
Sportsbook Sets 2014 Win Totals for All 14 SEC Teams
Having seven teams in the first preseason college football poll means that expectations are high for the Southeastern Conference, but how does that translate to Vegas' predictions for 2014?
Sportsbook has listed its win totals for all 14 SEC teams based on each team's projected 12-game regular season record. The odds favor the Crimson Tide to win the conference as the only team with a double-digit win total.
Let's go ahead and take a look at each team and assess which side of the number they will fall on this season.
Alabama (10.5) - The Crimson Tide benefits from a favorable schedule that likely will see Nick Saban's squad listed as a favorite in every game. For Alabama to surpass this total, it can only suffer one defeat, which would most likely come from either Ole Miss, LSU, or Auburn. Despite uncertainty at a few positions, Alabama has a great chance to end with one blemish or fewer.
Arkansas (4.5) - We'll learn a lot about what year two has in store for head coach Bret Bielema in the week one matchup against Auburn, but most signs point towards a much stronger Razorbacks team. Arkansas might need to pull at least two upsets this year to win five games or more. Thanks to every big game being at home after Auburn, Arkansas could easily get to six games.
Auburn (9) - Everyone wants to point to the miracles of 2014 as the reason this team won't come close to accomplishing what it did last year, but most fans overlook the fact that Guz Malzahn was way ahead of schedule even without last-second wins over Georgia and Alabama. Expect him to continue building this program around a great offensive system and challenge, once again, for the SEC title.
Florida (7.5) - Can Will Muschamp right the ship and move Florida back towards elite status? Surely his luck will improve in 2014 along with the team's confidence with three cupcakes to begin the year. Unfortunately, the Gators have a brutal five-game stretch in the middle of the season that could derail the Muschamp-era for good. A 7-5 record or worse seems probable.
Georgia (9.5) - If Georgia can win one or both of its opening games against Clemson and South Carolina, Mark Richt's squad could be in line for another trip to Atlanta in December. The Bulldogs won't play Alabama or LSU during the regular season, but 10 wins is far from a guarantee. In fact, getting into double-digits would be a huge year for Georgia.
Kentucky (3.5) - Mark Stoops would have to double his win total from year one to beat Sportsbook's projection. The Wildcats will show improvement across the board, but it probably won't translate to more victories. Avoiding Alabama and Auburn won't matter as Kentucky will scratch and claw for three wins.
LSU (9) - This program has dealt with a lot of early departures to the NFL, but Les Miles continues to keep the LSU program at the top of college football. Expectations are a bit lower this season with some uncertainty at quarterback, but the the Tigers have a favorable schedule. If Miles can continue his success against high-profile, non-conference foes, LSU will be in the middle of the College Football Playoff conversation as November rolls around.
Mississippi State (7.5) - Some people believe this Bulldogs team could win 10 games thanks to a conference schedule that only includes Kentucky and Vanderbilt out of the East Division. But this team still has to play everyone in the West and that will result in a number of L's. Dan Mullen needs to win 8 games or more in 2014 to prove he can compete in this league, and he'll do it.
Missouri (7.5) - Despite a runner-up finish in the SEC a year ago, no one has given the Tigers any respect in 2014, which is fine with Gary Pinkel. There will be a lot of talent to replace, including the unplanned loss of Dorial Green-Beckham, but the team knows what it has at quarterback in Maty Mauk. Missouri will be traveling for most of its biggest matchups, will will likely lead to a down year on paper.
Ole Miss (8.5) - If the Rebels are going to break through in the West, this needs to be the year. The schedule brings Alabama, Tennessee, Auburn, and Mississippi State to Oxford. Quarterback Bo Wallace is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the country, and that highly-touted class of freshmen in 2013 now have a year under their belts. For Ole Miss to finish 9-3 or better, it needs to be 4-0 heading into the Alabama matchup. Even then, it'll be an uphill battle in that division.
South Carolina (9.5) - The Gamecocks have a great chance to win the school's first SEC Championship, but the schedule won't do the team any favors. Steve Spurrier's team travels to Auburn, Florida, and Clemson in the final five games of the year. The week three matchup with Georgia will likely determine the trajectory of the season and that game is at home. Ten wins seems attainable this year.
Tennessee (7.5) - This number might seem the most optimistic out of all of them. A 7-5 year would be a step in the right direction after the Vols finished 5-7 in 2013. With non-conference games against Utah State and Oklahoma, Tennessee might have to do most of its winning inside the conference, and that's never a good thing. This team should be much better in November than September, but the schedule is front-loaded. All signs point to fewer than 7.5 wins.
Texas A&M (7) - The post-Manziel era will be baptized by fire in a week one game at South Carolina, but the Aggies will settle into a renovated Kyle Field with a couple of easy games to follow. We all know how vital Johnny Football was to the team's successful transition into the SEC, but now we get to find out just how important he was to this program. Kevin Sumlin has recruited very well in College Station, but they'll likely need this year to rebuild. Seven wins sounds exactly right.
Vanderbilt (5.5) - First-year head coach Derek Mason will benefit from the easiest non-conference schedule in the SEC, which should result in four wins without even playing a league game. There's enough talent in Nashville avoid a losing record and continue the school's three-year bowl streak.
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