But this is Alabama’s world, one that tends be rocked temporarily — often by Mississippi — before returning to its rightful spot atop the Football Bowl Subdivision. Want this reign of terror to end? Easy: It’ll begin to end the day Nick Saban steps aside, and likely not end completely until Alabama’s replacement has his first inevitable struggles to match his predecessor’s success.
There’s only one problem: National titles, not disappointment, seem to rejuvenate Saban. Some are motivated by failure; others are driven by success. Saban fits into the latter category, which makes the program’s current run all the more frustrating to the Tide’s rivals — because it seems so self-perpetuating in its dominance.
But there is hope on the horizon. Maybe LSU can find the quarterback play it needs to take advantage of a roster otherwise ready to lift another national title. Maybe Mississippi can beat not just Alabama but everyone else. Maybe Auburn and Texas A&M … well, let’s not go there.
But maybe Tennessee is ready. Maybe Saban acolyte Kirby Smart can install his own take on the process at Georgia. Maybe last season’s 10-win finish was just the start for Jim McElwain at Florida.
Maybe! But probably not. It’s Saban’s world, and everyone else is just renting space until retirement
Projections:EAST
1. Tennessee (No. 11)
2. Georgia (No. 17)
3. Florida (No. 24)
4. Kentucky (No. 71)
5. South Carolina (No. 81)
6. Missouri (No. 85)
7. Vanderbilt (No. 113)
WEST
1. Alabama (No. 1)
2. LSU (No. 9)
3. Mississippi (No. 15)
4. Auburn (No. 28)
5. Arkansas (No. 39)
6. Texas A&M (No. 73)
7. Mississippi State (No. 60)
(Original article here http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2016/08/12/sec-conference-preview-2016-college-football/88575992/)
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