While many leagues are sitting 2020 out the SEC is moving full speed ahead with the football season. However, in a year like no other, the league is playing 10 games in the conference only. That means no matchups against FCS opponents or teams from the Mid-American or Conference USA to pad win totals. Is it Florida and Georgia then everyone else? Or is there a dark horse (or two) out there? Let’s find out with our 2020 SEC East Predictions.<\/p>\n
Dan Mullen’s<\/strong><\/a> club has been closing the gap every year on Georgia. We’re saying this is the year they finally get it done. Kyle Trask<\/a><\/strong> returns for his senior season and is coming off throwing for nearly 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns. Two of his favorite targets return in tight end Kyle Pitts<\/a><\/strong> and wide receiver Kadarius Toney<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n The Gators are always strong on defense and 2020 is no exception.\u00a0Linebacker Ventrell Miller<\/a><\/strong>, cornerback\u00a0Kaiir Elam<\/a><\/strong> safety Shawn Davis<\/a><\/strong> are some of the names leading a very talented group for defensive coordinator Todd Grantham<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In his 11 years as a head coach, Mullen’s never made it to a conference championship game. If this is the year, though they have to overcome a tough schedule.<\/a> However, hosting Texas A&M and going to Arkansas should equal two wins.<\/p>\n In order to make it to a fourth straight SEC title game Kirby Smart’s<\/strong><\/a> club must first find a quarterback. It could be Wake Forest transfer Jamie Newman<\/a><\/strong>, USC<\/strong> transfer JT Daniels<\/a><\/strong> or three other possibilities. As usual, the running backs are loaded behind Zamir White<\/a><\/strong> and James Cook<\/a>. <\/strong>In addition, watch out for five-star recruit Kendall Milton<\/strong>. With 49 receptions a year ago George Pickens<\/a><\/strong> heads the wide receivers.<\/p>\n On the other side of the ball linebacker, Monty Rice<\/a><\/strong> leads the defense. Safety\u00a0Richard Lecounte III<\/a><\/strong> is an All-American candidate coming off 61 tackles and a team-high four interceptions in 2019.<\/p>\n The Bulldogs got the sweet end of the deal\u00a0with their schedule. <\/a>Going to Arkansas and hosting Mississippi State means two easy wins. Once again the SEC East most likely comes down to that November 7th matchup against Florida in Jacksonville unless another team spoils the party.<\/p>\n Last season injuries to quarterbacks Terry Wilson<\/a><\/strong> and Sawyer Smith<\/a><\/strong> forced the Cats to get creative. After moving receiver\u00a0Lynn Bowden<\/a> <\/strong>back to his high school position the Cats went on an impressive eight-game run culminating in Belk Bowl win.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Bowden’s gone to the Las Vegas Raiders but Wilson is healthy and ready to go. <\/a>Behind him is one of the SEC’s best\u00a0sets of running backs <\/a>in the SEC. The three-headed attack of A.J. Rose<\/strong>,<\/a> Kavosiey<\/strong> Smoke<\/strong><\/a>, and Christopher Rodriguez <\/a><\/strong> combined for nearly 2,000 yards behind “The Big Blue Wall.”<\/p>\n Linebackers DeAndre Square<\/a><\/strong> and Jamin Davis<\/a><\/strong> are strong up the middle while LSU transfer Kelvin Joseph<\/a><\/strong> adds to an already impressive secondary. Yusuf Corker<\/a><\/strong> and\u00a0Brandin Echols<\/a> <\/strong>are All-SEC caliber players.<\/p>\n One thing that might be Kentucky’s undoing is the schedule. Already traveling to Auburn, Florida, and Tennessee the Cats now travel to Alabama too. <\/a>Win a couple of those games and things could get interesting in the east.<\/p>\n As we continue with our 2020 SEC East predictions let’s look at another dark horse team.<\/p>\n Five games into last season\u00a0Jeremy Pruitt’s<\/a> <\/strong>squad was 1-4. However, they won seven of their last eight including six in a row. A huge comeback win over Indiana in the\u00a0Gator Bowl<\/a> punctuated the season.<\/p>\n In order to take the next step, they need a big year from quarterback Jarrett Guarantano<\/a><\/strong>. As a junior last year, he threw for 2,158 yards and 16 touchdowns. Much like Kentucky they also have a three-headed attack in the backfield. Ty Chandler<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Eric Gray<\/a>,<\/strong> and\u00a0Tim Jordan<\/a><\/strong> combined for over 1,600 yards.<\/p>\n The Vols are strong upfront on defense with ends Aubrey Solomon<\/a><\/strong> and Darel Middleton<\/a><\/strong>. In addition, a returning Emmit Gooden<\/a><\/strong> from a torn ACL only enhances the unit. Linebacker\u00a0Henry To’o To’o<\/a><\/strong> along with\u00a0Jaylen McCollough<\/a><\/strong> and\u00a0Bryce Thompson<\/a><\/strong> in the secondary are names to watch.<\/p>\n If Kentucky isn’t the dark horse in 2020 then many believe it’s Tennessee. The strong finish a season ago has the Big Orange Faithful believing a return to the glory days is near.<\/p>\n Use any sports cliche’ you want but this is an important year for\u00a0Will Muschamp<\/a>.<\/strong> The Gamecocks finished 4-8 in 2019 losing five of their last six. Some of that can be attributed to quarterback Jake Bentley’s<\/a> <\/strong>injury. He has since transferred to Utah<\/strong> where he and the rest of the Pac-12 will hopefully play in the spring.<\/p>\n Ryan Hillinski<\/a><\/strong> returns under center for Muschamp. As a true freshman, he threw for 2,357 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Carolina backfield took a major hit when freshman MarShawn Lloyd<\/strong> torn his ACL and is out for the year. With the top three backs gone from 2019 someone has to step up. When Hillinski throws it, which may be a lot,\u00a0Shi Smith<\/a><\/strong> is his main target.<\/p>\n On the other side of the ball the defense is led by defensive end\u00a0Aaron Sterling<\/a><\/strong> and cornerback Isreal Mukuamu<\/a><\/strong> A season ago they were 4-0 when holding opponents to under 20 points.<\/p>\n Muschamp brought in former Colorado State head coach\u00a0Mike Bobo<\/a><\/strong> as offensive coordinator in hopes of improving that side of the ball. The schedule is pretty tough starting off with Tennessee and Florida. It’s hard to see much improvement in the 2020 win total.<\/p>\n As we round out our 2020 SEC East Predictions it’s time to look at the two teams who on paper at least appear destined for cellar.<\/p>\n There’s no doubt new coach\u00a0Eli Drinkwitz<\/a><\/strong> has some holes to fill on offense, most notably under center. Former TCU transfer\u00a0Shawn Robinson<\/a><\/strong> looks like the starter with competition from Taylor Powell<\/a><\/strong>. The latter got plenty of reps when\u00a0Kelly Bryant<\/a><\/strong> was injured.\u00a0Larry Roundtree III<\/a><\/strong> returns after rushing for 829 yards a season ago. Virginia Tech grad transfer\u00a0Damon Hazelton Jr.<\/a><\/strong> and\u00a0Barrett Banister<\/a><\/strong> should be the top receiving targets.<\/p>\n The defense looks pretty strong heading into 2020 returning seven starters from a defense which ranked 14th in the nation in yards allowed. The top three tacklers from a year ago, linebacker\u00a0Nick Bolton<\/a><\/strong> and safeties\u00a0Tyree Gilliespie<\/a><\/strong> and\u00a0Joshuah Bledsoe<\/a><\/strong> return.<\/p>\n Drinkwitz went 12-1 in his lone season at Appalachian State. However, he’s got his work cut out for him this year. In addition to the always-tough SEC schedule, the Tigers drew Alabama and LSU as their added opponents. <\/a>Nothing to worry about right? Look for more improvement in season two.<\/p>\n Late last season athletic director Malcolm Turner<\/strong> announced\u00a0Derek Mason<\/a><\/strong> would return for another year. Turner since resigned and things aren’t looking very promising in Nashville.<\/p>\n New offensive coordinator Todd Fitch<\/strong> hopes to jump-start an offense that scored 14 points or less seven times. Furthermore, they must find a quarterback as they have no returning experience. Freshman Ken Seals<\/strong> did some great things in the spring and may end up with the job. If not look for either Jeremy Moussa<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Mike Wright<\/a><\/strong>, or former Kentucky quarterback\u00a0Danny Clark<\/a><\/strong> under center in week one. Jamauri Wakefield<\/a><\/strong> takes over for\u00a0Kalija Lipscomb<\/a><\/strong> in the backfield while\u00a0Cam Johnson<\/a><\/strong> is the top receiver.<\/p>\n The defense returns 10 starters from a year ago. However, the group gave up 436 yards and 32 points a game. Linebacker Dimitri Moore<\/a><\/strong>, who originally elected not to play in 202, led with 99 tackles. In fact, their top 11 tacklers return from 2019.<\/p>\n Vanderbilt drew LSU and Mississippi State as their added teams, only adding on to what’s going to be a difficult year.<\/p>\nWho’s Under Center?<\/h4>\n
2. Georgia<\/h5>\n
The Dark Horse<\/h4>\n
3. Kentucky<\/h5>\n
Making The Jump<\/h4>\n
4. Tennessee<\/h5>\n
A Big Season<\/h4>\n
5. South Carolina<\/h5>\n
Lots Of Work To Do<\/h4>\n
6. Missouri<\/h5>\n
A Long Season?<\/h4>\n
7. Vanderbilt<\/h5>\n