Alabama Football: Final preseason SEC Power Rankings
By Ronald Evans
No. 10 Arkansas Razorbacks – Predicted regular season ceiling – 5 wins
Sam Pittman has some good players, including arguably the best wide receiver in the SEC, Treylon Burks. Burks may miss the opener against Rice but is expected to return soon. Pittman will field an improved team that may not produce a much better record (3-7) than last season.
No. 9 Auburn Tigers – Predicted regular season ceiling – 7 wins
Bryan Harsin has much to prove and mark me down as skeptical. The Tigers don’t have a roster to be a serious threat to the SEC’s top teams.
No. 8 Missouri Tigers – Predicted regular season ceiling – 7 wins
Unlike my take on Josh Heupel and Bryan Harsin, I am bullish on Eli Drinkwitz. The Tigers should become relevant again under Drinkwitz, but the build may not blossom until year three for Eli.
No. 7 Kentucky Wildcats – Predicted regular season ceiling – 8 wins
Listen to Mark Stoops talk about his offensive and defensive priorities and he sounds like a coaching voice from 2012. Stoops knows what he has and what he has built in Lexington. There is little flash, but plenty of tough, physically challenging play, while relying on the Wildcats’ strengths. One of his 2021 strengths will be a top two or three, offensive line in the SEC. Stoops’ approach works for the Wildcats’ program that signs few elite athletes.