Greg McElroy and Matt Barrie discuss state of the SEC entering 2023 season
We know exactly where Georgia stands entering the 2023 season. At the top of the mountain, times 2, with the Bulldogs’ back-to-back national championships staring every SEC challenger in the face as the offseason hits.
But what about the rest of the story in the conference as we begin the couple months of break time until recruiting and spring football heat back up?
College football analysts Greg McElroy and Matt Barrie broke it down on Friday morning on the “Always College Football” podcast.
The discussion begins at about 17:00:
“LSU, phenomenal year I think,” said McElroy, who pointed to the Tigers’ bad loss to Texas A&M to end the regular season. “I’m not suggesting we give Brian Kelly a lifetime contract, but I think he overachieved.”
After hailing LSU and bypassing Georgia because “we don’t need to say much about them,” McElroy got to the curious case of Alabama, which he quarterbacked to the 2009 national title.
“Bama, slightly disappointing,” he admitted. “But still, you know, a couple close games here and there. They’re a bounce or two in one direction or the other where they can be undefeated and find their way to the playoff.”
Barrie talked about the muddled state of the SEC East, not counting Georgia, of course, and also put Tennessee in the Bulldogs’ class after the Volunteers’ breakout 2022 season.
“It’s Georgia-Tennessee. That’s your baseline,” said Barrie. “Georgia’s in a class of their own. Tier 1 in the East is Georgia and Tennessee. … I’m glad we got Tennessee back. Tennessee is great for college football.”
Barrie believes LSU will be a long-term concern for Alabama.
“If you look at the SEC West, Alabama is the standard,” he said. “But I’m telling you, Brian Kelly is finally at a spot where he doesn’t have restrictions when it comes to who gets to play football at his school. He’s the one guy who can be a problem for Alabama.”
Having UT & LSU get back to an elite level would be great for the SEC so I hope they can build off of last season’s successes. If Auburn and Florida can take a couple steps forward in 2023 then that much better for the conference as well.
Call me crazy, but I think Lea gets Vandy to a bowl game in 2023.
Not saying it WILL happen beginning 2023, but it wouldn’t surprise me if LSU begins taking control of the West from Bama in 2023.
UGA is in the beginning stages of usurping the mantle of dynasty status from Bama, but I wouldn’t anoint them yet. Let’s see what happens this coming season.
No mention of USC? I think Rattler returning is great news for the Cocks. I’d rank them third in the East, of course, but Beamer’s got them going in the right direction.
Georgia is the beast of the East. Tennessee’s 2022 season is good for the SEC East but they are in no way any threat to the Dawgs. Defense/Defense/Defense is a word Georgia understands and the Vols will not ever have a concept of the meaning of that word as long as
Hurry-up-Heup is in Knoxville. The Tide will be fine in 2023 and beyond.
Hm??
Then why are recruiting so heavily on defense in recruiting AND in the transfer portal?
Heupel’s not dumb. He knows having an explosive offense isn’t the only way to have success in the SEC.
Honestly, you need BOTH.
Offense wins games but defense wins Championships. Note: Ask Nick Saban and Kirby Smart that question in order to get a definitive answer.
All Championship teams must have good offense & good defenses. Defensive-minded head coaches win more championships because they prioritize defense.
It’s starting to get real Bama fans! Just lost your defense coordinator to Kiffin. LOL!
Alabama fans aren’t laughing. And they certainly aren’t crying.
They’re probably muttering good riddance.
It’s not like Ole Miss stole Golding. In typical Saban fashion, he was told to seek other opportunities.