SEC Looks to Win 8th Straight BCS Championship

 
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Although the names change on the back of the jerseys, the SEC continues to be college football’s juggernaut conference. Alabama is the current top team everyone is gunning for, but the depth in both divisions makes the conference truly remarkable. So with the reigning BCS Champions and Heisman Trophy winner headlining things, how will the SEC play out in 2013?

Things begin with Alabama, who are looking to win their 3rd straight national championship. After barely surviving a tough battle with Georgia in the SEC championship game a season ago, they destroyed Notre Dame in the title game for their 2nd championship. Led by returning quarterback AJ McCarron, the Crimson Tide is loaded on both sides of the ball.

As good as Alabama is, one player is not ready to buy the hype just yet. The Crimson Tide’s lone loss in 2012 was to Johnny Manziel and the Texas A&M Aggies. The newcomers to the SEC might have had the strongest finish in the country, and it was that play that helped Manziel become the first freshman ever to win the Heisman Trophy, and become one of the most hyped prospects in years in a year that saw rookie QB’s take the NFL and fantasy football by storm. They will enter the season as perhaps the toughest challenge for Alabama, and their meeting in Week 3 should be a good one.

South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and LSU all appear to be on that next tier below the top two contenders in the SEC. All four of these teams could be ranked inside the top 15 to begin the season, which shows just how competitive this conference is. The Gamecocks have the most intimidating defensive player in the college game in Jadeveon Clowney, and if they can find a way to win the East, no one wants to play them in Atlanta for the SEC championship.

Much like last season, it would be hard to imagine that any team in the SEC finishes the regular season undefeated. More than likely, the winner of the SEC championship game will carry on the tradition of playing in the BCS championship game. Alabama still has the most weapons, but they will have to survive a tough schedule just to get back in position. Don't bet against the Crimson Tide just yet, but a total of six teams have legitimate title hopes in 2013.