2023 SEC Conference Preview & Predictions – Can Anyone Stop Georgia?

• Georgia is the clear favorite to win the SEC Conference in 2023-24, followed by Alabama and LSU
• The Bulldogs have won back-to-back National Titles, and are favored to three-peat
• Read below for 2023 SEC Title odds and conference predictions

The 2023-24 SEC football season is expected to be an exciting one, with several teams vying for the conference title. Fresh off their second consecutive national championship, the Georgia Bulldogs enter the CFB season as the clear favorites to claim the SEC crown.

It won’t be a walk in the park for the Bulldogs, however, as the Alabama Crimson Tide and the LSU Tigers are hot on their heels in the SEC Title odds. The Texas A&M Aggies, Tennessee Volunteers, and Ole Miss Rebels are also in the mix, and they might just surprise everyone.

The table below displays the latest odds to win the SEC ahead of kickoff. Below, find our 2023 SEC conference predictions and best bets.

2023 SEC Title Odds

In the SEC Title odds, Georgia is the -115 favorite, giving them 53.5% implied probability to repeat as champions.

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Odds as of August 11th, 2023 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Use the DraftKings promo code to bet on the 2023 SEC winner. Bettors in KY should check out available Kentucky sports betting apps. 

Bulldogs Clear Favorite to Win SEC

Unrpsingly, Georgia enters the 2023-24 college football season as the clear betting favorite to win the SEC title. Kirby Smart’s team had an incredible 2023 season, finishing with a 15-0 record en route to claiming a second straight national championship.

During their two-year reign of college football, the Bulldogs have dominated with an average point difference of +27.6 PPG, the best in the FBS. Their defense is equally impressive, with a -23.2 average spread, the largest in the FBS.

The Bulldogs are set to return 13 starters from 2022-23, many of whom are All-SEC candidates. The most talented returning player is tight end Brock Bowers, who is currently a huge longshot in the Heisman odds. During the 2022 campaign, Bowers caught 63 receptions for 942 yards and seven touchdowns.

The biggest question mark surrounding Georgia might be at quarterback, as senior Stetson Bennett is off to the NFL. Carson Beck, who completed 26 of 35 passes for 310 yards and four touchdowns in backup duty last season, is expected to take over as starting quarterback.

Georgia’s defense is always the key to their success, and it won’t be much different in 2023-24. The team has seven returning starters on that side of the ball, and head coach Kirby Smart is developing younger talent. Sophomore DE Mykel Williams is a player to watch, as he is predicted to be one of the best all-around edge defenders in the country.

While playing in the SEC is never easy, Georgia’s schedule for the 2023 season is ranked 62nd based on their opponents’ combined win total from the previous year. They will face seven teams that finished over .500 in 2022. The early CFB betting lines have UGA favored big over most opponents.

Alabama, LSU Knocking on the Door

Although Georgia is the favorite to win the SEC this season, Alabama and LSU also have favorable odds. The Crimson Tide, who have won the SEC Title in two of the past three seasons, have better odds than LSU despite the Tigers topping them in the SEC West standings in 2022.

The Crimson Tide must overcome the loss of quarterback Bryce Young, who was selected first overall by Carolina in the NFL Draft. The Tide have yet to name a starting quarterback, with junior Jalen Milrote competing with five-star prospect Ty Simpson for the coveted gig.

Jalen Milroe first day throwing highlights.

(🎥 via @UA_Athletics) pic.twitter.com/57GpfOgAUR

— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) August 4, 2023

LSU does return their starting quarterback, which is a big reason the team has been gaining steam in both the SEC odds and National Championship odds. Daniels threw for 2,913 yards and 17 TDS in 2022, while adding 885 yards and 11 TDs on the ground.

The Tide are expected to shift to a more “ground-and-pound” style offense as they break in a new quarterback. A key piece to their rushing attack will be senior RB Jase McClellan, who accumulated 655 yards and seven rushing touchdowns in 2022, which was second-most behind Jahmyr Gibbs.

Both these teams won 10 regular-season games in 2022, and it’s clear oddsmakers are giving the edge to Alabama in the odds. The Tigers are still being slightly undervalued at this price, especially considering they have eight starters on their roster, which includes all five offensive linemen and one of the SEC’s best young tight ends in Mason Taylor.

SEC Longshots to Consider

If not Alabama or LSU, who might rise up to take the SEC Titlte crown in 2023? Tennesse is a team worth serious consideration in the odds to win the SEC. The Volunteers are riding high on momentum, having finished last season with double-digit wins for the first time since 2007.

Tennesse took down Alabama last year in one of the biggest college football games of the season, but ultimately came up short of reaching the SEC Title game due to a late-season loss against South Carolina. The Vols did showcase great future potential, however, with a dominant season-ending Orange Bowl win over Clemson.

The Vols are being slept on a bit due to the loss of quarterback Hendon Hooker. Aside from Hooker, though, the team returns several offensive weapons including receiver Bru McCoy (667 yds), plus running backs Jabari Small (734 yds) and Jaylen Wright (875 yds).

Tennesse is sure to be competitive in 2023-24 with their high-scoring offense under Josh Hupuel, but whether or not they take the next step will depend on the performance of QB Jalen Milroe. The senior pivot, with a 64.6% completion rate, amassed 971 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022.

Outside of Tennessee, we also aren’t sleeping on Jimo Fisher and the Texas A&M Aggies as longshots in the SEC Title odds. After a disappointing 5-7 campaign in 2022, the Aggies are under pressure to rebound and live up to the expectations set by their impressive recruiting classes over recent years.

Despite an underwhelming record, Texas A&M’s defense was ranked 25th in the nation in terms of points allowed last season. They are also one of a few teams returning their starting QB in Connor Weigman, who passed for 896 yards and eight touchdowns with no picks last year.

2023 SEC Conference Winner Prediction

The SEC conference hasn’t had much variety when it comes to conference winners lately. Either Alabama or Georgia has won the conference in nine of the past 10 years, with LSU taking the crown in 2017 thanks to Joe Burrow’s heroics.

Past 10 SEC Title Winners

For our 2023 SEC Conference predictions, we’re going with a value play on Tennessee at +1400. Yes, Georgia and Alabama are proven powerhouses, but they are both breaking in new quarterbacks and having to overcome significant NFL departures.

The Vols were one victory away from a potential playoff birth in 2022, and return a ton of firepower from that high-powered offense. Getting Georgia and A&M at home is key, and Heupel’s ability to produce high-quality quarterbacks has us optimistic Milton with thrive as starting QB.

Pick: Tennessee (+1400)