Post Spring Power Rankings for the SEC Football Teams
6. Tennessee Volunteers
Out goes Joe Milton and in comes Nico Iamaleava at the starting quarterback position for Josh Heupel. While Milton and Hendon Hooker have been solid quarterbacks for Heupel neither has been as talented as Nico Iamaleava. The Volunteers may also have the best player in college football in James Pearce Jr anchoring their defense.
The SEC expanding may be the only thing that can slow the Vols as they face Georgia, Alabama, and Oklahoma but, the twelve-team playoff should be in play. These next two seasons with Iamaleava at the helm may be Josh Heupel's best chances at a National Title so look for Tennessee to go all in via the transfer portal.
5. Ole Miss Rebels
Lane Kiffin has been building this Ole Miss program for exactly what his roster looks like heading into 2024. After getting Ole Miss it's first 11 win season in school history Lane Kiffin has added the transfer pieces needed to be a serious contender for the College Football Playoff.
Kiffin has revamped his defense adding top transfers like Walter Nolen, Trey Amos, Brandon Turnage, Princely Unanmielen, and Chris Paul Jr. The offensive guru has a team that will succeed as it's defense does with an underrated group. Offensively the team will be just fine with Jaxson Dart dishing the ball to Tre Harris, Jordan Watkins, and Antwane Wells Jr. If Lane Kiffin can't get to the playoff with this group then the transfer approach may need to be re-thought.
4. Missouri Tigers
The Missouri Tigers are seemingly at the peak of the Eli Drinkwitz era as the Tigers will be a pre-season darling for many media outlets and for good reason. After an 11-2 season, Drinkwitz returns starting quarterback Brady Cook and the nation's top receiver Luther Burden. Cook and Burden will combine to power the offense while the defense returns a majority of it's key starters from 2023.
The biggest concern for this Missouri team is at running back as the team lost Cody Schrader to the NFL draft after he rushed for 1,627 yards and 14 touchdowns. If the Tigers replace Schrader, the Tigers may end up in the College Football Playoff while if not this pre-season hype train may get derailed.