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Will any SEC teams be ranked in the top 5 of the 2016 AP preseason poll?
By John Brasier
Published:
Now that the college football season is almost over — Alabama can win a fourth national title under Nick Saban next Monday night — 13 of the 14 SEC teams can focus on next season.
Who will be the SEC’s top team in 2016, and its top contender to win the national title? Will there be an SEC team in the preseason top 5?
There could be some changes in the ranks, especially in the East Division, where surprises have been the rule.
Florida followed up Missouri’s amazing two-year run in the East with the title in Jim McElwain’s first season. Though Tennessee is expected to be the 2016 preseason favorite, the Volunteers have yet to show they can win close games under Butch Jones. Georgia and Florida may be only a solid quarterback away from taking the title.
But the West is where the strength of the SEC has been since Urban Meyer left Florida.
Which team will be high in the preseason polling? Look no further than Alabama. The Crimson Tide has been in the AP preseason top 5 every year since ranking third in 2009.
And Nick Saban’s teams have justified their lofty preseason support, so the better question might be: Will the SEC have two teams in the top 5 when the poll comes out in August?
Since 2010, the Tide was ranked No. 1 in the preseason AP poll in 2010 and 2012 and No. 2 in 2011, 2012 and 2014 before falling to No. 3 in 2015.
Despite heavy losses — especially on defense — the Tide should be back in the starting five in 2016. Nick Saban doesn’t rebuild. He reloads with a top-flight talent.
Blake Barnett, a five-star recruit who redshirted as a freshman this season, is the likely successor to Jake Coker at quarterback, though returnees David Cornwell and Cooper Bateman could contend, too.
The Tide loses center Ryan Kelly and right tackle Dominick Jackson, but the Tide is deep on the offensive line. Tackles Korren Kirven and Brandon Greene each have started a game. J.C. Hassenauer, rated the top prep center prospect in 2013, replaced Kelly when the senior was hurt against Texas A&M.
Calvin Ridley and ArDarius Stewart return at the receiver spots with Daylon Charlot leading a solid group of returning sophomores. Henry’s replacement is likely to be picked from sophomores Bo Scarbrough and Damien Harris.
The Tide will have to rebuild its defense, starting with the front seven, which would all be gone if junior LB Rueben Foster declares for the NFL Draft. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick return as sophomore starters.
But Alabama has stockpiled talent. If the nation’s top defense drops only a few notches, the Tide will remain an elite team.
Alabama is the only SEC team likely to make the 2016 AP preseason top 5.
Though the league is filled with several teams that could make a run for the conference championship and College Football Playoff, the rest have perceived weaknesses that will prevent them for cracking the preseason top 5.
Ole Miss will lose at least three first-round picks to the NFL Draft. If QB Chad Kelly leaves, too, the Rebels would likely face a learning curve with incoming freshman Shea Patterson.
LSU has too many questions at quarterback to poll top 5 votes. But with Leonard Fournette and most of their starters returning, the Tigers could rise into the top 5 during the season if Brandon Harris or another quarterback develops into a threat to complement the running game.
In the East, Tennessee returns the duo of QB Joshua Dobbs and RB Jalen Hurd to lead the offense. The Volunteers lose only five starters if LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin returns for his senior season. If Dobbs can improve his passing skills, the Vols should be dangerous. Florida and Georgia are darkhorses, who could contend if they find a capable quarterback.
