We may be getting ahead of ourselves, but SDS began pondering the best- and worst-case scenarios for all 14 SEC teams as we look ahead to the 2015 season:

ALABAMA

Best case: Jacob Coker was able to master the playbook last season while watching Blake Sims lead the Crimson Tide offense, and he’s able to step right in and pick up where Sims left off as a result. Derrick Henry overpowers opposing defenses like Eddie Lacy once did at Alabama, and the defense returns to form, especially with Mel Tucker now leading the secondary.

Worst case: Coker continues to struggle in mastering the playbook and ultimately he can’t get a handle on Lane Kiffin’s offense. Henry is a bruiser but without balance from the passing game his brilliance is limited as well. The defense maintains its standing from last season as a unit able to hold its own but unable to dominate opponents, and the Tide lose as many as three regular season games.

ARKANSAS

Best case: Both of the Hogs returning 1,000-yard rushers are even more dominant this fall, and the balance between the two keep both fresh and explosive for the stretch run of the season. Brandon Allen, who’s already excelled as a game-manager, finds a third option in the passing game beyond Keon Hatcher and Hunter Henry (perhaps Jared Cornelius), and he blossoms as a senior. The defense finds a way to replace departing NFL talent with young, emerging stars, and the Razorbacks take the next step in their progression, winning as many as nine or 10 games.

Worst case: Opposing defenses find an answer for Bret Bielema’s rushing attack, and Allen is exposed in taking on a greater role in the offense. The defense struggles to find an identity without Trey Flowers, Darius Philon and Martrell Spaight, and the Razorbacks finish last in the SEC West once again.

AUBURN

Best case: Jeremy Johnson shows last year’s flashes were no fluke and torches opposing defenses with his arm. He and D’haquille Williams assert themselves as the most dangerous connection in the SEC, and tailbacks Roc Thomas and Jovon Robinson follow in the footsteps of Cameron Artis-Payne and Tre Mason. Will Muschamp complete transforms a defense gaining Byron Cowart and returning Carl Lawson from injury, and the Tigers flirt with an undefeated season.

Worst case: Johnson shows growing pains in his first year as the starter, and Muschamp suffers the same growing pains in trying to put his imprint on the Auburn defense. The Tigers are much like last season — loaded with talent but inconsistent when tested by elite competition. They win at least eight games but are not realistic contenders to win the West.

FLORIDA

Best case: Florida’s rushing attack, led by Kelvin Taylor, Adam Lane and Jordan Scarlett, is enough to mask the lack of a quarterback, and the Gators defense grows from last year thanks to a dominant secondary and the rapid growth of Cece Jefferson. Florida wins eight or nine games and proves McElwain was the right hire, flirting with an East title while taking a major step forward.

Worst case: The Gators lack of a quarterback holds back the entire offense much like last season, and McElwain struggles to work his team through ugly, gritty SEC contests in his first year as a head coach at this level of college football. The defense is good but not as good as when Muschamp was at the helm, and Florida once again falters in a six-win campaign.

GEORGIA

Best case: Nick Chubb continues his domination of the SEC, rushing for at least 1,500 yards in the regular season along with 15 or so touchdowns. Brice Ramsey proves to be as competent a game-manager as Hutson Mason was in 2014, and the Bulldogs experienced front seven dominates opposing offenses at the line of scrimmage. The Dawgs finish off games better than they did last year in losses to Georgia Tech and South Carolina, and win the SEC East crown with ease.

Worst case: Ramsey is overwhelmed upon earning the starting job, which in turn allows defense to sell out in limiting Chubb. The defense is still good, but it wears down as the season progresses due to an underachieving offense. Georgia maintains its tradition of having to suspend players for one reason or another (it seems to have happened every year in the Mark Richt era) and those suspensions ultimately cost Georgia enough playmakers to lead to a mediocre season between the hedges.

KENTUCKY

Best case: Patrick Towles shows growth at the helm of the Air Raid offense, and Boom Williams appears even more explosive out of the backfield. The Cats’ five top 100 wideout signees from the 2014 class begin making plays on the outside, and the defense continues to force turnovers at the same rate it did a year ago. Kentucky finally gets over the hump and reaches a bowl game with six or seven wins, which in turn leads to an even better recruiting class in 2016.

Worst case: Towles looks more like the quarterback we saw during the second half of last season, and his lack of confidence from the pocket holds those wide receiver signees back from taking the next step in their development. The defense lacks a pass rush after losing Bud Dupree and Za’Darius Smith to the NFL, and Kentucky once again waffles at four or five wins, competing with Vanderbilt to avoid a last-place finish in the SEC East.

LSU

Best case: Leonard Fournette and yet another talent-laden Tigers defense carry LSU through some tough games against SEC West foes. Losing John Chavis and replacing him with Kevin Steele doesn’t set the defense back, and although Anthony Jennings may not be a playmaker he’s at least able to find open receivers and avoid turnovers, keeping the offense moving forward on critical drives. The Tigers win at least eight games for a 16th straight year and remain relevant in the SEC West chase.

Worst case: Jennings flops again under center, and the defense takes a step back in its transition from Chavis to Steele. The Tigers lack the edge we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from Les Miles-led teams, and the SEC West simply overwhelms an LSU squad that may be even younger in 2015 than it was in 2014.

MISSISSIPPI STATE

Best case: Dak Prescott proves himself to be the best quarterback in the nation, and his exceptional playmaking abilities light the SEC on fire. Top wideout De’Runnya Wilson takes the next step in his progression as a big, explosive target on the outside and earns all-conference honors as Prescott’s favorite weapon. Ashton Shumpert does what all Dan Mullen backs do and rushes for 1,000-yards, and Manny Diaz finds diamonds in the rough to keep a defense replacing plenty of NFL talent afloat. The Bulldogs build from last year’s Cinderella story and once again contend in the SEC West thanks in large part to Prescott.

Worst case: Prescott is exposed after defenses have a full offseason to study his play, and he regresses as a senior. Wilson and Shumpert are effective but not as dynamic as many had thought due to Prescott’s struggles. The defense is too young and inexperienced to keep pace in the SEC as it learns a new system, and Mississippi State free falls to the bottom of the SEC West standings.

MISSOURI

Best case: Maty Mauk finally grows comfortable in the pocket and is able to engineer a productive offense despite the losses of top wideouts Bud Sasser and Jimmie Hunt. Without having to share time with Marcus Murphy, Russell Hansbrough proves himself to be one of the top backs in the SEC, and once again Mizzou finds new defensive ends on its bench to assert themselves as dominant forces while playing alongside star tackles Harold Brantley and Terry Beckner. Mizzou contends for a third straight division title and we’re finally forced to stop overlooking Gary Pinkel’s bunch.

Worst case: Mauk once again shows a lack of poise in the pocket, and without Sasser and Hunt as well as Murphy out of the backfield he throws too may interceptions for the offense to be productive. The Tigers establish a nice pass rush but the secondary can’t hold its own, and Missouri takes a step back in an SEC East where teams like Tennessee and Georgia took major steps forward.

OLE MISS

Best case: Chad Kelly begins to resemble his Hall of Fame uncle, Jim, and he stays out of legal troubles as the new face of the Ole Miss offense. Laquon Treadwell returns from injury to be the most explosive wideout in the SEC, and Laremy Tunsil once again goes a full season without allowing a sack. Someone, anyone, from the Ole Miss backfield puts together a productive season, and the defense takes a next-man-up approach and remains consistent despite losing loads of talent.

Worst case: Kelly’s past immaturity carries over into his Ole Miss career, and he’s unable to lead the Rebels offense where it needs to go. Treadwell is less explosive after recovering from the broken leg, and the run game remains ineffective, giving Kelly nowhere to hide. The defense isn’t terrible but it’s far from the dominant force it was in 2014, and Ole Miss is unable to capitalize on the final year of the careers of many of its touted 2013 signees.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Best case: Either Connor Mitch or Michael Scarnecchia puts in the work this offseason to assume the starting quarterback job, and he’s at least able to manage an offense with talent at the skill positions. Brandon Wilds and David Williams form a thunder and lightning tandem out of the backfield, and Pharoh Cooper proves himself to be the most versatile and explosive weapon in the conference as a receiver, runner, passer and kick returner. The Gamecocks bevy of touted defensive line signees return that unit to its recent glory, and Carolina begins working its way back to the double-digit win plateau.

Worst case: The Gamecocks can’t find a quarterback, opponents sell out to stop the run and Cooper alone can’t do enough to keep the Carolina offense moving forward. The defense shows growing pains due to its youth and the Gamecocks once again flirt with just six or seven wins during the regular season.

TENNESSEE

Best case: Joshua Dobbs picks up where he left off at the end of 2014 and by December is named an all-conference performer due to his strong arm and explosive running abilities. Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara split time and match one another’s explosiveness, keeping each other fresh throughout the season. The Vols large collection of touted signees on both signs of the line of scrimmage get up to speed quickly, and the Vols return to their past glory with a 10-win season and an SEC East crown.

Worst case: Dobbs is exposed in his first full season as the starter, he lacks explosive playmakers on the outside, and those offensive and defensive line recruits suffer growing pains in their rookie seasons. Tennessee remains bowl eligible, but it must wait another year to take the next step on the path back to the top of the SEC East.

TEXAS A&M

Best case: With a more seasoned Kyle Allen at the helm, the Aggies passing attack remains the most explosive in the conference, perhaps in the entire country, especially upon the return of Josh Reynolds, the arrival of five-star signee Christian Kirk and the development of rising sophomores Speedy Noil and Ricky Seals-Jones. The defense shows improvement under Chavis that matches the offense’s production, and A&M begins to look like an annual threat in the SEC.

Worst case: Allen needs more time to round into form, and the depth of the Aggies receiver corps. doesn’t translate into anything more than bubble screens and completions on underneath routes. The A&M defense still struggles to tackle in the open field and the Aggies win seven or eight games to follow up a pedestrian 2014 season.

VANDERBILT

Best case: The Commodores discover Johnny McCrary or Patton Robinette is their quarterback of the future, and he’s able to maximize the play of tailback Ralph Webb, wideout C.J. Duncan and tight end Steven Scheu. Derek Mason’s leadership on the defensive side of the ball pays off, and Vandy is able to win a conference game and take steps toward returning to bowl eligibility.

Worst case: The Dores offense struggle to learn new coordinator Andy Ludwig’s system, and Mason’s defense is worn down trying to compensate in a number of low-scoring games. Vandy is once again shutout in its SEC schedule and Mason’s seat gets red hot by season’s end, putting the pressure on his team to produce in 2016.