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SEC Football: Predicting the 2023 SEC standings and final rankings

By Kevin Miller

South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer approaching Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea for a handshake after the Gamecocks beat the Commodores in 2022. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer approaching Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea for a handshake after the Gamecocks beat the Commodores in 2022. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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SEC Football
SEC football (and college football as a whole) coaching legend Mike Leach passed away before bowl season last year, leaving Zach Arnett in charge of the Mississippi State football program. Mandatory Credit:Syndication: The Clarion Ledger /

2023 SEC Football Standings No. 9 (and 5th in the SEC West):
Mississippi State Bulldogs

First off, rest in peace to The Pirate, Mike Leach.

Replacing a head coach is never easy, but new Bulldog headman Zach Arnett seems to have as much fan support as any coach could after a program endures a tragedy like the death of Mike Leach.

Mississippi State has the talent to be a good football team in 2023, but with all the transition in Starkville and the gauntlet that is the schedule, even a good showing this fall could result in a less-than-stellar record for the maroon and white.

A new-look offense led by former Appalachian State offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay will be a hinge point for the Bulldogs this season. If State and veteran quarterback Will Rogers can move the ball, the team’s defense should give them a chance to win every time out.

Jett Johnson, Nathanael Watson, and De’Monte Russell could all be in for big-time production in 2023, holding down one of the nation’s most underrated defensive units heading into the season. How Arnett and new defensive coordinator Matt Brock are able to coexist could be the determiner of whether the Bulldog D will be good or great this fall.

PREDICTION

Overall: 7-5; SEC Football: 3-5
SE Louisiana (W), Arizona (W), LSU (L), @South Carolina (L), Alabama (L), Western Michigan (W), @Arkansas (W), @Auburn (W), Kentucky (W), @Texas A&M (L), Southern Miss (W), Ole Miss (L)

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