As “deep” as the SEC is this season — the conference nearly placed 10 teams in the preseason USA Today Coaches Poll — just a handful of programs enter September with a legitimate shot at a December victory in Atlanta.

We’ll start easy. Kentucky and Vanderbilt didn’t make bowl games last season. Both of those programs are striving for six wins and a postseason appearance, not a conference championship.

That leaves 12 teams, all of which made a bowl game and reached at least seven wins last season. But — and it’s going to start to get uncomfortable here for some of you — South Carolina, Mississippi State, Florida, Texas A&M, Missouri and Arkansas are not going to win an SEC or national championship in ’15.

Before you get too comfortable on Rocky Top, remember that your season nearly has changed in a drastic way — twice — already this month. First when receiver Von Pearson faced a student conduct hearing to get readmitted to the university. (Pearson had been indefinitely suspended following sexual assault allegations that did not lead to legal charges.) Then when receiver Marquez North sprained his knee and sent the internet ablaze with rumors he could be out for the season.

No, Vols. You’ve got some talent, but you’re too young and too thin beyond the upper crust to sustain that level of play for 13-plus games. You’re not built to contend with injuries and attrition. But you will be, starting in 2016. And you’re close.

For those of you excluded from the list of teams who have a legitimate chance at winning an SEC title, remember that only one program can claim that distinction. Last year, Alabama won. But that didn’t diminish exciting seasons at Mississippi State and Missouri, did it?

According to one sports book, the Razorbacks (+1000) and Vols (+1200) hold the biggest quibble in getting excluded from our list. But here are the five teams that can compete for an SEC championship and a College Football Playoff spot this season.

5. Ole Miss (+900): The Rebels feature as many as four potential first-round NFL draft picks. The Landshark defense lost two All-Americans in the secondary, which should still be fierce. Moving C.J. Johnson to middle linebacker behind defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche should make the Rebels stout up the gut. The offensive line, now experienced and healthy, can only get better. If Chad Kelly can emerge as a good quarterback, this roster has enough elite players to challenge anyone in the SEC, which we saw last year against Alabama.

4. LSU (+1000): Yes, I know — quarterback. But if the Tigers only can get decent play from the defensive line, we’re looking at another top-10 defense in Baton Rouge. The back seven is filled with future NFL players, as usual. And new coordinator Kevin Steele is motivated to erase everyone’s memories of the Clemson-West Virginia bowl game, his last holding that title. LSU lost three one-possession games last season, so the team was closer than its 8-5 record indicated. Leonard Fournette needed one year to blossom into a full-blown All-America type player. So did offensive coordinator Cam Cameron to learn how to teach a glorified high school quarterback. The margin for error is non-existent, but this team shouldn’t get blown out by anyone.

3. Alabama (+210): The combination of new secondary coach Mel Tucker and the maturation of some of the young five-star cornerbacks finally should lead to improved pass coverage. Assuming that happens, the Crimson Tide defense is going to be filthy again. Physical read-option teams with excellent quarterbacks and strong tempo still should challenge Alabama’s defense. But expect the points per game allowed to stay well below 20. On offense, Bama must contend with near-wholesale changes to the starting lineup. But Cam Robinson, Ryan Kelly, Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake make a nice nucleus. The receivers and quarterback should be just fine as well, with Lane Kiffin still in town. This team isn’t a dominant, clear-cut favorite like the ’11 and ’12 versions. But in my estimation, coach Nick Saban’s bunch is one of three teams with an excellent shot at an SEC title.

2. Auburn (+275): Much like Baylor and TCU, coach Gus Malzahn’s offense is operating much like an assembly line. Forget the loss of the team’s 1b at receiver, the SEC’s leading rusher, a two-year starter and SEC championship quarterback and a Rimington Trophy winner. The faces are new, but the results will be more or less the same. However, Malzahn has yet to figure out how to make the defense into enough of an asset like the Bears and Horned Frogs have in the Big 12. Hiring Will Muschamp is exciting, but I believe the personnel on defense, not the coordinator, has that unit primed for a major jump. Carl Lawson is “unblockable” after returning from an ACL tear, according to Malzahn. The secondary inherits two solid transfers from Michigan and Georgia. Five-star true freshman Byron Cowart should boost the pass rush. Two senior linebackers add stability, and defensive tackle Montravius Adams seems ready to grow into his ability. This team is more than hype.

1. Georgia (+500): I know, I know — coach Mark Richt hasn’t won an SEC title since 2005. So it’s been a decade. And UGA blew it last season, for what seems like the umpteenth time. The team was 5 yards from a likely national title in 2012. But the Bulldogs may be the most complete team in the SEC. Filthy offensive line? Check. Elite backfield? Double check. Strong pass rush? Three checks for Jordan Jenkins, Leonard Floyd and Lorenzo Carter. The team’s secondary, interior run defense and passing game aren’t going to send terror into the minds of too many opponents, but neither are they huge, exploitable weaknesses. Georgia rightfully is a huge favorite to win the East Division. Never mind regular-season games against Alabama, Auburn and Georgia Tech. If the Bulldogs take care of the East opponents, this team will be in Atlanta. That’s half the battle. And this year, the ‘Dawgs may be too good to screw up inside the division.

*All futures odds courtesy of Bovada.