Alabama Football: ‘Way Too Early’ SEC 2021 Power Ranking

Alabama Football plays four of the next eight teams

The Number 7 seven SEC team could come from any of the next three teams. Each one could be slotted with the same six to eight wins prediction. They could be rated 7A, 7B and 7C to designate only a slight difference between them.

After that is a big dropoff to the bottom tier of the SEC.

No. 7 – Missouri Tigers

Eli Drinkwitz gets the nod at No. 7 because he clearly has his Tigers trending up. Even with the exit of Larry Rountree, the Tigers have offensive punch with Connor Bazrlak and Tyler Badie.

Drinkwitz has a new DC in Steve Wilks. Wilks can build around a strong defensive line. The Tigers have time to improve under their new defensive leader before facing Texas A&M in mid-October.

Projected Missouri Regular Season Record – 7 wins

No. 8 – Kentucky Wildcats

There is a ceiling for the Wildcats football program. Mark Stoops has done a great job, but getting above that ceiling is not likely to happen in 2021 or maybe ever. The schedule will help in 2021 but a repeat of the 2018, 10-win season will not happen. Neither will a repeat of last season’s 5-6 record.

Projected Kentucky Regular Season Record – 7 wins

No. 9 – Auburn Tigers

There is a reason so many coaches turned down the Auburn head coaching job. Going back to 2014, Auburn’s losses each season have been five, six, five, four, five, four and five. Some improbable and some absolute fluke victories kept Gus Malzahn employed.

The Tigers are a mediocre program that has failed to develop its talent resources. Bryan Harsin has a major rebuild in front of him and the 2021 signing class went in the opposite direction.

Projected Auburn Regular Season Record – 6 wins

No. 10 – Arkansas Razorbacks

Sam Pittman did well in his first season. He signed a respectable 2021 class. The Hogs just have so much, catching up to do, after too many seasons of not being competitive.

Projected Arkansas Regular Season Record – 4 wins (five if they can beat Auburn)

No. 11 – Mississippi State Bulldogs

Mike Leach has a sharp offensive mind but his schemes that worked in the Big 12 and the Pac 12 do not seriously threaten top SEC defensive athletes. Now that Gus is gone, Leach will be the coach most needing gimmicks to win. He will not have enough. Alabama Football travels to Starkville for what will be a thorough beatdown for the Bulldogs.

Projected Mississippi State Regular Season Record – 4 wins

No. 12 – South Carolina Gamecocks

Shane Beamer may do a great job in rebuilding South Carolina. He will not make much progress in 2021. With the SEC’s worst 2021 signing class, not much help is on the way.

Projected South Carolina Regular Season Record – 4 wins

No. 13 – Vanderbilt Commodores

Clark Lea is entitled to congratulations and condolences. Both are correct responses for new Vandy head coaches. The Dores can only escape the cellar of the SEC once or twice every decade or so and it usually requires a meltdown in Knoxville for it to happen.

 Projected Vanderbilt Regular Season Record – 3 wins

No. 14 – Tennessee Volunteers

The Vols can get wins over Bowling Green, Tennesee Tech and South Alabama. With dozens of players fleeing Knoxville and a 2021 signing class mostly filled with 3-Star players, a fourth win over Pitt is in question. Winning an SEC game is unlikely. Disgruntled Tennessee fans can thank Phil Fulmer for nearly destroying the once-respected program.

Projected Tennessee Regular Season Record – 3 wins

Five of the SEC’s 14 teams are predicted to have losing seasons in 2021. That might signal the league, while strong at the top because of Alabama Football, is weaker at the bottom than the recent seasons before 2020.