Phil Steele predicts final rankings in 2023 SEC forecast

College football analyst Phil Steele predicted the final rankings in 2023 for the SEC and there aren’t too many surprises at the top. But, there could be some interesting division races ahead of the conference title game.

Two-time defending national champion Georgia is the favorite, but don’t forget about powers like Alabama, LSU and Tennessee.

Below are the projections in the SEC from Steele and where each team will end up in each division this season.

WEST

1. Alabama

Alabama returns to the top of the mountain, at least in the west division. The Crimson Tide still have a quarterback competition to figure out though.

But nonetheless, last year’s miss of a division title and CFP appearance probably stings. Alabama doesn’t want LSU to win this thing two years in a row do they?

2. LSU

LSU is a bonafide College Football Playoff contender this year. Brian Kelly was able to rebuild this thing fast once he came over from Notre Dame.

Jayden Daniels and Harold Perkins are the two stars on the opposite side of the ball. With leaders like that, LSU could certainly upend the Crimson Tide again.

3. Texas A&M

It always feels like Texas A&M can finally break through but then the Aggies don’t. Maybe 2023 is the year?

Conner Weigman at quarterback is a good sign. Jimbo Fisher has one of the more talented signal callers he’s had in his career. Still, it’s a rough division.

4. Ole Miss

Ole Miss is a high quality football team but only projected fourth in its division. That means this team could win roughly nine games, be ranked and be the middle of the pack in the West. Yikes.

Quinshon Judkins is the offensive star and should help probable starting quarterback Jaxson Dart. Heck, the Rebels might have a Heisman contender right in their own backfield.

5. Arkansas

Arkansas is another intriguing team that could be really good anywhere else. But in the SEC West, the Razorbacks are only good enough for fifth in the division, per Steele.

KJ Jefferson and Raheim Sanders are a great one-two punch in the backfield at quarterback and running back. But can Arkansas really surprise people this season? To-be-determined.

6. Auburn

Auburn starts Year 1 of the Hugh Freeze era after a disastrous two seasons with Bryan Harsin, by Tigers’ standards.

Cadillac Williams remained on staff, which might have been the biggest retention anywhere. He’s really a player’s coach. It’ll be interesting to see if Freeze can make do on his second chance in the conference.

7. Mississippi State

Zach Arnett took over the program due to the unfortunate passing of head coach Mike Leach. It’s a bit of a rebuilding job for the Bulldogs as well.

However, Mississippi State should be a competitive team this season. It just remains to be seen if the Bulldogs can get out of the division basement. 

EAST

1. Georgia

The two-time defending champions are the favorites once again. It’d be pretty silly to pick against the Bulldogs winning the division once again and playing for a conference title.

Sure, Georgia could get upset by one of the next couple of teams in the rankings. But, as Steele ranked them, we’re counting on the Bulldogs to be top dog again.

2. Tennessee

Tennessee has a new quarterback in Joe Milton and plenty of talent. But certainly, the Volunteers have big expectations to be the team to finally knock off Georgia in the SEC.

Josh Heupel can push all the right buttons and it still might be enough to beat Georgia. However, the Volunteers seemingly have the best shot.

3. South Carolina

The Gamecocks continually rose up the SEC ranks under Shane Beamer over the last couple of years. With some recruiting wins as well, South Carolina looks legit.

Spencer Rattler is in his final season of college football but this could be the best version of the quarterback. Will it be enough to pull off some stunners this year?

4. Kentucky

Kentucky is a solid program year in and year out. Mark Stoops knows what he’s doing but will it translate to a division title?

It’s a tough hill to climb with the three teams mentioned above. But maybe the Wildcats can make people forget it’s a basketball school for a couple of months and do some damage against the SEC powers.

5. Florida

Florida is looking better and better this offseason with Billy Napier getting some solid wins on the recruiting trail. The quarterback situation is also settled at this point with Graham Mertz being named the starter.

But six wins is not acceptable in Year 2. Year 1? Maybe. But the Gator fanbase wants SEC titles and College Football Playoff appearances. You know, relive the recent glory days.

6. Missouri

Missouri is quietly building something with some solid recruiting wins. Eli Drinkwitz just needs to translate that to more wins on the field.

Bowl games are fine, but Drinkwitz has a chance to take Mizzou on an upward trend. But finishing sixth in the division won’t exactly cut it.

7. Vanderbilt

Clark Lea has an upward battle at Vanderbilt, which was easily a bottom rung team in the SEC. But the Commodores were respectable last season.

Now, that could translate to more success on the field this coming season. Lea instills a lot of toughness into his groups, given his defensive background.

Is this exactly how the SEC will end up in 2023? Maybe, Steele has some good intel. But that’s why they play the game and we could certainly see some surprises in the SEC.