SEC Football: What we learned from 2020, questions for 2021 season

How good is Texas A&M?

The Texas A&M Aggies had their best season under Jimbo Fisher. The Aggies’ 9-1 record was the best in College Station since Manziel Mania in 2012 and the first season with one loss or fewer since 1994 and the old Southwest Conference.

Is there more on the Aggies’ horizon, or has Fisher bumped the ceiling of the Aggies’ program?

The real question is, “Can the Aggies beat Alabama?” Based on the 52-24 result this season, the short answer is no. However, the Crimson Tide turn over a huge part of their roster. The offense loses Mac Jones, Najee Harris, Heisman winner DeVonta Smith, Alex Leatherwood, Landon Dickerson, Miller Forristall and Deonte Brown. Defensively, the Tide lose Dylan Moses, Patrick Surtain II and Christian Barmore.

Couple those losses with the Aggies returning key pieces like Isaiah Spiller, and that vaunted sophomore class will all be juniors; if there is any year the Aggies have a chance to beat the Tide, it is next season.

 Can LSU rebound next season?

The Bayou Bengals had as bad a national championship follow-up season as there’s been in college football. Can they rebound next season? The positive about this season is so many young players saw the field. To their credit, the Tigers did not fold their tents and mail it in this season. After losing 3-of-4 games, including two blowout losses to Auburn and Alabama, LSU ended their season with two wins, including an upset of No. 6 Florida.

If the Tigers want to get close to championship form, there are some steps the Tigers have to take to get back to the top of the SEC in 2021. First, Bo Pelini was not the answer at defensive coordinator. In Pelini’s defense, there was little offseason, and there were many new faces on the defense. The Tigers did lose eight players from the 2019 season.

Who is going to play quarterback next season? After Myles Brennan got hurt, both Max Johnson and TJ Finley saw action. Also, can Steve Ensminger and Scott Linehan find chemistry with a full offseason?

This team will be young next season, so it might be a bit more of the same, but they are talented.

Does JT Daniels make Georgia the East favorite?

Kirby Smart has had a great run at Georgia. The former Bulldogs’ defensive back has recruited at a level rivaled by only Ohio State and Alabama. The Bulldogs have won the SEC and played for a national title since Smart took over in 2016. That is not enough for Bulldogs’ fans. The expectation is for Smart to topple his mentor and win titles. Smart has, however, failed to do that consistently.