Alabama Football: Final preseason SEC Power Rankings
By Ronald Evans
Alabama Football does not begin its season for two days but the 2021 SEC football season begins tonight. The Tennessee Volunteers open the SEC football season, hosting the Bowling Green Falcons. The Falcons were an anemic 0-5 last season, with their smallest margin of defeat being 25 points. The Vols should be able to pick the score and anything less than a five touchdown Tennessee victory should disappoint Tennessee fans.
Alabama Football’s Homecoming opponent, the Vols will not see many bright moments from a program that has lost all its historical luster. This prediction has Vanderbilt and Tennessee playing in late November to decide the worst team in the SEC.
Final SEC Football Preseason Power Rankings
No. 14 – Vanderbilt Commodores – Predicted regular season ceiling – 4 wins
Clark Lea may prove to be an outstanding head coach. It will be hard to tell while he toils in Nashville. The Dores should open with a win and also take down U Conn in October. A win on the road at Colorado State is possible. Getting four wins will require beating Tennessee.
No. 13 Tennessee Volunteers – Predicted regular season ceiling – 5 wins
With a new ‘high-pace’ offense the Vols might upset a team or two. A win over Alabama Football in Tuscaloosa will not happen. A not very good Pitt team may be too much for the Vols despite the game being in Knoxville.
No. 12 South Carolina Gamecocks – Predicted regular season ceiling – 5 wins
Shane Beamer has to rebuild and it will take time. Suddenly he was forced to elevate a graduate assistant, with a remaining season of eligibility, to starting quarterback. The South Carolina vs. Tennesee winner in October will settle what team makes it to No. 12.
No. 11 Mississippi State Bulldogs – Predicted regular season ceiling – 5 wins
Mike Leach is an odd but good coach. He is not a good fit in the SEC. SEC defenders are too strong, too fast, too quick and too sharp for Leach’s offense. The early-season win over LSU last season was misleading. The Bulldogs might do no better than three wins.