SEC Football: 10 Offseason Questions That Will Shape the Conference for 2023

Georgia won the national championship last week. The Bulldogs are heavily favored to win the SEC next season. 13 other teams are already thinking about how to topple Georgia.

The NFL draft deadline is on January 16. The first transfer portal window is closing. Alabama is looking for a new defensive coordinator. Bill O'Brien could go back to the NFL.

Georgia, Alabama, LSU and Tennessee are in Athlon Sports' Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2023. Georgia will have a three-man competition to replace Stetson Bennett, while Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson are slated to battle to replacing Bryce Young. Jayden Daniels has to hold off Garrett Nussmeier for the Tigers' starting job.

Jimbo Fisher hired Bobby Petrino to manage the Texas A&M's offense. The team finished 5-7 last season. Petrinos' style is not a drastic shift from Fisher's.

Zach Arnett takes over at Mississippi State after Mike Leach's passing. He will have to maintain last year's win total of nine. Arnet has already put his stamp on the program with a shift in offensive scheme and the hire of Kevin Barbay from Appalachian State.

Kentucky's offense ranked last in the SEC in scoring and yards per play in '22. Liam Coen and Devin Leary are returning to the team. Tayvion Robinson, Barion Brown and Dane Key are all returning. The offensive line allowed 46 sacks last year.

Shane Beamer has exceeded expectations in his first two years at South Carolina. The Gamecocks finished with an 8-5 record in '22. Quarterback Spencer Rattler and receiver Juice Wells will return for '23.

Arkansas has a young quarterback and running back returning, but also a lot of turnover at receiver and along the line. Barry Odom left the program at the end of '22 to be the head coach at UNLV. Arkansas ranked near the bottom of the SEC in pass efficiency defense, allowed 6.5 yards per play and surrendered 30.6 points a game.

Florida is coming off back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 1978-79. The Gators must replace quarterback Anthony Richardson, All-American guard O'Cyrus Torrence, defenders Ventrell Miller (LB) and Gervon Dexter (DL), and leading receiver Ricky Pearsall. Montrell Johnson and Trevor Etienne are good foundation to build around, but the quarterback spot remains a concern. Uncertainty hangs over the commitment of five-star prospect Jaden Rashada.

Hugh Freeze takes over at Auburn. The team is expected to be competitive in the SEC West. Jarquez Hunter should emerge as the new No. 1 back with Brian Battie sharing the load. Ron Roberts will be the defensive coordinator. Robby Ashford needs to take a big step forward at quarterback.

The SEC has 10 questions to answer for 2023.

Jaxson Dart should improve in his second year as the starting quarterback for Ole Miss. Quinshon Judkins returns after a standout freshman year. Clark Lea will try to improve Vanderbilt's defense after finishing 14th in the SEC in points allowed in each of the last two years. Redshirt freshman Sam Horn will compete for the Missouri starting job.