The SEC Preseason Media Poll picked Georgia (165), Texas (27), Alabama (12), Ole Miss (4), Vanderbilt (2), LSU (2), South Carolina (1) to win the SEC Championship.
Overall, the order to finish in the SEC was Georgia (3330), Texas (3041), Alabama (2891), Ole Miss (2783).
When first seeing the results of the poll, it was reminiscent of two years ago when Alabama came to Texas and was supposed to beat them by 14+ points with ease.
That did not happen and it stunned even the most “in the know” analysts and pundits. Yes, Alabama did win by one point after a 33-yard field goal on fourth and seven with 0:10 left on the clock. That’s how close it was.
That game got everyone’s attention and brought Texas right back into the national spotlight as a once-again football powerhouse.
Think of Georgia in the same way. Georgia travels to DKR on Oct. 19 for the biggest game in college football. We predict it will be scheduled as a night game. It will be a battle royale with Texas winning by nine points.
Why nine points? Like everyone else, we are guessing, however there is one thing we do know. Sarkisian will be looking to make a statement with a clear win against a highly successful well-run Georgia team.
Everyone recognized Texas as a serious contender in their first season in the SEC. Nick Saban knows. Lane Kiffin knows, the media knows and so do fans.
Saban, now “in the media,” said emphatically during media days that Texas was not going to run over the SEC, then later said it was likely Texas would play Georgia for the National Championship.
We asked Lane Kiffin during his media days speech if Texas has a legitimate chance to go high in the conference from a coaches perspective? Kiffin said, “Texas has an elite roster.”
From SEC stats perspective, only nine times since 1992 (32 years) has the predicted champion prior to the season at SEC Media Days proceeded to win the SEC Championship Game.
Here’s the reality. Nobody has a lock on the SEC Championship. Yes, Georgia is and should be the team to beat, they have earned that. Texas will treat Georgia like they did Alabama.
Our prediction will be Texas beats Georgia at home in DKR and go on to play Ole Miss for the SEC Championship and win by three points on a Burt Auburn field goal.
The top games that present real challenges for Texas are: Michigan, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Arkansas.
Hate to leave out Texas A&M, but we think Texas will completely destroy Texas A&M in College Station and make them bring them water after the game. If not, Sarkisian will wish he has not taken the Texas job and t-shirts with the horns down will be the biggest selling t-shirt in history.
Both teams have something to settle with each other. This will be the second biggest game in college football.
Write this down!
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