South Bound & Down
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SEC Football Way-Too-Early 2017-18 Hot Takes

By Michael Collins

Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide cheerleaders and mascot celebrate in the confetti after the SEC Championship college football game against the Florida Gators at Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Florida 54-16. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide cheerleaders and mascot celebrate in the confetti after the SEC Championship college football game against the Florida Gators at Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Florida 54-16. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; View of the trophy Alabama Crimson Tide won after the SEC Championship college football game against the Florida Gators at Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Florida 54-16. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; View of the trophy Alabama Crimson Tide won after the SEC Championship college football game against the Florida Gators at Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Florida 54-16. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Who’s Going to Atlanta?

This is where things get tricky. Predicting the two representatives in the SEC Championship Game. Who will get to play in the fancy new Atlanta digs called Mercedes Benz Stadium?

Most will probably pick Alabama from the west out of habit. They’ve lost little in the way of irreplaceable talent, they had another No. 1 recruiting class, and they still have Nick Saban. However, lots of coaching staff changes and the odds of yet another SEC West title are stacking the deck against the Crimson Tide.

The SEC East is – as it has been the last several years – up for grabs. Some teams will be slightly up, some slightly down, and some (like Georgia) we aren’t really sure what to expect. This is anyone’s division (yes, even Vanderbilt).

Pick In the West: LSU Tigers

For all intents and purposes, Ed Orgeron is in his second season as head coach of the Tigers. That’s usually a season when things start to really gel for a coach and team, and this LSU team will be playing with a lot of emotion. The big question mark will be quarterback Danny Etling. If he can manage games and play smart football, LSU has a great shot at winning the West.

Don’t count Alabama out, but the Crimson Tide have more than one landmine in their way while trying to navigate their way to a fifth SEC West title in the last six years.

Pick in the East: Georgia Bulldogs

For half a dozen years, media members have been saying “Georgia has the best team in the East, and should win it”. Well this year (if they have the guts to go down that road again) they’ll be right. Georgia’s recruiting class will prove fruitful to second year head coach Kirby Smart.

Tennessee is falling off, South Carolina is a few seasons away, and Florida is going to pay for not having the quarterback situation settled. Kentucky and Vanderbilt are possible threats if everything goes their way, but it’s unlikely. Missouri is still wretched-looking.

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