Not many SEC teams are given a realistic chance of dethroning Georgia in 2023. That means one of last year’s breakout schools qualifies as a significant underdog to win the conference.
The Bulldogs are heavy favorites (-110) to take home another conference crown. If anyone can usurp the Bulldogs, sportsbooks think Alabama (+300) or LSU (+460) has the best shot.
Pat McAfee identified the next best team, Tennessee, as a betting dark horse to win the SEC this season. He thinks the Volunteers can build on a “beautiful” 11-win season under head coach Josh Heupel.
“It kind of feels like a cop-out because they’re the 12th-ranked team in the country, but I like Tennessee,” McAfee said on Saturday’s College GameDay. “Now, it’s another year with Heupel’s system and obviously Joe (Milton) is going to have to do a good job at quarterback. They’re +1500 to win the SEC, so it is a long shot.”
That magical run for Tennessee last season was BEAUTIFUL..
I fell in love with ROCKY TOP#CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/ZqNTVkrhCT
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 26, 2023
ESPN’s new hire said last season “made me fall in love with Rocky Top.” The Volunteers rose to No. 2 in the AP poll and No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings with an 8-0 start that included wins over LSU and Alabama.
However, they suffered a 27-13 loss in Athens and surrendered 66 points to South Carolina in November. With a national title no longer in play, Tennessee settled for an Orange Bowl win over Clemson.
Heupel turns the offense over from Hendon Hooker to Milton, who tossed three touchdowns to beat Clemson at Hard Rock Stadium. The sixth-year senior inherits a unit that led the nation with 46.1 points per game last season.
Tennessee enters 2023 with high expectations, but those don’t include an SEC title. The Vols open the season by hosting Virginia on Saturday at noon ET.