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SEC Football Power Rankings 2017: Week 1 edition

By Hunter Kinniburgh

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Quarterback Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs with the ball as linebacker Dorian O'Daniel #6 of the Clemson Tigers attempts to tackle him during the first half of the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Quarterback Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs with the ball as linebacker Dorian O'Daniel #6 of the Clemson Tigers attempts to tackle him during the first half of the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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GAINESVILLE, FL – SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach Jim McElwain leads the Florida Gators onto the field before the game against the North Texas Mean Green at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL – SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach Jim McElwain leads the Florida Gators onto the field before the game against the North Texas Mean Green at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /

Florida looks like an SEC contender from the outside but it feels as if we’ve seen that look from Florida before only to see them fall short. The Gators have a chance to make a huge statement on Saturday, should they beat the Michigan Wolverines.

Related Story: Florida Football: 2017 season preview, predictions

Whoever starts at quarterback for the Gators will have to be ready to face a stingy Wolverine defense. The offense for Florida should have plenty of potential, even if Antonio Callaway is suspended for the first game. The offense returns nine starters overall. Meaning they’re in tune and can be a successful unit.

The defense will be interesting to say the least. Florida lost eight starters to graduation or the NFL draft. That is never easy to replace, certainly not in an opening matchup against a top 15 team. Cece Jefferson will be the backbone of the defense at DE. Along with Duke Dawson and Chauncy Gardner in the secondary.

LSU will be fun to watch, especially for Tigers fans as they finally get a more wide open offense under new offensive coordinator Matt Canada. While LSU loses Leonard Fournette, they still have Derrius Guice who should be one of if not the best running back in the SEC for 2017. New coach Ed Orgeron has a lot to prove in his first full season at the helm.

LSU returns Danny Etling at quarterback and while he may not wow with his physical tools, he was more than serviceable as the starter last season. I would expect Etling to improve and LSU will have weapons, such Guice and D.J. Chark for him to work with. LSU also has a very experienced offensive line which will pay dividends for Etling and the rest of the offense.

Dave Aranda’s defense loses key players in Jamal Adams, Kendell Beckwith and Duke Riley. Luckily, they do return Arden Key, Donte Jackson and Kevin Toliver. The LSU defense might start somewhat slow, but I would expect them to be a dangerous unit as the season progresses.

Such as the same way that this season is important for Kevin Sumlin and Butch Jones, the season is equally important to Gus Malzahn at Auburn. Malzahn has to get things turned around and have a contending season and challenge Alabama perhaps just to keep his job. The addition of Jarett Stidham will help his chances.

Stidham showed flashes of brilliance when he was a freshman at Baylor and his presence in the offense will be needed for Malzahn and huge improvement over Sean White and others. But great offenses aren’t made over night and time will tell just how well Stidham and the rest of the offense gel with each other.

Kamryn Pettway will certainly help. The big back was impressive last season, rushing for almost 1,300 yards and seven TDs in 2016. The defense returns seven starters and look to be an improved unit. The secondary should be one of the best in the conference, led by safety Tray Matthews.

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