By Vince Ferrara / @VinceSports
Here’s my 2022 SEC predictions with records and analysis in my blog “Vince’s View.”
SEC East
Georgia 8-0 12-0
Tennessee 5-3 9-3
Kentucky 4-4 8-4
South Carolina 3-5 6-6
Florida 3-5 6-6
Missouri 2-6 5-7
Vanderbilt 1-7 4-8
SEC West
Alabama 7-1 11-1
Texas A&M 5-3 9-3
LSU 5-3 9-3
Arkansas 4-4 8-4
Ole Miss 4-4 8-4
Miss State 3-5 7-5
Auburn 2-6 5-7
SEC Championship: Alabama defeats Georgia
Alabama and Georgia in College Football Playoff
Tennessee: Because of trust in Hendon Hooker, positive signs of good players becoming All-SEC caliber in defense and the culture/coaching of Josh Heupel and this staff, I upped my early off-season 8-4 regular season to 9-3. I know some are talking 10-2 or 11-1 scenarios but even with an excellent summer with plenty of positive developments, this roster isn’t there yet to win the division and get to Georgia/Alabama range. I think those games will be closer than last season, but still end up as losses. There are steps to that and this Tennessee program is climbing the ladder. The schedule is free of a treacherous consecutive week gauntlet. The offense will be one of the league’s best again. AS long as the defense improves a little, the wins should increase. The Vols should again be Top 4 on special teams as well with more team speed, athleticism and solid kickers. Depth is still a concern. The Florida game is the 8 to 9 win swing game for me.
SEC: There’s still a gap between Georgia/Alabama and everyone else. No, one regular season loss from time-to-time doesn’t mean they are falling back. I think, because Alabama has a number of tricky games (Tennessee may arguably be the toughest) that someone is trip them up early. The talent is so deep, the Tide will be there at the end. Georgia has an easier route to Atlanta. You could make a case that Tennessee will be Georgia’s still challenge also. The West is so loaded. I think a bunch of those teams will be better their SEC record will show because of the depth of competition. I only see two NCG contenders but there are a bunch of Top 25 teams. I think the SEC gets 11 bowl eligible.
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