This offseason, there was little doubt Alabama would start this season as the prohibitive favorite for the SEC title.
But since the conference expanded, how many times has the preseason pick actually claimed that hardware? Four. And since 2018, five champions were picked fifth or lower in the preseason.
There’s no lack of challengers, either. Several analytic models rate the SEC as the top conference this year, and nine teams will start the year ranked in the Associated Press top-25 poll. If the Tide stumbles, Auburn, Tennessee or Arkansas will pounce quickly.
Meanwhile, the arrivals of Oklahoma and Texas will add two more potential combatants to the brawl that is the middle of the standings.