2018 SEC early conference primer: Biggest games, Heisman hopefuls and one big prediction

For the second time in seven years, the Southeastern Conference boasted both teams in the national championship as Alabama pulled off a thrilling 26-23 overtime win against Georgia in the College Football Playoff title game.

That will be the biggest storyline this offseason for a conference that saw five teams make January bowls. Still, the SEC suffered the most coaching turnover of any Power 5 conference, with five coaches taking over and another losing his interim tag.

MORE: 18 early questions for 2018 season

The 2018 season promises to be an interesting one in the SEC. Sporting News takes an early look at what that might look like:

Way-too-early ranked teams

No. 25 Texas A&M
No. 23 South Carolina
No. 13 LSU
No. 8 Auburn
No. 3 Georgia
No. 1 Alabama

Top storyline

Can anyone stop Alabama, which claimed another title? The Tide looked mighty mortal in their latest title campaign, needing help just to make the Playoff. Alabama must also replace both coordinators and several early entrants to the NFL Draft. Meanwhile, Kirby Smart is recruiting like crazy at Georgia, Jarrett Stidham returns to lead Auburn and Jimbo Fisher adds a twist at A&M. What's that they say about rising Tides?

2018 LOOKAHEAD: ACC | B10 | B12 | P12

Impact freshman

Florida’s quarterback struggles of the Jim McElwain era are well documented, making the arrival of Emory Jones that much bigger in Gainesville. Jones, who is already on campus as an early enrollee, was the No. 41 overall recruit in the Class of 2018 and the No. 4 dual-threat quarterback. He will compete with redshirt-sophomores Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask for the starting job, but don’t expect any favoritism from Dan Mullen, who could very well let the freshman play his way into a starting role.

New SEC coaches

Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M. Fisher’s a proven winner, as evidenced by his track record and national title at Florida State, but it may take a couple seasons before A&M truly competes with Alabama for supremacy in the West. With his arrival, half of college football's national title-winning coaches now reside in the SEC West.

Dan Mullen, Florida. Mullen is a near-perfect hire for Florida. His coaching prowess is evident in a 69-46 record at Mississippi State, and the fact he served as the Gators’ offensive coordinator and QB coach during title seasons in 2006 and ‘08 helps get his feet under him in Gainesville.

Jeremy Pruitt, Tennessee. Tennessee finally landed Pruitt after a terribly botched coaching search. He'll be tasked with revitalizing the Vols, and his on-field coaching ability and recruiting expertise will make themselves apparent in due time. Tennessee fans, meanwhile, will have to be patient.

Chad Morris, Arkansas. Morris’ offense offers a refreshing change of pace from Bret Bielema’s power run game. His 2017 offense at SMU ranked in the top 20 nationally in yards per game (478, ranking 15th), passing yards per game (294, ranking 19th) and points per game (37.8, ranking 12th).

Joe Moorhead, Mississippi State. The architect of Penn State’s highflying offense takes over a Mississippi State team led by senior quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, easily the SEC’s most experienced and dangerous dual-threat quarterback. Keep your eyes on the Bulldogs in 2018.

Matt Luke, Ole Miss. Luke faces another bowl ban, reduced scholarships and an ongoing probationary period in his first official year as head coach. It doesn’t help that five players, including quarterback Shea Patterson, have transferred. Still, Luke reeled in the 36th-ranked recruiting class in the country and beat No. 16 Mississippi State to end 2017. That’s as good a starting point as fans can ask for.

MORE: Ranking the 2017-18 new FBS coaches

SEC Heisman hopefuls

Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia. Fromm is now the go-to playmaker with Sony Michel and Nick Chubb gone. Can he build off a phenomenal freshman season in which he threw for 2,615 yards and 24 touchdowns to seven interceptions?

Jarrett Stidham, QB, Auburn. Stidham grew into his role as the Tigers' leader in 2017, culminating with a masterful performance against Alabama in the Iron Bowl. He should have better stats than what he put up in 2017: 3,158 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama. Assuming he starts, Tagovailoa will receive plenty of Heisman buzz if he puts on more performances like the one in the CFP championship: 14 of 24 passing and three touchdowns to one interception.

Best nonconference games

LSU vs. Miami, Sept. 1 (Arlington). This game has massive implications for LSU, which will want a sign it’s heading in the right direction under Ed Orgeron. Losing a consecutive marquee game won't look good for the Tigers or their coach.

Alabama vs. Louisville, Sept. 1 (Orlando). The defending champs take on Louisville, offensive guru Bobby Petrino and quarterback Jawon Pass, who had two seasons to learn under Heisman winner Lamar Jackson.

Auburn vs. Washington, Sept. 1 (Atlanta). Auburn will desperately want a big win — against what will likely be the highest-ranked Pac-12 team — after losing to UCF in the Peach Bowl.

Tennessee vs. West Virginia, Sept. 1 (Charlotte). Pruitt’s tenure starts off with a bang against West Virginia and rocket-armed quarterback Will Grier.

Texas A&M vs. Clemson, Sept. 8. Fisher just can’t seem to shake Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, can he?

MORE: Best September games

Team to watch

Texas A&M. We could just as easily say Tennessee or Florida, but it’s not every day a national title-winning coach leaves for another school in his prime. Fisher will easily be the biggest storyline of 2018, and it will be worth watching to see if he can clear that 8-5 hurdle that vexed Kevin Sumlin over the last four seasons. Of particular interest is that three-week stretch from Sept. 8-22 in which A&M takes on Clemson and travels to Alabama.

Bold early prediction

Alabama-Georgia II will decide the SEC championship, and the SEC championship will serve as a play-in to the Playoff. Auburn has to replace too much talent, and doesn't have the depth to replace it all. That, coupled with the fact the Tigers play at Alabama and Georgia, makes the Tide and Bulldogs favorites in their respective divisions. 

MORE: SN's way-too-early top 25

Three-year trends: Overall record

(* rankings use conference records as tiebreaker)

Three-year trends: SEC record

(* rankings use head-to-head record as tiebreaker)
(LSU has better record than Georgia vs. common opponents)