By: Drayton Hogarth

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

While spring practice is going on all over the college football world, The Golden Nugget in Las Vegas released their odds to reach the Southeastern Conference championship game.

It is really a mystery as to how they handicap a league even before an entire recruiting class, however Vegas wasn’t built on winners so it often pays to heed their prognostications.

If you are wanting to take a flyer on a couple of sleeper teams in the SEC, and want to know who to stay away from, then keep reading and prepare to reap the rewards at season’s end. Given that these odds were to reach the championship game and not necessarily win it, we’ll take a look at some teams from both sides of the conference.

The overall favorite to make it to Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta comes from the SEC West and is, of course, Alabama. They are such overwhelming favorites to yet again reach the title game that one should look elsewhere for a sleeper pick.

Golden Nugget likes the LSU Tigers as the runner up in the West. This one, I am not so sure on. There are a lot of questions marks surrounding the school in Baton Rouge entering this season.

First off, starting at the very top, the Tigers will have Ed Orgeron at the helm full time now. Things can change when the interim head coach takes over as THE head coach. There is a lot riding on the new hire of offensive coordinator, Matt Canada.

Returning starting quarterback, Danny Etling likely doesn’t strike fear into the hearts of his opponents. Plus, stud pass rusher, Arden Key, is not currently enrolled in school. If he is unable to get his off the field issues in order that will be a massive blow to their defensive plans. Steer clear of the LSU Tigers.

The roller coaster known as the Auburn Tigers appears to be back on the incline. Alleged offensive guru, Gus Malzahn, may finally have a quarterback that can both run the ball and complete a forward pass in Baylor transfer, Garrett Stidham.

Stidham will have a plethora of athletic wide receivers to work with and enough running backs to balance the offensive attack. Plus, despite major losses along the defensive line, the Tiger defense should be adequate to help them have a chance in every game. Auburn would be a smart choice to take a chance on for a big payday.

Heading to the SEC East, the Nugget has the Florida Gators as the favorite in the division yet again. However, the offensive struggles will not have as stellar of a defense to bail them out game after game. McElwain’s inability to recruit at an elite level is catching up with his staff and Muschamp’s players are either graduating or moving on to the NFL draft.

A close second in the East is the Georgia Bulldogs; there is a lot to be excited about in Athens. When a defense that really improved as the season went along in 2016 returns 10 out of 11 starters, that is a great place to begin.

While the offense struggled for a true identity, there is much to look forward to; beginning with possibly the league’s most talented quarterback, the best running back stable in the conference, enough playmakers at the receiver and tight end positions, and an offensive line that returns enough experience to go with a stellar recruiting class of offensive linemen to supplement and bolster the weakest spot on the team last season.

So, there you have it, make your move with Auburn and or Georgia. Stay away from LSU and Florida because of just too many question marks.

By going with the imposing Crimson Tide, you have the clear cut blue chip stock that comes at a premium, but tends to have solid steady return on investment that is associated with such.