Editor’s note: Saturday Down South’s annual Top 25 preview week continues with some of the hottest SEC takes for the 2023 season.

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You’ve gotta be at least a little bold.

Preseason predictions need to have some spice. If not, they’re bland chicken. Bland, flavorless chicken never made anyone happy.

So today, I will not give you that. I’ll instead give you some spice.

And yeah, sometimes, spice can lead to regret. We all remember that hot wing we took on that sent our sinuses into a frenzy, and sure, maybe you still went back for seconds. It’s a rush.

I decided to relive that rush 25 times with my SEC bold predictions for 2023:

25. Bobby Petrino is a Broyles Award finalist

Let’s start with a bang. Yes, I believe Petrino can and will call plays at a high level. This is the most talented roster he’s ever worked with at the college level, and I think an overhaul of A&M’s offense (more on that later) leads to the well-traveled coach having a banner season in College Station.

24. This time, Dallas Turner does lead the SEC in sacks

I say “this time” because the last time I predicted that Turner would lead the SEC in sacks was last year … and he had 4. Yeah, whiff. But I’m doubling down because now he’s going to perhaps get even more opportunities to rush the passer with Will Anderson off to the NFL. Kevin Steele’s impact on Alabama’s defense will be felt in the form of end-of-season All-America honors for Turner.

23. KJ Jefferson is considered a top-5 NFL QB prospect by season’s end

He’s not right now. Jefferson’s 2 years as a starter were spent in more of a college-style scheme with Kendal Briles, but now that he’s with Dan Enos, we’re going to see Jefferson squash the notion that he’s a liability as a passer. Even if it comes with more mistakes early on, I believe Jefferson will have shown a new side to his game in 2023. He improved as a passer last year without Treylon Burks, and with an exceptional quarterback developer in his ear in 2023, Jefferson’s growth will be noticed at the next level.

22. Zach Arnett is in the SEC Coach of the Year discussion

There are a ton of Mississippi State skeptics who probably don’t realize that Arnett was the steadying force of that team the last 3 years during the Mike Leach era. Arnett is the SEC’s youngest head coach since 2009 Lane Kiffin at Tennessee, but don’t mistake his youth or his admittedly atypical résumé — he’s only coached at 2 schools — as a reason to doubt a 9-win team with a prolific starting quarterback.

21. Sam Horn is Mizzou’s starting QB by mid-October

What Brady Cook did to close last season was solid, but I’m not sure he has a leash long enough to stave off a fan-favorite like Horn. In Year 2 with a bit more weight packed on, I think the dual-sport 6-4 gunslinger will vault both Jake Garcia and the incumbent Cook by the time that trip to Kentucky rolls around.

20. The SEC’s leading tackler is Nick Emmanwori

Emmanwori might’ve been snubbed from preseason All-SEC, but don’t get it twisted. He led all FBS freshmen in solo stops (62). The guy is already a tackling machine for the Gamecocks. He takes another step in Year 2.

19. AJ Swann breaks Kyle Shurmur’s Vandy single-season record for TD passes

That would mean Swann gets to 27 touchdown passes this year. I think with more offensive continuity than people realize — Will Sheppard is the best SEC receiver that nobody is talking about — Swann takes that step in Year 2. He’s not afraid of making those big-time throws … which is why he might also lead the SEC in interceptions.

18. LSU has 2 losses by the end of September

LSU plays 4 September games against Power 5 teams with a winning record, 3 of which are away from home. That’s daunting. Yes, LSU is worthy of starting in the preseason top 6 or 7, but I think we overlooked the fact that even in the midst of that midseason turnaround, it still got smacked by A&M in the regular-season finale. Brian Kelly has his most talented team ever, but I wonder if another slow start is in store, especially with that gauntlet to kick things off.

17. For the first time since 2011, Lane Kiffin beats a Power 5 team that wins at least 9 regular-season games … and it’s LSU

Yes, I believe LSU wins 9 games. No, I don’t believe one of them will be against Ole Miss. Against a team that likes to pin its ears back and run the football with some tempo, I question if LSU will be ready for that road matchup. That’ll end up being Kiffin’s first win against a Power 5 team with 9 regular-season wins since beating Oregon as USC’s head coach in 2011.

16. Brian Kelly gets win No. 2 vs. Nick Saban, but LSU doesn’t win the West

Sorry, LSU fans. I’ve had you on a roller-coaster so far. How would a 9-3 season with an Alabama win be viewed? Mostly positive, especially if those losses are close against quality competition. Alabama has 3 home losses to LSU during the Nick Saban era. With an LSU offense that’s plenty explosive and a defensive front that learns how to stop the run, the Tigers get the better of Alabama. This time, however, it doesn’t result in winning the West because of those aforementioned early-season struggles.

15. Florida’s regular season ends with a win vs. Playoff-hopeful Florida State

My guess is that Florida is better by the end of the season than early on. My other guess is all of those Florida State good vibes will be washed away by the Gators ending their Playoff hopes in The Swamp. Anthony Richardson didn’t complete a pass for 2 hours of real time for a Florida squad with decimated receivers, and they still nearly won that game in Tallahassee in the midst of FSU’s late-season run. Payback comes in 2023.

14. Not a single SEC head coach is fired at the end of 2023

I know what you’re thinking: When was the last time that happened? It was after 2018. I know what else you’re thinking: Why wouldn’t that happen? Well, the buyouts.

13. Georgia’s 2nd 1,000-yard receiver in program history is … Ladd McConkey

I’m tempted to go with Mizzou transfer Dominic Lovett here, but I’ve grown to really respect McConkey’s game. The dude can absolutely jet, he blocks like his job is on the line and he always seems to show up in the biggest moments. That’s a nice way to become a fast friend to a new starting quarterback. That nets Georgia its first 1,000-yard receiver — and 2nd in program history — since Terrence Edwards in 2002.

12. Hugh Freeze leads Auburn’s first top-40 passing offense since 1997

Wait, already? Even with all the uncertainty at receiver? Yeah. Here’s my thinking: My guess is that Payton Thorne is in a ton of obvious throwing situations. I think Freeze got Thorne out of the portal to establish that part of his offense and make Auburn a more inviting destination for receivers. A more high-volume passing offense gets Auburn a top-40 attack for the first time this century.

11. Devin Leary leads Kentucky to its best offense since 2007

In other words, yes, I think Liam Coen’s offense will one-up the 2021 squad, which had the best UK offense since 2007. I’ve been banging the drum for Leary and Co. all offseason. It’s perhaps the best group of receivers in program history and the addition of 1,000-yard rusher Ray Davis will be huge in a post-Chris Rodriguez world. That offensive line simply has to (and will) get better, and it has to stay healthy. So yes, I think UK averages better than 32.3 points per game and has its best offense in 16 years.

10. The SEC rushing title doesn’t go to Quinshon Judkins or Rocket Sanders … it goes to Jase McClellan

I say that as someone who ranked Judkins and Sanders at No. 3 and No. 5, respectively, among my top 25 SEC players in 2023. But I love me some McClellan. He was brilliant down the stretch when Jahmyr Gibbs was banged up. I know that 5-star freshman Justice Haynes has all the buzz, but I think McClellan is in for a massive year with this tweaked “murderball-focused” Alabama offense.

9. South Carolina finishes 2nd in the East

My belief is that you can poke holes in all the non-Georgia East teams. So why not default to the team that continues to defy expectations? Shane Beamer has 4 wins as a double-digit underdog, and all of them happened in November or later. That was with 2 teams with noted issues (poor offensive play-calling, struggled in trenches, inconsistent QB play, etc.). This team, with a new offensive play-caller in Dowell Loggains, can take another step and have the team’s best season of the post-Steve Spurrier era.

8. Alabama QB Tyler Buchner enters the transfer portal when the post-regular season window opens

Yeah, let’s get real bold. I think Buchner doesn’t win the starting job and he realizes that Ty Simpson is a star. With Simpson not Draft-eligible until after the 2024 season, Buchner elects to graduate early and take his multiple years of eligibility remaining elsewhere. That decision becomes obvious once his offensive coordinator leaves Alabama after 1 year (more on that in a minute).

7. Nico Iamaleava is Tennessee’s starter for at least 1 regular-season game

Lost in the shuffle of all the Joe Milton buzz is that he’s a Year 6 guy who is trying to hold down a starting job for the third time in his career. Can he do that? And can he overcome a bad 2- or 3-game stretch? It’s totally different when you have a 5-star quarterback waiting in the wings. My guess is that Iamaleava progresses mastering the tempo concepts. At some point, Josh Heupel feels the need to get his 5-star sensation some reps. Even if Milton looks the part, perhaps Heupel elects to let Iamaleava start that Nov. 4 game against UConn just so that he can give him a full week to prepare as a starter. One way or another, Iamaleava gets the nod at some point in 2023.

6. Tennessee’s Squirrel White leads the SEC in receiving

I know that there’s a ton of Dont’e Thornton and Ramel Keyton buzz, and Bru McCoy is the preseason All-SEC selection. But that Milton-White connection is special. White only had 1 game with 20 snaps in the first 11 weeks of the season, yet he finished the year with more 40-yard catches of any returning SEC receiver (6). Among all SEC receivers in 2022, only teammate Jalin Hyatt had more 40-yard grabs. With Hyatt off to the NFL, White is in for a massive opportunity operating out of the slot in Heupel’s offense.

5. A&M has a top-4 SEC offense

Yes, I believe this group is a schematic tweak from being one of the conference’s best. I believe in Conner Weigman after the promise he showed down the stretch, especially against LSU when they ran more pre-snap motion and tempo. This receiver room has loads of potential with Evan Stewart, captain Ainias Smith and Moose Muhammad III. And this offensive line has shades of the 2020 Maroon Goons, who thrived because of their continuity. Petrino running the offense and getting (mostly) full control is going to flip the offensive script in College Station.

4. Carson Beck represents the SEC in New York

I have all the Beck stock. All of it. I didn’t sell it in 2021 when Stetson Bennett IV seemingly leapfrogged him on the depth chart for the injured JT Daniels. If anything after the 2022 season wherein Beck looked the part as QB2 and the banner offseason he had, I’m more sold than ever that he’s ready for takeoff. I don’t think it’s a given that he plays as well in clutch moments as Bennett did, but a 35-touchdown pass season for a 13-0 Georgia team heading into New York feels very realistic, especially with that loaded group of pass-catchers.

3. LSU’s leader in TD passes is Garrett Nussmeier

This one could come back to bite me, but oh well. Gotta swing big. That’s essentially the Nussmeier philosophy. I do believe Jayden Daniels runs the ball less than last year when he led FBS quarterbacks in rushing attempts. I do, however, picture a world in which injuries catch up to him and Nussmeier takes over. Like we saw with his second-half brilliance against Georgia, Nussmeier isn’t afraid of anything. If and when that opportunity comes his way, he’ll be ready. And yeah, I think he’ll lead LSU to a victory at Alabama. How’s that for bold?

2. Tommy Rees is 1-and-done as Alabama’s OC … because he gets the Northwestern job

It makes too much sense. Rees went to high school on the North Shore of Chicago, he got his coaching start at Northwestern and he spent the following 6 years of his coaching career at his alma mater, Notre Dame, AKA Chicago’s real college team. I think after a successful season getting Alabama back to a more run-heavy approach, Northwestern comes calling for the newest Nick Saban disciple. Power 5 head coaching opportunities don’t grow on trees, even ones with massive rebuilds like Northwestern. Rees will become the youngest Power 5 coach in the country when he takes the job.

1. Georgia doesn’t win a national title

Yeah, imagine saying that a team failing to accomplish something that hasn’t been done since 1936 is bold. With Georgia, it is. What prevents the Dawgs from coming up short? It isn’t a lack of focus. It’s coaching. Specifically, Mike Bobo in a national championship game. When I close my eyes and picture UGA’s season, it has shades of 2018 Alabama. That is, a mostly smooth, unbeaten ride to a title game wherein it leads by 10 at halftime … only to watch the 3-peat dream slip away, one 3-and-out at a time. Instead of popping champagne for the third consecutive year, Georgia fans are left wondering why the offensive play-calling got conservative at the worst possible time. No 3-peat for the Dawgs.