Big and smart 2016 SEC football previews, from Kentucky to Alabama

Check out the advanced-stats glossary here. Below, a unique review of last year’s team, a unit-by-unit breakdown of this year’s roster, the full 2016 schedule with win projections for each game, and more.

Ambition is fine. Aiming high can pay off. But if you aim high and miss, it can set your program back years.

Check out the advanced-stats glossary here. Below, a unique review of last year’s team, a unit-by-unit breakdown of this year’s roster, the full 2016 schedule with win projections for each game, and more.

It feels like Gus Malzahn has been Auburn’s head coach for about eight years, doesn’t it?

Check out the advanced-stats glossary here. Below, a unique review of last year’s team, a unit-by-unit breakdown of this year’s roster, the full 2016 schedule with win projections for each game, and more.

Missouri, South Carolina, and Georgia are breaking in new head coaches. Kentucky has suddenly stagnated three years into Mark Stoops’ tenure. Florida might not have a quarterback. Tennessee still has to prove it can close tight games.

At the end of each conference run-through, I take a look at how I perceive the conference’s balance of power heading into the season. This is in no way based on schedules, so they are not predictions. This is just how I would rank the teams after writing thousands of words about each of them.

When I finished all of the Group of Five conferences, I compiled a full mid-major power rankings list. Now we’re into the last of the power conferences; here are the ACC, the Big Ten, the Pac-12, and the Big 12.

Check out the advanced-stats glossary here. Below, a unique review of last year’s team, a unit-by-unit breakdown of this year’s roster, the full 2016 schedule with win projections for each game, and more.

It’s nice to simplify a complex operation whenever possible. Football is as complex as they come, but it and every other team sport can be distilled into three pieces: acquisition, development, and deployment.

Check out the advanced-stats glossary here. Below, a unique review of last year’s team, a unit-by-unit breakdown of this year’s roster, the full 2016 schedule with win projections for each game, and more.

Let’s start with a flashback to my 2012 team preview.

Check out the advanced-stats glossary here. Below, a unique review of last year’s team, a unit-by-unit breakdown of this year’s roster, the full 2016 schedule with win projections for each game, and more.

First things first: Baton Rouge and a lot of Acadiana are currently dealing with the effects of historic flooding. Much of the region has been declared a disaster area, and thousands have seen their homes flooded or outright destroyed. (SB Nation contributor and And The Valley Shook co-manager Billy Gomilla is among them.) My thoughts go out to those in the region, and if you’re interested in helping in any way, I recommend starting with this NOLA.com link.

Check out the advanced-stats glossary here. Below, a unique review of last year’s team, a unit-by-unit breakdown of this year’s roster, the full 2016 schedule with win projections for each game, and more.

It’s hard to get all your ducks in a row, especially when you’re not signing elite recruiting classes. You need some diamonds in the rough to thrive at the same time on both sides of the ball. You need your classes balanced so that one unit isn’t rebuilding as another peaks. You need to peak in-season as the biggest games arrive.

Check out the advanced-stats glossary here. Below, a unique review of last year’s team, a unit-by-unit breakdown of this year’s roster, the full 2016 schedule with win projections for each game, and more.

Dan Mullen hasn’t had the most enjoyable offseason.

Check out the advanced-stats glossary here. Below, a unique review of last year’s team, a unit-by-unit breakdown of this year’s roster, the full 2016 schedule with win projections for each game, and more.

Head coach Jim McElwain took on a job that simultaneously had a low bar and a really high one.

Check out the advanced-stats glossary here. Below, a unique review of last year’s team, a unit-by-unit breakdown of this year’s roster, the full 2016 schedule with win projections for each game, and more.

Sure, the 2012 team was headlined by freshmen. Quarterback Johnny Manziel and receiver Mike Evans were stars beyond their age and gave Kevin Sumlin’s Aggies upside they wouldn’t have otherwise had. Manziel won the Heisman as a redshirt freshman, and A&M won 11 games in its SEC debut.

Check out the advanced-stats glossary here. Below, a unique review of last year’s team, a unit-by-unit breakdown of this year’s roster, the full 2016 schedule with win projections for each game, and more.

5-7 seasons are about as unmemorable as it gets. You weren’t terrible; you won five games. You clearly weren’t that good, because you lost more than you won.