Dan Mullen, former head coach of the Florida Gators and current ESPN analyst, has stirred up some excitement with his bold prediction for the 2024 SEC standings. Mullen forecasts that the Texas Longhorns will finish first in the SEC, edging out the Georgia Bulldogs, who are expected to place second. This prediction is particularly noteworthy as it marks Texas’s inaugural season in the SEC.
In the previous season, Texas achieved a significant milestone by winning 12 games, a feat they had not accomplished since 2009. Their 2023 record stood at 12-2, with an 8-1 record in Big 12 play. Their season concluded with a semifinal loss to the University of Washington in the College Football Playoff. Despite this, the return of several key players from last season’s roster has fueled optimism that the Longhorns can maintain their high level of performance and potentially top the SEC standings in 2024. They are currently ranked No. 4 in the AP Top 25.
On the other hand, Georgia has been dominant in the SEC, having secured the top spot for the past three years and competing in six of the last seven SEC Championship Games. Despite their impressive track record, they have won only two of these six championship appearances. Thus, the possibility of Georgia losing to Texas or another contender in the 2024 SEC Championship game is plausible.
Mullen’s prediction that Georgia might not finish first in the SEC this year would indeed be surprising, given their recent dominance. If the Bulldogs and Longhorns meet in the SEC Championship game, their potential matchup will be previewed on October 19 when Georgia visits Austin, Texas, for a highly anticipated game. This clash is expected to be a major highlight of the season for both teams.
Getting in the title game could come down to the tiebreaker. There are 6 teams that have a chance. @SEC @ESPNCFB @espn pic.twitter.com/PP3Wr35H63
— Dan Mullen (@CoachDanMullen) August 22, 2024
Georgia begins their 2024 season on August 31 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, facing No. 14 Clemson. They are currently the top-ranked team in the AP Top 25, underscoring their status as a formidable force in college football.
