKANSAS
The Razorbacks failed to make the top six in any position group.
Predicted SEC record: 1-7
GEORGIA
Like the Tide, the Bulldogs made the top six in each position group. No.2 at RB, DB and OL; No. 4 at LB and No. 5 at DL and WR.
Predicted SEC record: 8-0
FLORIDA
The Gators were ranked in four position groups. No. 1 at DB; No. 4 at DL; No. 5 at RB and No. 6 at WR.
Predicted SEC record: 5-3
SOUTH CAROLINA
South Carolina was ranked in one position group, No. 2 at WR.
Predicted SEC record: 4-4
MISSOURI
The Tigers were ranked in three position groups. No. 3 at OL; No. 4 at WR and RB.
Predicted SEC record: 3-5
KENTUCKY
The Wildcats made it into two position groups. No. 6 at RB and LB.
Predicted SEC record: 3-5
TENNESSEE and VANDERBILT
Like Arkansas, the Vols and the Dores missed out on the top six at any position group.
Tennessee predicted SEC record: 2-6; Vanderbilt predicted SEC record: 1-7
There is plenty more information in the Athlon predictions story. Alabama football fans will like these picks: Offensive POY, Tua Tagovailoa (2 of 4 votes); Top Newcomer, Saivion Smith (1 of 4 votes); Top Freshman, Patrick Surtain Jr. (3 of 4 votes).
Dan Mullen got 3 of 4 votes for COTY. Best coordinator hire was unanimous, Mike Elko at TAMU.
Give the Athlon panel some much-deserved credit, they put a solid effort into making the predictions. You can read the entire piece here.
Next: Any Bryant-Denny re-do needs to follow Saban Principles
The Athlon guys also predicted the Tide over the Bulldogs in the SEC title game. We think that was the easiest pick of all.