We know it’s early with spring practice soon to begin, but there’s already three SEC teams with tremendous momentum heading into the 2016 season, including a couple you may not expect:

Auburn (ready for a return to the top 25) — This program wins titles when we expect them to suffer and suffers when we expect them to win titles. Don’t expect one of those wild swings this year. This doesn’t look like a College Football Playoff team. But 10 wins with the help of a bowl game? Sure. Especially if the Tigers can manage to upset either Alabama, LSU or Ole Miss. Carl Lawson’s return, assuming he’s healthy for a chunk of the season, is bigger than the loss of Will Muschamp. There are enough pieces there for a modest step forward on defense. But it’s on offense where this team has a real shot to improve. John Franklin III fits the profile of the quarterbacks with which coach Gus Malzahn has thrived. A full season of Jovon Robinson is exciting, and there should be less drama amongst the receivers.

South Carolina (from 3 wins back to a bowl) — It can’t get any worse than last season. After handing North Carolina what would be its only loss of the regular season, the Gamecocks finished 2-9 the rest of the year, including a loss to The Citadel. Although he brought in a handful of nice pieces, it’s going to take time for coach Will Muschamp to upgrade the talent. But the defensive line should get better by default. Muschamp and Kurt Roper are under tons of pressure to show signs of life on offense, and with an entire spring to game plan, perhaps the team can build the 2016 system around Lorenzo Nunez’ athleticism. East Carolina, UMass and Western Carolina are beatable, and the team is capable of competing with Mizzou, Kentucky and Vanderbilt in the East Division. Don’t be surprised if this team claws to 5-7 or 6-6 in the regular season and returns to a modest bowl game.

Tennessee (from 9 to 11 wins and an SEC East title) — Close calls against the likes of Alabama, Oklahoma and Florida defined 2015. But this team brings back as many key starters as any program in the conference. Ohio, Appalachian State and Tennessee Tech should be pretty automatic. The Vols are better than Virginia Tech in 2016 and that’s an easier win than last year’s tilt with the Sooners. Games against Florida and Georgia hardly are givens, but Tennessee should finish at least 5-1 against SEC East competition, with four pretty comfortable wins. Manage a split against Texas A&M and Alabama and the Vols should be in position to win 11 games either in the SEC Championship or a nice bowl. This team may not make the College Football Playoff, but finishing at the bottom of the top 10 is very realistic.