Even if they do, the schedule doesn't do them any favors. Even with a strong rushing attack, it's hard to imagine them taking a massive step forward. On the other side of the ball, the Gators defense was far from stout a year ago. The shaky quarterback situation is more concerning, however, as Graham Mertz and Jack Miller III battle it out to be the starter. The season is bookended with a trip to Utah and and a finale against rival Florida State - two teams that have a chance to contend for a College Football Playoff berth. There's not a lot of faith among the Gators fanbase going into Billy Napier's second year. Losses: at Utah, Tennessee, at South Carolina, Georgia, at LSU, Florida State.Wins: McNeese State, Charlotte, at Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, at Missouri.The Tigers are capable of springing some upsets, but also susceptible to a few slip-ups. Freeze should be able to orchestrate a two-game improvement from last season and hit the Las Vegas win total. A nonconference game at California is manageable, and the Tigers drew Vanderbilt as their rotating cross-division road game. Games against Georgia and Alabama are at home (as is the case on odd-numbered years), but upsets in either of those is highly unlikely. Hugh Freeze has his work cut out for him considering the state of the roster Bryan Harsin left behind. Losses: at Texas A&M, Georgia, at LSU, at Arkansas, Alabama.Wins: UMass, at California, Samford, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, at Vanderbilt, New Mexico State.Luckily for the Hogs, the home schedule is relatively easy, and they should top Texas A&M in a neutral-site game. Don't get me wrong, I love coach Sam Pittman and quarterback KJ Jefferson is a dark-horse contender for the Heisman Trophy, but going to Death Valley, Oxford, Tuscaloosa and Gainsville in the same season is just mean. Loss: at LSU, at Ole Miss, at Alabama, at FloridaĪrkansas fans love to say the SEC schedule-makers hate the Razorbacks, and it's hard to argue based on the road schedule they have in 2023.Wins: Western Carolina, Kent State, BYU, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Auburn, FIU, Missouri.I'm going to go under, but would never place a bet against Saban with my actual money. If the Tide top Texas or LSU, they'll go over. The saving grace for coach Nick Saban is that the road schedule is a piece of cake save for the always-wild trip to Jordan-Hare Stadium for the Iron Bowl. LSU is going to be tough as well considering the stability on the roster after last season's run to the division title. That's a big problem considering they'll host Texas and star Quinn Ewers - who torched the Tide in last season's matchup before leaving the game with injury - in Week 2. The Crimson Tide have a ton of questions (by Alabama standards) heading into the season, starting at quarterback where they picked up former Notre Dame signal-caller Tyler Buchner to compete with Ty Simpson and Jalen Milroe. Wins: Middle Tennessee, at South Florida, Ole Miss, at Mississippi State, at Texas A&M, Arkansas, Tennessee, at Kentucky, Chattanooga, at Auburn.
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