SEC Football Preview 2019

By Matt Hetzler
Matt has delivered year after year with his SEC predictions. Having the title of the most accurate for the SEC picks from 2015-2017. Here are all of his accolades from the Stassen.com
2013
SEC West
SEC East
SEC
2016
SEC West
SEC
2015-2017
Most Accurate SEC

SEC EAST

#1 Georgia 10-2 (7-1)

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Coach: Kirby Smart
Offensive Coordinator: James Coley
Defensive Coordinator: Dan Lanning
Stadium: Sanford Stadium (92,746)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 11-3
​2017 13-2
2016 8-5
2015 10-3
2014 10-3

Top Returners


Offense
Passing
Jake Fromm, JR, QB

Rushing
D'Andre Swift, JR, RB

Receiving
D'Andre Swift, JR, RB

Defense
Interceptions
3 players tied at 2

Sacks
Channing Tindall, SO, LB

Tackles
Richard LeCounte, JR, S

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 2
RB 1
WR 10
OL 1
DL 6
LB 3
DB 5

Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Pick
Sat, Aug 31 @Vanderbilt W
Sat, Sep 7 vsMurray State W
Sat, Sep 14 vsArkansas State W
Sat, Sep 21 vs9 Notre Dame L
Sat, Oct 5 @Tennessee W
Sat, Oct 12 vsSouth Carolina W
Sat, Oct 19 vsKentucky W
Sat, Nov 2 vs8 Florida * W
Sat, Nov 9 vsMissouri W
Sat, Nov 16 @16 Auburn L
Sat, Nov 23 vs12 Texas A&M W
Sat, Nov 30 @Georgia Tech W

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: Notre Dame
Toughest Road Game: At Auburn
Biggest Conference Game: ​Vs. Florida

#2T Florida 9-3 (5-3)

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Coach: Dan Mullen
Offensive Coordinator: Billy Gonzalez and John Hevesy 
Defensive Coordinator: Todd Grantham
Stadium: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,458)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 10-3
​2017 4-7
​2016 9-4
2015 10-4
2014 7-5

Top Returners


Offense
Passing
Feleipe Franks, JR, QB

Rushing
Lamical Perine, SR, RB

Receiving
Van Jefferson, SR, WR

Defense
Interceptions
Brad Stewart Jr., JR, S

Sacks
Jabari Zuniga, SR, DE
​
Tackles
David Reese, SR, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 3
RB 5
WR 2
OL 9
DL 3
LB 5
DB 1

Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Pick
Sat, Aug 24 vsMiami * W
Sat, Sep 7 vsUT Martin W
Sat, Sep 14 @Kentucky W
Sat, Sep 21 vsTennessee W
Sat, Sep 28 vsTowson W
Sat, Oct 5 vs16 Auburn L
Sat, Oct 12 @6 LSU L
Sat, Oct 19 @South Carolina W
Sat, Nov 2 vs3 Georgia * L
Sat, Nov 9 vsVanderbilt W
Sat, Nov 16 @Missouri W
Sat, Nov 30 vsFlorida State W

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: vs. Miami
Toughest Road Game: At LSU
Biggest Conference Game: ​vs. Georgia

#2T Tennessee 9-3 (5-3)

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Coach: Jeremy Pruitt
Offensive Coordinator: Jim Chaney
Defensive Coordinator: Derrick Ansley and Chris Rumph
Stadium: Neyland Stadium (102,455)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 5-7
​2017 4-8
​2016 9-4
2015 9-4
2014 7-6

Top Returners 

Offense
Passing
Jarrett Guarantano, JR, QB

Rushing
Ty Chandler, JR, RB

Receiving
Marquez Callaway, SR, WR

Defense
Interceptions
Bryce Thompson, SO, CB

Sacks
Darrell Taylor, SR, DE

Tackles
Daniel Bituli, JR, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 8
RB 10
WR 8
OL 11
DL 14
LB 6
DB 7

Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Pick
Sat, Aug 31 vsGeorgia State W
Sat, Sep 7 vsBYU W
Sat, Sep 14 vsChattanooga W
Sat, Sep 21 @8 Florida L
Sat, Oct 5 vs3 Georgia L
Sat, Oct 12 vsMississippi State W
Sat, Oct 19 @2 Alabama L
Sat, Oct 26 vsSouth Carolina W
Sat, Nov 2 vsUAB W
Sat, Nov 9 @Kentucky W
Sat, Nov 23 @Missouri W
Sat, Nov 30 vsVanderbilt W

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: At Florida
Toughest Road Game: At Alabama
Biggest Conference Game: ​Georgia

#4 Missouri 8-4 (4-4)

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Coach: Barry Odom
Offensive Coordinator: Derek Dooley
Defensive Coordinator: Ryan Walters
Stadium: Memorial Stadium (71,168)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 8-5
​2017 7-6
2016 4-8
2015 5-7
2014 11-3

Top Returners


Offense
Passing
Taylor Powell, SO, QB

Rushing
Larry Rountree, JR, RB

Receiving
Johnathan Johnson, SR, WR

Defense
Interceptions
Damarkus Acy, SR, CB

Sacks
Jordan Elliott, JR, DT

Tackles
Cale Garrett, SR, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 9
RB 6
WR 5
OL 5
DL 7
LB 7
DB 9

Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Pick
Sat, Aug 31 @Wyoming W
Sat, Sep 7 vsWest Virginia W
Sat, Sep 14 vsSoutheast Missouri State W
Sat, Sep 21 vsSouth Carolina W
Sat, Oct 5 vsTroy W
Sat, Oct 12 vsOle Miss W
Sat, Oct 19 @Vanderbilt W
Sat, Oct 26 @Kentucky L
Sat, Nov 9 @3 Georgia L
Sat, Nov 16 vs8 Florida L
Sat, Nov 23 vsTennessee L
Fri, Nov 29 @Arkansas W

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: Florida
Toughest Road Game: At Georgia
Biggest Conference Game: ​Tennessee

#5T Kentucky 6-6 (2-6)

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Coach: Mark Stoops
Offensive Coordinator: Eddie Gran and Darin Hinshaw
Defensive Coordinator: Brad White
Stadium: Commonwealth Stadium (61,000)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 10-3
​2017 7-6
​2016 7-6
2015 5-7
2014 5-7

Top Returners

Offense
Passing
Terry Wilson, JR, QB

Rushing
Terry Wilson, JR, QB

Receiving
Lynn Bowden Jr., JR, WR

Defense
Interceptions
Tyrell Ajian, SO, S

Sacks
Jamar Watson, JR, LB

Tackles
​Kash Daniels, SR, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 12
RB 13
WR 11
OL 8
DL 12
LB 9
DB 12

Schedule 

DATE OPPONENT Picks
Sat, Aug 31 vsToledo W
Sat, Sep 7 vsEastern Michigan W
Sat, Sep 14 vs8 Florida L
Sat, Sep 21 @Mississippi State L
Sat, Sep 28 @South Carolina L
Sat, Oct 12 vsArkansas W
Sat, Oct 19 @3 Georgia L
Sat, Oct 26 vsMissouri W
Sat, Nov 9 vsTennessee L
Sat, Nov 16 @Vanderbilt L
Sat, Nov 23 vsUT Martin W
Sat, Nov 30 vsLouisville W

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: Florida
Toughest Road Game: At Georgia
Biggest Conference Game: ​At Georgia

#5T South Carolina 5-7 (2-6)

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Coach: Will Muschamp
Offensive Coordinator: Bryan McClendon 
Defensive Coordinator: Travaris Robinson
Stadium: Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 ​7-6
​2017 9-4
2016 6-7
2015 3-9
2014 7-6

Top Returners


Offense
Passing
Jake Bentley, SR, QB

Rushing
Rico Dowdle, SR, RB

Receiving
Bryan Edwards, SR, WR

Defense
Interceptions
Jamyest Williams, JR, CB

Sacks
Javon Kinlaw, SR, DT

Tackles
T.J. Brunson, SR, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 7
RB 12
WR 9
OL 10
DL 10
LB 11
DB 8

Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Pick
Sat, Aug 31 vsNorth Carolina * W
Sat, Sep 7 vsCharleston Southern W
Sat, Sep 14 vs2 Alabama L
Sat, Sep 21 @Missouri L
Sat, Sep 28 vsKentucky W
Sat, Oct 12 @3 Georgia L
Sat, Oct 19 vs8 Florida L
Sat, Oct 26 @Tennessee L
Sat, Nov 2 vsVanderbilt W
Sat, Nov 9 vsAppalachian State W
Sat, Nov 16 @12 Texas A&M L
Sat, Nov 30 vs1 Clemson L

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: Clemson
Toughest Road Game: At Georgia
Biggest Conference Game: ​Alabama

#7 Vanderbilt 4-8 (1-7)

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Coach: Derek Mason
Offensive Coordinator: Gerry Gdowski
Defensive Coordinator: Jason Tarver
Stadium: Vanderbilt Stadium (40,550)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 6-7
2017 5-7
2016 6-7
2015 4-8
2014 3-9

Top Returners

​Offense
Passing
Mo Hasan, JR, QB

Rushing
Ke'Shawn Vaughn, SR, RB

Receiving
Kalija Lipscomb, SR, WR

Defense
Interceptions
Frank Coppet, JR, S

Sacks
Kenny Hebert, JR, LB

Tackles
Dimitri Moore, SO, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 13
RB 4
WR 7
OL 12
DL 13
LB 14
DB 11

Schedule 

DATE OPPONENT Pick
Sat, Aug 31 vs3 Georgia L
Sat, Sep 7 @Purdue L
Sat, Sep 21 vs6 LSU L
Sat, Sep 28 vsNorthern Illinois W
Sat, Oct 5 @Ole Miss L
Sat, Oct 12 vsUNLV W
Sat, Oct 19 vsMissouri L
Sat, Nov 2 @South Carolina L
Sat, Nov 9 @8 Florida L
Sat, Nov 16 vsKentucky W
Sat, Nov 23 vsEast Tennessee State W
Sat, Nov 30 @Tennessee L

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: LSU
Toughest Road Game: At Tennessee
Biggest Conference Game: ​Kentucky

SEC WEST

#1 Alabama 12-0 (8-0)

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Coach: Nick Saban
Offensive Coordinator: Steve Sarkisian
Defensive Coordinator: Pete Golding
Stadium: Bryant-Denny Stadium (101,821)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 14-1
​2017 13-1
2016 14-1
2015 14-1
2014 12-2

Top Returners

Offense
Passing
Tua Tagovailoa, JR, QB

Rushing
Najee Harris, JR, RB

Receiving
Jerry Jeudy, JR, WR

Defense
Interceptions
​Shyheim Carter, SR, S

Sacks
​Anfernee Jennings, SR, LB

Tackles
Dylan Moses, JR, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 1
RB 2
WR 1
OL 3
DL 2
LB 1
DB 3

Schedule 

DATE OPPONENT Pick
Sat, Aug 31 vsDuke * W
Sat, Sep 7 vsNew Mexico State W
Sat, Sep 14 @South Carolina W
Sat, Sep 21 vsSouthern Mississippi W
Sat, Sep 28 vsOle Miss W
Sat, Oct 12 @12 Texas A&M W
Sat, Oct 19 vsTennessee W
Sat, Oct 26 vsArkansas W
Sat, Nov 9 vs6 LSU W
Sat, Nov 16 @Mississippi State W
Sat, Nov 23 vsWestern Carolina W
Sat, Nov 30 @16 Auburn W

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: At Auburn
Toughest Road Game: At Auburn
Biggest Conference Game: ​LSU

#2 LSU 11-1 (7-1)

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Coach: Ed Orgeron 
Offensive Coordinator: Steve Ensminger
Defensive Coordinator: Dave Aranda
Stadium: Tiger Stadium (102,321)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 10-3
​2017 9-4
2016 8-4
2015 9-3
2014 8-5

Top Returners

Offense
Passing
Joe Burrow, SR, QB

Rushing
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, JR, RB

Receiving
Justin Jefferson, JR, WR

Defense
Interceptions
Grant Delpit, JR, S

Sacks
Grant Delpit, JR, S and Micheal Divinity Jr., SR, LB

Tackles
Jacob Phillips, JR, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 5
RB 7
WR 3
OL 4
DL 4
LB 2
DB 2

Schedule 

DATE OPPONENT Picks
Sat, Aug 31 vsGeorgia Southern W
Sat, Sep 7 @10 Texas W
Sat, Sep 14 vsNorthwestern State W
Sat, Sep 21 @Vanderbilt W
Sat, Oct 5 vsUtah State W
Sat, Oct 12 vs8 Florida W
Sat, Oct 19 @Mississippi State W
Sat, Oct 26 vs16 Auburn W
Sat, Nov 9 @2 Alabama L
Sat, Nov 16 @Ole Miss W
Sat, Nov 23 vsArkansas W
Sat, Nov 30 vs12 Texas A&M W

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: At Alabama
Toughest Road Game: At Alabama
Biggest Conference Game: ​At Alabama

#3 Auburn 10-2 (6-2)

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Head Coach: Gus Malzahn
Offensive Coordinator: Kodi Burns and Kenny Dillingham
Defensive Coordinator: Kevin Steele and Travis Williams
Stadium: Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018​ 8-5
​2017 10-4
2016 8-5
2015 7-6
2014 8-5

Top Returners

Offense
Passing
Malik Willis, JR, QB

Rushing
JaTarvious Whitlow, SO, RB

Receiving
Seth Williams, SO, WR

Defense
Interceptions
Four Players Tied at 2

Sacks
Nick Coe, JR, DE

Tackles
​Daniel Thomas, SR, S

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 6
RB 3
WR 4
OL 2
DL 1
LB 8
DB 4

Schedule 

DATE OPPONENT Pick
Sat, Aug 31 vs11 Oregon * W
Sat, Sep 7 vsTulane W
Sat, Sep 14 vsKent State W
Sat, Sep 21 @12 Texas A&M W
Sat, Sep 28 vsMississippi State W
Sat, Oct 5 @8 Florida W
Sat, Oct 19 @Arkansas W
Sat, Oct 26 @6 LSU L
Sat, Nov 2 vsOle Miss W
Sat, Nov 16 vs3 Georgia W
Sat, Nov 23 vsSamford W
Sat, Nov 30 vs2 Alabama L

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: Alabama
Toughest Road Game: At LSU
Biggest Conference Game: ​Georgia

#4 Texas A&M 7-5 (3-5)

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Coach: Jimbo Fisher
Offensive Coordinator: Darrell Dickey
Defensive Coordinator: Mike Elko
Stadium: Kyle Field (102,733)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 9-4
​2017 7-6
2016 8-5
2015 8-5
2014 8-5

Top Returners

Offense
Passing
Kellen Mond, JR, QB

Rushing
Kellen Mond, JR, QB

Receiving
Quartney Davis, JR, WR

Defense
Interceptions
Leon O'Neal Jr., SO, S

Sacks
Justin Madubuike, JR, DT

Tackles
​Justin Madubuike, JR, DT

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 4
RB 14
WR 6
OL 7
DL 5
LB 13
DB 10

Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Pick
Thu, Aug 29 vsTexas State W
Sat, Sep 7 @1 Clemson L
Sat, Sep 14 vsLamar W
Sat, Sep 21 vs16 Auburn W
Sat, Sep 28 vsArkansas * W
Sat, Oct 12 vs2 Alabama L
Sat, Oct 19 @Ole Miss W
Sat, Oct 26 vsMississippi State W
Sat, Nov 2 vsUTSA W
Sat, Nov 16 vsSouth Carolina W
Sat, Nov 23 @3 Georgia L
Sat, Nov 30 @6 LSU L

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: Alabama
Toughest Road Game: At Clemson
Biggest Conference Game: ​At Georgia

#5 Mississippi State 7-5 (3-5)

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Coach: Joe Moorhead
Offensive Coordinator: Joe Moorhead
Defensive Coordinator: Boob Shoop
Stadium: Davis Wade Stadium (61,337)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 8-5
​2017 9-4
2016 6-7
2015 9-4
2014 10-3
​

Top Returners

Offense
Passing
Keytaon Thompson, JR, QB

Rushing
Kylin Hill, JR, RB

Receiving
Osirus Mitchell, JR, WR

Defense
Interceptions
5 Players Tied at 2

Sacks
Willie Gay Jr., JR, LB

Tackles
Erroll Thompson, Jr, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 10
RB 8
WR 13
OL 6
DL 8
LB 4
DB 6

Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Pick
Sat, Aug 31 vsLouisiana * W
Sat, Sep 7 vsSouthern Mississippi W
Sat, Sep 14 vsKansas State W
Sat, Sep 21 vsKentucky W
Sat, Sep 28 @16 Auburn L
Sat, Oct 12 @Tennessee L
Sat, Oct 19 vs6 LSU L
Sat, Oct 26 @12 Texas A&M L
Sat, Nov 2 @Arkansas W
Sat, Nov 16 vs2 Alabama L
Sat, Nov 23 vsAbilene Christian W
Thu, Nov 28 vsOle Miss W

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: LSU
Toughest Road Game: At Auburn
Biggest Conference Game: ​Ole Miss

#6 Ole Miss 5-7 (2-6)

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Coach: Matt Luke
Offensive Coordinator: Rich Rodriguez
Defensive Coordinator: Mike Macintyre
Stadium: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (60,580)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 5-7
2017 6-6
2016 5-7
2015 10-3
2014 9-4

Top Returners

Offense
Passing
Matt Corral, FR, QB

Rushing
Scottie Phillips, SR, RB

Receiving
Elijah Moore, SO, WR

Defense
Interceptions
Vernon Dasher, SR, LB

Sacks
Benito Jones, SR, NT

​Tackles
Mohamed Sanogo, JR, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 14
RB 11
WR 14
OL 13
DL 11
LB 12
DB 13

Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Pick
Sat, Aug 31 @Memphis L
Sat, Sep 7 vsArkansas W
Sat, Sep 14 vsSoutheastern Louisiana W
Sat, Sep 21 vsCalifornia W
Sat, Sep 28 @2 Alabama L
Sat, Oct 5 vsVanderbilt W
Sat, Oct 12 @Missouri L
Sat, Oct 19 vs12 Texas A&M L
Sat, Nov 2 @16 Auburn L
Sat, Nov 9 vsNew Mexico State W
Sat, Nov 16 vs6 LSU L
Thu, Nov 28 @Mississippi State L

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: At Memphis
Toughest Road Game: At Alabama
Biggest Conference Game: ​At Mississippi State

#7 Arkansas 4-8 (0-8)

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Coach: Chad Morris 
Offensive Coordinator: Joe Craddock
Defensive Coordinator: John Chavis
Stadium: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium (72,000)
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Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 2-10
​2017 4-8 
2016 7-6
2015 8-5
2014 7-6

Top Returners

​Offense
Passing
Connor Noland, FR, QB

Rushing
Rakeem Boyd, JR, RB

Receiving
Cheyenne O'Grady, SR, TE

Defense
Interceptions
N/A

Sacks
McTelvin Agim, SR, DT

Tackles
De'Jon Harris, JR, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 11
RB 9
WR 12
OL 14
DL 9
LB 10
DB 14

Schedule 

DATE OPPONENT Pick
Sat, Aug 31 vsPortland State W
Sat, Sep 7 @Ole Miss L
Sat, Sep 14 vsColorado State W
Sat, Sep 21 vsSan Jose State W
Sat, Sep 28 vs12 Texas A&M * L
Sat, Oct 12 @Kentucky L
Sat, Oct 19 vs16 Auburn L
Sat, Oct 26 @2 Alabama L
Sat, Nov 2 vsMississippi State L
Sat, Nov 9 vsWestern Kentucky W
Sat, Nov 23 @6 LSU L
Fri, Nov 29 vsMissouri L

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: At Kentucky
Toughest Road Game: At Alabama
Biggest Conference Game: ​At LSU