SEC Power Rankings After Tua Tagovailoa Leaves Alabama

Tua Tagovailoa's decision to skip his final season of eligibility at Alabama and head to the NFL Draft will have reverberations around the SEC, as it likely means a brief pause on the Crimson Tide's dominance of the conference. Yes, despite LSU's reign of terror in 2019, Nick Saban and Co. have still won the SEC five out of the last eight years. That's no easy task. Yet, despite another loaded recruiting class, Bama is facing an uphill battle without the eldest Tagovailoa behind center.

5. Florida Gators

Florida finally has their QB in Kyle Trask / Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

Florida's outlook is far different entering 2020, as they've found a reliable QB in Kyle Trask, who supplanted the injured Feleipe Franks early in the season. With a stable signal-caller behind center, Dan Mullen's vision in Gainesville should continue to take shape. It helps the Gators play in the far weaker SEC East, as well.

4. Alabama Crimson Tide

Mac Jones leads Alabama without Tua Tagovailoa / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

No Tua, no problem. Alabama's issues ran far deeper than the quarterback position in 2019, with the defense surrendering an ungodly amount of points in big spots, including losses to LSU and Auburn. Mac Jones will lead an experienced offense that will return wideout Devonta Smith in 2020. Should Dylan Moses stick to his word and come back to lead the defense, the Crimson Tide could return to prominence without missing a beat.

3. Auburn Tigers

Auburn QB Bo Nix was only a freshman in 2019 / Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Bo Nix's magical season behind center should only make his confidence grow. The 19-year-old will enter his sophomore campaign as the unquestioned leader of one of the more exciting offenses in college football. Add in a recruiting class ranked eighth in the country, and Gus Malzahn and Co. should make some noise in the SEC West in life after Tua.

2. Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia's 2020 fate depends on Jake Fromm decision / Sean Gardner/Getty Images

I reserve the right to change this ranking before the Jan. 20 NFL Draft deadline. Despite being routinely under-appreciated by thousands in Athens, should Jake Fromm return Georgia's CFP chances increase dramatically. He's a seasoned vet behind center and knows the offense, which will be featuring a new stable of backs after DeAndre Swift opted the head to the NFL. The defense should remain a strength, but the SEC is a QB driven league.

1. LSU Tigers

Ed Orgeron must prove he's built an SEC powerhouse / Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

The potential 2019 national champions have to prove their worth come next season. Sure, Joe Brady's offense was downright stupid at times with Joe Burrow behind center, but without the Heisman winner, will that unit remain as explosive? Myles Brennan is no Burrow, and starting over from scratch with a young signal-caller is a tough task without the otherworldly arm talent of the Ohio State transfer. Nonetheless, LSU's loaded recruiting class and consistent defensive improvement, specifically from their young DBs, throughout the season proves they ought to start next season just as they ended this campaign -- on top of the conference.