Georgia and Florida are the perceived favorites to head to Atlanta from the East this season but according to the analysts of the SEC Network, two lesser established programs are laying in the weeds eager to potentially sneak up the Dawgs and Gators.

Chris Doering and Jordan Rodgers like Kentucky to potentially challenge for the division, while Gene Chizik likes South Carolina’s spoiler potential.

Here’s what they each had to say in a recent SEC Network video segment.

Chris Doering: “I’m high on Kentucky. Kentucky getting to a bowl game last year was quite a feat for them. I think this is a team that could win nine games.”

Jordan Rodgers: “We’ll find out by week three whether that dark horse is going to be Kentucky or South Carolina. Kentucky plays at South Carolina week three. I think that’s going to be a measuring stick for both teams in this league. They (Kentucky) have a chance to win nine or so.”

Gene Chizik: “I’m going with South Carolina. Here’s what I say: quarterbacks and defense. The Albatross around South Carolina’s neck is defense. But you have the right guy in position to fix it, and you have a quarterback with a bunch of returning starters on offense. They have a chance.”