Randy Smith: Tennessee To Finish On Top In The SEC East

A couple of days ago I predicted LSU to win the SEC West. Some folks have questioned my sanity but I'm really not the only person to make that choice....but we're definitely in the minority.

In the East, the two time-defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs are a prohibitive favorite. However, The Tennessee Volunteers are good enough to beat the Dawgs when they visit Knoxville, but remember....whoever wins that game would have to lose twice in league play to be knocked out of the SEC Championship Game.

SEC East

7. Vanderbilt- During the off season Vandy Coach Clark Lea said he wants his program to become the best in the country. I admire his optimism but Coach....that ain't going to happen. For decades, the Commodores have gotten out of the cellar just a handful of times and they've never won a title, at least since I've been alive. Last year in Coach Lea's second season the Black and Gold barely missed making it to a bowl game. That has nothing at all to do with 2023 however. There is good news and bad news for Vandy. The good news is....they return seven starters on defense. The bad news is....Vandy returns seven starters to a defensive unit that surrendered more than 40 points per game in SEC play in 2022. The Commodores could be a bit better but they will remain in the East cellar.

6. Missouri- Coach Eli Drinkwitz is said to have a warmer seat than most coaches. The Tigers won six games last year but they were atrocious on offense, averaging less than 25 points per game. On defense they gave up only 25 points per game which made them competitive. The Tigers have a new play caller in Kirby Moore and a Miami transfer quarterback in Jake Garcia who may push returning starter Brady Cook for playing time. Defense will still be the team's strong point as the Tigers return eight starters from that pretty good group from last year. But line play on both sides must get better.

5. Florida- The Gators aren't accustomed to being picked to finish this low but second year Coach Billy Napier is in the midst of a major rebuilding project in Gainesville. The Gators are simply not a good football team. The best player for Florida a year ago was quarterback Anthony Richardson but he's now in the NFL. Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz is in camp but he is no Anthony Richardson. This could be a 2-3 year project. Gator fans need to be very patient, which is something they'haven't had a lot of success doing. Napier has his work cut out and someone needs to step up and make some plays.

4. Kentucky- Coach Mark Stoops took to the Transfer Portal and brought in N.C. State quarterback Devin Leary and he hired former offensive coordinator Liam Coen back to try to fix an anemic offense that barely scored 20 points per game in 2022. The Wildcats were 7-6 a year ago, which was down a bit from the 2021 season. Defense was what kept the 'Cats going last year as they gave up 19 points per game. In addition to having one of the best group of receivers in the SEC, the Wildcats also have a great linebacking corps. But the key is offense if Kentucky is able to finish higher in the East.

3. South Carolina- The Gamecocks scored two huge upsets late last year, beating Tennessee and then rival Clemson before losing a close one to Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl in December. Coach Shane Beamer has done a wonderful job in two years in Columbia and the catalyst last year was Oklahoma transfer Spencer Rattler. Rattler was less than mediocre through the Cocks first 10 games last year but put up record breaking numbers in the final three games and his name is being tossed around as a Heisman Trophy candidate in 2023. There are some depth problems, but, like every other team, South Carolina made good use of the Transfer Portal.

2. Georgia- What ?????? You're saying this idiot is not picking Georgia to win the East? Remember what I wrote at the top of this column. Whoever wins the Tennessee-Georgia game has a big leg up in the divisional race. The Bulldogs have some big questions to answer and the biggest question is....Who is going to replace Stetson Bennett IV? Bennett is arguably the best quarterback ever at Georgia, at least he's the winningest. Kirby Smart is exactly where Nick Saban was a few years ago. He doesn't rebuild, he just reloads and while Georgia may be called a dynasty, the Dawgs' good fortune can't last forever. Keep in mind one loss for Georgia won't keep them from defending their national title.

1. Tennessee- I know what a lot of folks are thinking. Oh that guy is just a Tennessee homer. I may be but this is just common sense. Of course, the Volunteers have to keep up their end of the bargain. Everyone is concerned about losing quarterback Hendon Hooker, but I have said all along that Joe Milton III is more than good enough to get the job done. After all Hooker himself said that Milton was the best athlete in the country. Tennessee also lost two great receivers in Jalen Hyatt and Cedric Tillman, but the coaches feel good about Bru McCoy and Squirrel White. The Vols' defense gave up a touchdown per game less last year than they did in 2021. That's quite a bit of improvement and it really showed when they throttled Clemson in the Orange Bowl. A lot of good things must happen if Tennessee wins the East, but since this is the last year for divisional play in the SEC anything can happen.

In the SEC Championship game, I'm picking LSU to beat Tennessee.