Dan Mullen reveals 2023 SEC West predictions

Former Florida and Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen, currently an ESPN analyst, has weighed in with his predictions for both divisions in the SEC. His SEC West prediction has a familiar face on top: Alabama.

Mullen predicted the Crimson Tide will win the division over last year’s SEC West champion LSU, tweeting his full picks in the division before deleting them.

It’s an interesting pick, if for no other reason than because the Crimson Tide still have to replace starting quarterback Bryce Young and are one of the few teams around the country yet to name a starting quarterback in fall camp.

Of course, Alabama tends to be loaded with talent elsewhere, so whether it’s Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson or Tyler Buchner that wins the starting job, there will be plenty of weapons to work with.

In any case, Mullen had LSU finishing as the runners-up.

LSU stunned a lot of people last year by winning the division — and 10 games — in Brian Kelly’s first season in charge of the program. With quarterback Jayden Daniels back on offense and defensive superstar Harold Perkins also back for his sophomore year, LSU has the kind of star power needed to make a deep run.

You can view Mullen’s complete SEC West predictions below:

DAN MULLEN 2023 SEC WEST PREDICTIONS

1. Alabama
2. LSU
3. Arkansas
4. Ole Miss
5. Texas A&M
6. Mississippi State
7. Auburn

While many are predicting a big bounce-back year for Texas A&M, courtesy of returning a ton of talent on offense including quarterback Conner Weigman, Mullen doesn’t really see that happening based on his SEC West predictions.

He has the Aggies finishing in fifth in the division, behind Arkansas and Ole Miss.

Arkansas and Ole Miss both return their starting quarterbacks, with the likes of KJ Jefferson and Jaxson Dart set to pilot their respective squads this fall. Both also have a monster backfield to turn to.

Arkansas is led by star running back Raheim Sanders, while Ole Miss’ Quinshon Judkins was a revelation last season as a true freshman.

Rounding out the bottom of the SEC West predictions for Mullen are Mississippi State in sixth and Auburn in seventh place.