Top Schools in SEC

Best Of SEC

By: Kipp Branch

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

The 2019 College Football Magazines have landed in the book stores.

I get most of my sports information on the internet nowadays but I still like to pick up a magazine or two when the SEC editions hit the stores. Here are my top three’s in selected topics. What makes this fun is everyone has a different and strong opinion one way or the other.

Top Game Day Experiences:

  1. Baton Rouge: if you have never attended a LSU home game in Red Stick you are missing a treat.

The Cajuns know how to put on a party and carry that intensity into the stadium. It is loud in Baton Rouge and the Tigers will be a pretty good football team in 2019. Best road trip in the SEC. This place is the best tailgating experience in all of college football.

  1. World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party: The UGA/UF games in Jacksonville have it all drinks, food, dancing, brawling (I got spit on in 2008 and you know that got addressed) and a heated football rivalry.

I have fraternity brothers on both sides heated up about this game already this fall and it’s only May.

  1. Athens: Best college town in America. Weather and atmosphere are great for big fall games in The Classic City. Can you imagine what it will be like on 9/21 when Notre Dame rolls into town?

Best Student Sections:

  1. South Carolina: Carolina students get to the game early and they rock “Sandstorm” in Williams Brice and wave those white towels.
  2. Ole Miss: If you want to see former and what future Miss America’s look like head to Oxford this fall and hang out in The Grove. A feast for your eyes.
  3. Florida: The Gates are on the way back and when they are good the student section there rocks. It helps that you can leave the stadium and return more juiced up than before. I don’t know if they have changed that policy or not since I went there last.

Best Defense:

  1. Alabama: The Tide have been checking into this spot frequently. Can the Tide continue to produce first round defensive lineman?
  2. Auburn: The Tigers have Derrick Brown back and maybe their best defense in years. Gus needs a great season and this defense will do its part.
  3. Florida: The Gators will be able to rush the passer as good as anyone and the SEC is a pressure league. Can Florida hold up at cornerback is the question?

Best Offense:

  1. Georgia: Jake Fromm is the best QB in the SEC. Yes, I said it Alabama fans. The Dawgs have the best offensive line and best set of running backs as well.
  2. Alabama: Tua is injury prone, but is a big play QB when healthy. Best set of wide receivers in the SEC. Very Good offensive line.
  3. Texas A&M: Jimbo can coach up some offense. The Aggies will put up some points in 2019 with Kellen Mond at QB. This team is on the rise.

Best Team:

  1. Alabama: Best starting 22 in the country. Saban is maybe the greatest head coach in college football history.
  2. Georgia: Best 85 man roster in the country. Kirby has assembled a monster.
  3. LSU: Don’t sleep on this team. Coach O has them almost back to being the LSU we know again.

Best Head Coach:

  1. Nick Saban: Nick is on the Mt. Rushmore of College Football coaches.
  2. Jimbo Fisher: Jimbo has a Natty at FSU and will build the Aggies into a beast.
  3. Kirby Smart: Best recruiter in America and has turned this program into a national power in just 3 years.

College Football starts in less than 100 days.