4 Oklahoma – The Sooners have the elements for a tittle run this year. Even though QB Landry Jones is the team leader, DC Mike Stoops may be most valuable having to rebuild a defense that lost some top players from last year’s anemic defense. WR Kenny Stills and an OL that is one of the best in the country led by C Ben Habern and OG Gabe Ikard will give Oklahoma a lethal offense. The defense has a long way to go and that is why HC Bob Stoops turned to his brother for help. They do have some pieces to build around in LB Tom Wort and DB Tony Jefferson. The Sooners will welcome Notre Dame and Oklahoma State to Norman but they will travel to Morgantown, WV and engage TCU in Forth Worth.
5 Oregon – Outstanding running backs Kenjon Barner and De’Anthony Thomas will make trouble for the Ducks’ opponents. Last year Oregon opened the season with a loss to LSU. This year they open the season with Arkansas State. Last year the Ducks were flying high with a 9 game winning streak when USC clipped their wings. This year they will probably play USC twice. There is a question mark at QB, but HC Chip Kelly usually solves such problems. OL Carson York gives stability to an OL that will help make the UO option offense put up big numbers. With punter Jackson Rice and a good return game, Special Teams will do well. A very good DL will flourish more with the addition of DE Arik Armstead (6’8″ 297).
6 Georgia – With QB Aaron Murray receiving rave reviews and a linebacker corps rated the best in the SEC, a lot is expected of the Bulldogs this year. HC Mark Richt’s teams usually have more bark than bite. Can this team with defensive players like DT John Jenkins, LB Jarvis Jones, LB Alec Ogletree, DE Arby Jones and DB Bacarri Rambo restore the gnaw to the Dawgs? Top recruit OL John Theus will bring more talent and depth to the OL. Will there be celebration in Athens on December 1 (day of SEC Championship Game)? The way Georgia played last year against the MSU Bulldogs says yes, but the way they played against MSU Spartans says no.
