SEC Football: Season preview and final standings predictions

SEC Champion – Alabama (15 first place votes)

Also receiving votes – Auburn (1)

In a stunning turn of events, the Alabama Crimson Tide were not unanimous selections to win the SEC. Actually, there wasn’t a single unanimous conference champion projected by the Saturday Blitz staff this season.

More: Game by game predictions for Alabama in 2017

Nick Saban is on his way to becoming the greatest college football coach in the history of the game. Adding one more championship to his trophy case would tie him with Alabama legend Bear Bryant. Even during years where he hasn’t won it all, his teams have still been among the elite squads in college football. His worst season since 2008, his second year in Tuscaloosa, came in 2010 when he went a depressing 10-3.

Alabama is going to be dominant once again in 2017, and the inconsistent offenses of Florida and Georgia aren’t going to be able to get it done in a potential championship game matchup. Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson exposed the way to control the Tide. You have to go right at them.

It’s going to take an above average defense and an elite offense to challenge Alabama for SEC supremacy. Who fits that bill? Auburn is the likeliest candidate, but teams like LSU, Texas A&M and South Carolina have enough pieces to put some points on the board against the Tide. If they can hang a couple of early touchdowns on the Tide and make an opportunistic stop, or two, things could get interesting in the race for the SEC Title.

Next: Rankings the top 50 players in college football in 2017

What do you think? Should oddsmakers start writing in the Crimson Tide with a sharpie? Or will Saban’s young defensive unit end up faltering down the stretch? Crazier things have happened in college football. Exhibit A: The Kick Six. Can Alabama be beat again? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook or Twitter.