Pete Thamel Reveals Prediction For SEC Championship Game

Last season's SEC Championship was between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Nick Saban beat Kirby Smart and kept the Bulldogs out of the College Football Playoff. Alabama, the Michigan Wolverines, the Texas Longhorns, and the Washington Huskies made the playoff.

Pete Thamel and Rece Davis broke down their playoff teams on a recent " College GameDay Podcast " episode. The pair named their five conference champions and the other seven teams in their playoff bracket.

Thamel's pick for SEC champion was the Texas Longhorns. The Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners joined the conference this offseason from the Big 12. He also predicted that Texas would be the top seed in this season's playoff.

"I have the University of Texas, the SEC champions, as the number one seed." Thamel said.

Texas returns stars like starting quarterback Quinn Ewers, offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., and defensive end Ethan Burke. The Longhorns also relied on the portal this offseason.

Former Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Isaiah Bond, former Alabama tight end Amari Niblack, former UTSA Roadrunners edge rusher Trey Moore, and former Clemson Tigers safety Andrew Mukuba were some of the top portal commitments this offseason.

In addition to the returning players and transfers, Texas had a solid 2024 recruiting class. The class was ranked sixth overall and highlighted by former five-star edge rusher Collin Simmons , former four-star OT Brandon Baker , former four-star cornerback Kobe Black , and former four-star WR Ryan Wingo .

It would be remarkable for Texas to reach the SEC title game in its first year in the conference. The Missouri Tigers reached the title game in their second year in the SEC in 2013. Missouri lost to the Auburn Tigers, who played in the national championship that season. Auburn lost to the Florida State Seminoles in that game.

Texas opens the year with the Colorado State Rams on Aug. 31.

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