Al.com has been in the business of projecting how the SEC will shake out for quite a while now.

The publication released its 71st annual prediction for the SEC East, which is determined by the votes of the division’s seven sports information directors; the directors are not allowed to vote for their own school.

Projections are a tricky business. Look no further than last year’s Al.com piece to learn that lesson.

Al.com 2016 SEC East projected order
1. Tennessee (Finished ranked 2nd)
2. Georgia (3rd)
3. Florida (1st)
4. Missouri (7th)
5. South Carolina (5th)
6. Kentucky (4th)
7. Vanderbilt (6th)

Most people would have expected the division to shake out like that prior to the start of the season, but that’s what makes college football so compelling. After winning so many close games, Tennessee looked destined to claim the much-coveted title, but injuries crippled to Vols in the second half of the season. Georgia had similar close calls but was much too inconsistent to stay in the hunt late in the season. Florida’s defense once again helped it reach Atlanta for the second year in a row.

At this point, Georgia looks to be the favorite to end Florida’s two-year streak, but it figures to be one of the tighter division races in college football. Tennessee, Kentucky and South Carolina all look capable of making things interesting this fall.

Al.com’s prediction shows that this is viewed as a five-team field, which should make for one entertaining season.

Al.com 2017 SEC East projected order
1. Georgia
2. Florida
3. Kentucky
T-4. Tennessee
T-4. South Carolina
6. Vanderbilt
7. Missouri

Those rankings differ a bit from Athlon Sports’, which were released much earlier this year. Things have changed a bit thus far, however, and it’s a safe bet that new factors will come into play between now and the start of the season.

How do you think things will shake out in 2017? Give us your predictions in the comments below.