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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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ATHENS, GA – NOVEMBER 19: Jacob Eason #10 of the Georgia Bulldogs warms up before the game against the Lousiana-Lafayette Rajin’ Cajuns at Sanford Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA – NOVEMBER 19: Jacob Eason #10 of the Georgia Bulldogs warms up before the game against the Lousiana-Lafayette Rajin’ Cajuns at Sanford Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Georgia looks to be the most well rounded team in the East. And while the offense somewhat failed in 2016, I don’t foresee that being an issue in 2017. To put it quite simply, there is just too much talent on this team for them to not be good on offense. QB Jacob Eason should assert himself as a top SEC and national QB this year. Sony Michel and Nick Chubb have to be the best backfield duo in the nation and the fact that they’re both still there for their senior seasons is amazing.

The Bulldogs should be stout on defense as they return 10 starters from last season. If you want to have a strong defense, returning 10 starters will always help you. Lorenzo Carter, Roquan Smith, and Dominik Sanders are all studs on the defense. Kirby Smart’s second season should be a vast improvement from the first.

Surely you didn’t expect anyone but the Crimson Tide to be in the number one spot open 2017 right? Not much has to be said about this years squad. They’re talented and coached by Nick Saban.

In all seriousness, this team has the chance to be one of Saban’s best teams at Alabama. A dynamic offense, with a reloaded defense. Quarterback Jalen Hurts and running backs Bo Scarbrough, and Damien Harris create a formidable backfield. Hurts also has weapons on the outside in Calvin Ridley and Robert Foster.

The defense will miss players such as Reuben Foster, Johnathan Allen and Marlon Humphrey, but as we all know, Alabama just reloads and keeps on ticking. The opening game against Florida State will be a measure of just where this team is heading into 2017. Should they win, then they very well may not lose another game all year. Should they lose then they will have a chip on their shoulder throughout 2017 and still might not lose another game.

Next: College Football: Top 50 breakout candidates for 2017

Alabama is the class of the SEC once again. So strap in football fans, the season is sure to be an interesting one in the best conference in America.

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