It’s easier said than done.

Following in Tennessee’s footsteps is something that a bevy of SEC programs would love to do in 2023. Putting together the best season the program has had in decades and winning 11 games is the dream for everyone outside of Georgia, Alabama and maybe LSU.

Shoot, who are we kidding. Even LSU fans would walk away feeling satisfied with an 11-win season.

But reality is, only so many teams can get there. If we’re being honest, nearly every team has limiting factors. Once upon a time, Georgia’s limiting factor was Kirby Smart’s in-game decision-making. Limiting factors can change.

MSU has had 1 winning season in SEC play in the 21st century. I can like Zach Arnett and have hopeful expectations for Will Rogers in Kevin Barbay’s offense, but with all of those moving pieces, it’s not realistic to say that MSU is about to follow in Tennessee’s footsteps.

Ideally, you’re betting on talent and coaching. That sounds basic, but in the SEC, good luck winning 10-11 games without those things.

So, let’s dig into the 3 teams that might be best suited to do what Tennessee did. That is, surpass expectations, reach a New Year’s 6 bowl and hit double-digit wins.

South Carolina

Let’s start with the team that spoiled Tennessee’s Playoff chances. The Gamecocks beat 2 teams that won 11 games apiece last season, and they did so when all they were playing for was a trip to a Florida bowl game. The fact that the Clemson win happened on the road in Death Valley where the Tigers hadn’t lost in 6 years suggests that South Carolina can play with any non 1% team in the sport (Georgia and Alabama).

Returning Spencer Rattler and Juice Wells was monumental, especially after the Gamecocks lost Jaheim Bell and MarShawn Lloyd to the transfer portal. As much as we can talk about Rattler’s fit with new offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains and how pivotal that is, the Gamecocks’ upside will be determined by how much they improve in the trenches.

Last year, South Carolina ranked No. 117 against the run and it ranked No. 106 in rushing yards per game. The Gamecocks have been somewhat quiet in the portal with adding pieces on both the offensive and defensive line. Outside of adding edge rusher Jaron Willis from Ole Miss, there haven’t been any other additions from the FBS level to help up front. Maybe that’ll change in the post-spring window.

But the good news is that you always trust South Carolina’s special teams and despite all the frustration of that slow offensive start, Beamer’s squad was a bowl game defensive stand from hitting 9 wins. Yes, the schedule features 5 teams that won at least 9 games last year. That’s going to keep the regular-season win total projections lower, as is the fact that South Carolina is No. 102 in percentage of returning production.

Still, though. After what we saw down the stretch, it’s hard not to be bullish on Beamer’s squad taking another step.

Kentucky

I know, I know. If the offensive line doesn’t improve, forget about it. The Big Blue Gate that was the Cats’ offensive line swung open at a rate that limited the offensive upside. We know that. We also know that Rich Scangarello’s play-calling was a constant source of frustration, and some believed it also played a significant role in Will Levis’ Year 2 regression (injuries and poor decision-making were also at fault).

But there’s reason to believe that this will be a much more 2021-like offense. Part of that is because Liam Coen returned after spending 1 year with the Los Angeles Rams, where he also had the unfortunate task of dealing with a leaky offensive line. In 2021, he led UK to its best offense in 14 years.

This year, instead of working with a first-time starter like Levis was in 2021, Coen will be working with former preseason ACC Player of the Year Devin Leary, who turns 24 in September. As long as Leary is healthy coming off his atypical pectoral surgery, there’s a ton to like with Kentucky returning its top 3 receivers, as well as the quiet addition of 1,000-yard rusher Ray Davis. Leary could easily start and finish the 2023 season as an All-SEC quarterback, which Kentucky hasn’t had since 2007 (Lynn Bowden played QB in the latter half of his All-SEC season in 2019 but his selection was in the “all-purpose” slot).

So will the offensive line get better? Leary said that group, which already added Alabama transfer Tanner Bowles and Northern Illinois transfer Marques Cox (who is getting rave reviews at left tackle) is 10 times better than what he saw on film last year. With how much that area is being emphasized from a talent and development standpoint, I can’t imagine it being the weakness that it was in 2022, especially with what we typically expect from Mark Stoops-coached teams.

And while there are a bunch of key pieces to replace defensively, it’s hard to say that’ll limit the Cats’ upside when Stoops led a top-30 unit in 4 out of the last 5 years. More limiting is the schedule, which features road games at both Alabama and Georgia. The good news is that the nonconference schedule is extremely favorable, and Tennessee and Florida both come to Lexington this year.

Also, if we’re talking about getting to 10 wins, Kentucky is 1 of 5 SEC teams that hit double-digit wins multiple times in the past 5 years. It’s not crazy to think a bounce-back year is in store.

Texas A&M

Hear me out. Last year, I banged the drum all offseason that A&M was the most overrated team in America heading into 2022, but in no world did I think 5-7 was on the horizon.

So why should this year be any different? And why would we ever believe that A&M can have November relevance again?

For what it’s worth, I don’t believe A&M deserves to start in the AP Top 25. Going 5-7 should be an automatic disqualification. But we’re talking about a team that, despite some of those transfer portal losses, is No. 1 in the SEC and No. 7 nationally in percentage of returning production. The majority of that offensive line is set to return to block for Conner Weigman, who showed major potential down the stretch, including the upset win against LSU. The Aggies also have their top 3 pass-catchers back, which should help the young signal-caller.

Obviously, so much of this comes down to the Bobby Petrino-Jimbo Fisher relationship. Can they coexist in the most efficient way possible? Or will Fisher’s inability to relinquish control of the offense hold A&M back for a third consecutive season? Petrino’s play-calling and ability to develop quarterbacks, at its best, could turn A&M around instantly. Fisher addressed the biggest weakness his team had the past 2 years. Him.

Let’s not forget that despite consecutive disastrous seasons with injuries and poor decision-making, A&M showed it can play with anyone in the West, including an Alabama team that the Aggies nearly beat in consecutive years if not for a horrendous goal-line play call. As daunting as that schedule is — road trips to Tennessee and LSU won’t be fun — there’s still a world in which A&M, with top-5 roster talent and a revamped offensive philosophy, can post a 9- or 10-win regular season.

Of course, there’s also a world in which 5-7 happens again and the Fisher-Petrino relationship turns into a reality TV show.

Either way, stay tuned.