2023 SEC Preview and Odds: Can Georgia Win It All Again?

There’s little doubt that the SEC is the toughest conference in college football. The conference has had the last four national champions and produces the most NFL talent year-after-year. The odds show that SEC in 2023 should be no different. Let’s take a look at some of the best futures bets in the conference.

Since Nick Saban took the job at Alabama in 2007, the team has been a perennial national championship contender. The Crimson Tide have collected six national championships and have won at least 10 games in all but one season. In fact, Bama has held the No. 1 spot in the AP Poll at some point during every season since 2008.

Opening at No. 4, that might change this year. However, the Tide will still be an elite team. Alabama’s over/under for 2023 is 10.5 with the best odds coming from FanDuel Sportsbook at +148 to bet the over. Despite the uncertainty at the quarterback position, this is a bet we absolutely love.

When analyzing Bama’s history under Saban along with its schedule, it’s impossible how this win total is only 10.5. The Crimson Tide have gone over that total every year since 2010, and this season they don’t play Georgia in the regular season. Yes, quarterback Bryce Young is gone, and we’re not going to pretend it’s easy to replace a guy like that even for a school like Bama. However, Jalen Milore should give them at least adequate quarterback play. Plus, Saban has historically been able to adjust no matter who’s behind center.

The defense should also be elite even with the loss of Will Anderson to the NFL Draft. The Crimson Tide were No. 9 in scoring defense last season and still possess a formidable front-seven. The Tide also have arguably the best secondary in the country led by Kool-Aid McKinstry and Malachi Moore. Alabama has more questions than usual heading into this season, but the Crimson Tide should easily surpass 10.5 wins.

Under head coach Brian Kelly, LSU rebounded with 10 wins and a Citrus Bowl victory in 2022. The Tigers also put together the top transfer portal class in the conference heading into this season. LSU’s pass defense efficiency was top-30 in the country last year and it should be even stronger in 2023. Cornerbacks Denver Harris, Zy Alexander, JK Johnson, Duce Chestnut all came over via the transfer portal.

LSU’s odds to reach the College Football Playoff this season are +380 at FanDuel Sportsbook and represent a solid value alternative compared to Georgia and Alabama. If either school falters at all, the Tigers are the team to take over, so we like this bet.

What made the 2022 season impressive for LSU was the fact it didn’t have that much NFL talent relative to past years. Only six players were drafted from the program in 2023, with BJ Ojulari being the only selection within the first three rounds. The Tigers have mostly the same roster that won 10 games last year and, it has been upgraded through the transfer portal.

Georgia won its second-straight National Championship by demolishing TCU 65-7 in January. It’s tough to win back-to-back titles; it hadn’t been done since 2011-12 (Alabama). Winning three in-a-row has only been done once officially (Minnesota 1934-36). The Bulldogs are the consensus favorite to win the 2023 National Championship, with their best odds at BetMGM Sportsbook at +230. We recommend betting against history and taking these odds.

The 2021 Bulldogs were so dominant that it seemed nearly impossible to replicate that success in 2022. Georgia set a modern NFL record with 15 draft picks following their 2021 National Championship. Five defensive players were taken in the first round, including No. 1 pick Travon Walker. Even with the losses, the 2022 Bulldogs defense only gave up 14.3 points-per-game. Georgia has once again lost some top players to the NFL Draft, but if last year is any indication, it shouldn’t really matter.

The question is at quarterback. Stetson Bennett is in the NFL, so it’s up to either Carson Beck or Brock Vandagriff to take the reins. There’s a saying that if you have two quarterbacks, you have none. However, both of these quarterbacks were top recruits and have formidable weapons to throw to — led by All-American tight end Brock Bowers. The offensive line has four players with starting experience returning along with running back Kendall Milton. Georgia is deservedly the favorite for the 2023 National Championship.