By: Kenneth Harrison

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Everyone is aware of the current COVID-19 pandemic and how it has changed everyday life for the world.

The social distancing also has an impact on sports since players cannot compete against or work out with each other.

I think this will be a factor this college football season, assuming we still have one. I’m going to preview the SEC West in 2020.

Alabama: They were plagued with injuries in 2019. One player returning from injury is linebacker Dylan Moses. He missed the entire 2019 season with a torn ACL. He led the Crimson Tide with 86 tackles in 2018.

They also lost the top running back in the class of 2019 for the season, Trey Sanders. Najee Harris is also back after passing on the draft.

Quarterback play is under the spotlight with Tua Tagovailoa off to the NFL, but Mac Jones played well at the end of 2019, and true freshman Bryce Young will join the mix.

I don’t think they will have the same bad luck with injuries two years in a row.

LSU: The reigning national champs lose Heisman winning quarterback Joe Burrow. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady left for the NFL. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and wide receiver Justin Jefferson left early for the NFL.

Biletnikoff Award winner Ja’Marr Chase and Terrace Marshall are returning, and they combined for 33 touchdown catches.

Texas A&M: The Aggies have returning talent on both sides of the ball.

Leading running back Isaiah Spiller (946 yards) will improve as a sophomore and the offensive line remains largely intact.

The receiving corps is led by receivers Jhamon Ausbon (66 catches) and Ainias Smith (22) and tight ends Jalen Wydermyer and Baylor Cupp.

Can quarterback Kellen Mond take the next step in development as a senior? The defense also returns most of its key pieces.

Auburn: Bo Nix should be one of the most improved players in 2020. He had a good freshman season with 2,542 yards, 16 touchdowns, 6 picks and he completed 58% of his passes. He also rushed for 313 yards and 7 scores.

Former Arkansas coach Chad Morris was hired as the team’s new offensive coordinator, and his experience working with quarterbacks should help Nix develop as a passer.

The Tigers return a solid stable of running backs, and the team’s top three statistical receivers. Unfortunately, the offensive line loses four starters.

The Tigers also have the same problem in the trenches on defense, losing three starters.

Ole Miss: The Rebels lost eight games in 2019 but five came by eight points or less.

New coach Lane Kiffin isn’t stepping into a total rebuild. QB John Rhys Plumlee had a dynamic freshman season and the top three receivers are back. Both tackles are gone so the line may have some problems.

Ole Miss showed marked improvement on defense in 2019. After giving up 36.2 points a game in 2018, this unit allowed 26.5 last season.

Mississippi State: This is Mike Leach’s first year in Starkville.

He’s known for high-powered offense, but he needs to find a quarterback and receivers. All-SEC running back Kylin Hill returned for his senior year.

Arkansas: The Razorbacks have lost 19 consecutive conference games. They have a new coach, Sam Pittman. They have former Last Chance U star, running back Rakeem Boyd (1,133 yards)