ESPN's Matt Barrie breaks down his SEC pecking order behind Georgia
ESPN’s Matt Barrie firmly believes Georgia is the clear-cut No. 1 team for the 2024 season. However, the pecking order behind the Bulldogs could be a battle.
During the latest episode of Greg McElroy’s “Always College Football,” Barrie was asked about which teams are No. 2 and No. 3 in the SEC behind Kirby Smart’s program. Barrie started by reminding everyone the discussion now includes Texas and Oklahoma, and one of those teams has the pieces to regularly be in the conversation.
“I believe (Steve Sarkisian) has Texas in a spot to compete year in and year out — he’s got it there now,” said Barrie. “When he took over, he had to recruit, he had to purge, he had to bring in some guys, and now he has it, okay? So I believe Texas is going to be Texas year in and year out.”
Other teams Barrie considered for that group are LSU and Ole Miss. He cited Lane Kiffin looking for his breakthrough moment on the heels of some major movement in the portal and LSU’s constant talent level.
“Georgia’s the runaway No. 1. I would put Texas No. 2… Then I think it’s a battle with LSU getting in there and Ole Miss getting in there if you’re looking at the pecking order in the SEC,” Barrie explained.
Here’s the episode with the SEC discussion beginning around the 22:25 mark:
Outlook for 2024
Oddsmakers agree with Barrie’s initial assessment with Georgia (+190) the favorite to win the SEC at DraftKings and Texas following behind at +320. Ole Miss is third at +700 and Alabama, even under new head coach Kalen DeBoer, rounds out the top 4 at +850.
Setting that pecking order in the SEC also holds bigger than normal ramifications for the outlook for the 12-team College Football Playoff. The SEC champion will be a lock to make the field, but how many teams the conference gets in after that will be something to monitor.
By all measures, the No. 2 team in the SEC — whoever that winds up being — should be a lock for the CFP. And, in any normal season, the No. 3 team in the conference is likely to get in.
Even if Georgia runs through the SEC this fall, there will be plenty of intrigue with teams jockeying for a potential spot in the Playoff.
“Oddsmakers” should replace Alabama with LSU, and they would be fine.
I think Barrie will end up being correct in his picks.
Still not sure about Texas, but we’ll see how it goes.
Sankey bowed down to the powers of Horns Down, and gave them favorability for 2 years.
After that, beginning in 2026, it could be all downhill for Texas from there.
Don’t sleep on UT. @UGA and @OK will be the two toughest games on the schedule. Like our chances against Bama at Neyland.
TN’s schedule is very favorable this year. Got Bama and Florida at home so that’s helpful and both of those teams have potential losses on their record at that point in the season. Biggest issue I have with those two games is them being back to back.
UGA is the top preseason team. Just about everyone agrees with that. I would have Texas second because of their talent and easy conference schedule. Missouri is another conference contender with a favorable schedule. Gotta include them in any conversation. LSU, Alabama, Ole Miss, and Tennessee have all been mentioned as possible playoff teams. OU seems to have talent but a tough schedule. I’m not much for predictions, but this should be a heck of a season for the SEC. I suspect that we get four teams in, and maybe even five.
I think 4 SEC, 3 Big Ten, 2-3 ACC, 1-2 Big 12, G5 team.
More pre season hype for Kiffin. When will it end?
When his winning trajectory is no longer what it is now and has been since he has been at Ole Miss!