Welcome to the new era of the SEC.

Two new schools, old rivalries renewed, and there's always going to be something crazy that will be eye popping. However, when it comes to the Southeastern Conference, we have seen it all.

So with that being said, these are my picks for who's going to shock the SEC and exceed expectations in 2024.

Auburn

Hugh Freeze has owned recruiting in the state of Alabama. Not only does he have an opportunity to get two of the top receivers coming out of high school, in Ryan Williams and Cam Coleman, but he also has a QB that has a year under his belt and will improve next year.

If you look at Freeze’s track record, he's had QBs that have had success in his offense. I understand Payton Thorne is not Bo Wallace, Chad Kelly, or Malik Willis, but he is still a consistent QB that has had success throwing the football with weapons around him.

With those two WRs coming out of high school, and with a defense that should be improving, this is an eight win team, maybe even a ten win team if they can get out of October 2-1. 

Kentucky

The Brock Vandagriff era officially begins in Lexington.

Kentucky has been a consistent Top 25 team over the last five years and the expectations should be even bigger this fall. Names like Jared Lorenzen, Andre Woodson, Lynn Bowden, and Will Levis show that UK is no stranger to great quarterback play.

With Brock Vandagriff next in line to be the next great QB in the Bluegrass State, the biggest games they have to worry about is in September with Georgia and on the road against Ole Miss. After that, it should be smooth sailing for the Wildcats.

Mark Stoops is my early pick for SEC Coach of the Year and I think they have an opportunity to be this year's Missouri. We will see if they can be a contender for a potential New Year's Six if they can get past Texas on November 23rd.

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