The SEC has been the best conference in college football for years now. Entering 2024, that might not change as Texas and Oklahoma make their way into the mix.

The top four teams in the SEC are considered National title contenders this year. It begins with Georgia, who will be ranked No. 1 in the nation coming into the year. Carson Beck returns to lead a load Bulldogs’ team once again. Kirby Smart landed Trevor Etienne in the transfer portal to bolster an offense. On the other side, Georgia will continue to have one of the best defenses in the nation.

Texas is also in the mix in its first season in the conference. The Longhorns made a run to the four-team CFB Playoff last season and return Quinn Ewers. Once he announced his return, hopes became high in Austin believing this team can make a run to the final. Kalen DeBoer goes from Washington to Alabama to replace Nick Saban. Jalen Milroe is back under center for the Crimson Tide after leading them to one play from a National Championship Game appearance.

Ole Miss has a chance to be one of the best teams in the entire country. Lane Kiffin returns Jaxson Dart and has a group of receivers that can compete with any in the nation.

2024 SEC Football Preview

SEC Championship Game Prediction: Georgia def. Texas

SEC CFB Playoff Teams: Georgia, Ole Miss, Alabama, Texas

SEC Offensive Player of the Year: QB Carson Beck, Georgia

SEC Defensive Player of the Year: DE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

SEC Coach of the Year: Kirby Smart, Georgia

Conference Notes

The future is now for Tennessee under center. This is not necessarily a surprise but Nico Iamaleava is poised to be one of the breakout stars in the nation. The former five-star quarterback threw 45 passes last season and carried the ball 20 times. He will enter as a redshirt freshman ready to make his mark. At 6-foot-6, the big-armed quarterback is one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy as well. Is Tennessee fully back this season?

How good can Missouri be in 2024? The Tigers have one of its best teams in over a decade here. Missouri is on the heels of a year where it scored 32.5 points and gathered 434 yards per game. Defensively, the Tigers got after the quarterback in a big way. This is a team that returns plenty of production on both sides of the ball. Can Missouri win the SEC? Can it make the playoff? Those are the questions we need to answer.

Oklahoma enters post-Dillon Gabriel era. The Sooners will enter the SEC in 2024 and will do so with a new quarterback. Gabriel is now in Oregon and Jackson Arnold enters as a highly-touted prospect. The sophomore has a chance to become an elite passer in the conference but Oklahoma needs him to be ready to go right away.

Is LSU being forgotten in an expanded conference? Brian Kelly came to Baton Rouge and posted two straight 10-win seasons. That makes the fans down in Louisiana want even more. The Tigers currently have the fifth-best odds to win the SEC this season. LSU will take on Alabama and Ole Miss this season but avoid other powers in the conference. An opening night game against USC is slated to be one of the best of Week 1 in Baton Rouge. How far can this version of the Tigers go this season?

2024 SEC Football Standings Prediction

1. Georgia
2. Texas
3. Alabama
4. Ole Miss
5. Missouri
6. Tennessee
7. LSU
8. Auburn
9. Oklahoma
10. Texas A&M
11. Kentucky
12. Florida
13. South Carolina
14. Arkansas
15. Mississippi State
16. Vanderbilt