It’s Alabama football, and then …

Days when you can confidently talk about fall college football as soon as the various spring-wrapped in-team games are over. The transfer portal is not stuck with players looking for a new home on the same level as basketball.

The SEC power ratings are likely to be revised as the dust settles after the SEC Media Days, but until then, speculation will depend more on two things: past history and the future schedule.

1. Alabama (13-0 last season)

Like a nicely tailored tuxedo, the Alabama team of recent seasons had a classic look and the finest materials. In 2021, the rest of the league will look for that one hanging wire to pull and unload the entire creation. A young quarterback? Tough SEC schedule with games at Texas A&M and Florida? Other teams pull.

2. Texas A&M (9-1)

It’s not right to say that Jimbo Fishers ’mouth wrote the alarge review in his comments about winning Alabama this spring. The modern version is that the Jimbos mouth has a better ATM password. But to be fair, Aggies has a lot of funds available.

3. LSU (5–5)

Just a guess, but it’s possible that LSU could get a flash in the bottle, as it did in 2019.

4. Georgia (8-2)

The simplest logic is to put Georgia in 2nd place because it has an SEC schedule for Atlanta. The opening of the season against Clemson could make Georgia number one in the country if the Bulldogs find a way to win, but winning it is not easy.

5. Florida (8-4)

The 2020 season ended strangely for Florida, even though it came closer to anyone than dropping Alabama. I trust Dan Mullen to make it weird again.

6. Be Miss (5-5)

Lane Kiffin once helped with the Alabamaa College Football Playoff by planning a crime around Blake Sims, so it’s fascinating to see what he can do with veteran Matt Corral.

7. Auburn (6-5)

This Auburn team is always ready to resist expectations and is more mysterious than most. The tigers are too good to reach the bottom three, but all the other results are not shocks.