We can all get better.

I can, you can, people who didn’t read this column can. We can all improve in 2023.

Personally, I’m going to fully embrace becoming a first-time father. My New Year’s resolution is to focus on thinking more like a dad. That means being more proactive, become better at troubleshooting, always admit that my wife is right and maybe pick up a pair of New Balances.

My resolution isn’t uncommon, but it’s specific to me.

These resolutions are specific to each SEC team for 2023:

Alabama — Don’t worry about being No. 1 (in the preseason)

So here’s something. Alabama has never won the SEC West and a national title after starting as the preseason No. 1 team in America. The 2017 Alabama team is the only squad in America in the past 18 years to start off as a preseason AP No. 1 and win a national title, but that team of course didn’t even win its own division. Five of Nick Saban’s 6 national titles at Alabama came when his team didn’t start at No. 1. Hence, preseason No. 1 is overrated.

Arkansas — Never forget that it can always be worse

See “Morris, Chad.”

Auburn — Put your phone away after 8 p.m.

Take that however you want. Personally, I meant it for Hugh Freeze and his habit of sending unsolicited late-night DMs to a former student with an ongoing Title IX lawsuit against the university he coached at. Avoid that in 2023.

Florida — Embrace patience

Yes, there’s some patience needed for Billy Napier, though I agree that there should be frustration over his play-calling in Year 1. There’s also patience needed to not rush the development of true freshman Jaden Rashada. The Gators hired Napier not in hopes of turning things around overnight, but rather in hopes of beefing up the support staff, getting more talent in the doors and annually competing with Georgia. There could still be a long way to go at this time next year.

Georgia — Be present

Andy Bernard once said, “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you left them.” These are those days, Georgia fans.

Kentucky — Don’t wish time away

I do it all the time. “I can’t wait until (fill in event I’m excited about).” With Kentucky fans, they shouldn’t wish the calendar would turn to September. I know it’s tempting with how bad John Calipari’s program looks, but September is a long way away. Maybe just take up a winter hobby instead of watching basketball. I hear scrapbooking can be a fun indoor activity.

LSU — Let people make their jokes

Every time Brian Kelly loses, the gloves come off. He’s an easy guy to make fun of. He’s also one of the winningest coaches of the 21st century and he just led LSU to an SEC West title in Year 1, so any jokes about his corny ways should probably just roll off LSU’s back.

Mizzou — Be more conservative with your money

I understood the Eli Drinkwitz extension if the buyout stayed the same. But it didn’t. Drinkwitz is now making $6 million annually with $250,000 annual raises through 2027, and he gets 75% of his remaining contract if fired without cause. In other words, he’d be owed nearly $20 million if he’s fired next year and he’d still be owed $15 million if he’s fired at the end of 2024. That’s a ton of money to commit to someone without a winning season through Year 3. Mizzou should avoid spending so recklessly in the new year.

MSU — Process your grief

Some real talk for a minute. Grief is real, and it comes in waves. For so many of those MSU players and coaches, Mike Leach was their guy. He recruited them, he coached them up and he was such a prominent fixture in their lives. MSU should embrace that. And if embracing that is by making the pirate a new alternative mascot with creative new helmet and jersey concepts, so be it.

Ole Miss — Don’t bet on every game

Did I say “every game?” Oops. I meant “don’t bet on every 4th down.”

South Carolina — Find some joy

Come on. That one was too easy.

Tennessee — Be nice on Twitter

Hey, a guy can dream, right? This one easily tops the list of “resolutions that’ll be dead 1 week into the new year.”

Texas A&M — Stop fixating on grudges

You cannot tell me that Jimbo Fisher doesn’t put significantly more emphasis on beating Alabama, which is fine if you’re 11-1 … not 5-7. The last 2 years are proof of that, and not just because he delivered the clap back of all clap backs at Nick Saban over the summer. The creative play-calling for Alabama games and the stagnant calls for others suggests that Jimbo Fisher has an Alabama problem. That’s unhealthy.

Vanderbilt — Start a new hobby. Specifically, use the transfer portal

I know, I know. It’s difficult to get guys who pass Vandy’s high academic standards. But you cannot tell me that selling a graduate degree from Vandy will fall on deaf ears for 100% of portal entries. Clark Lea needs to embrace the portal more than he ever has if he hopes to actually build on the late success of 2022.