Who will win the SEC? Updated odds, predictions, key games for 2024 college football season

The SEC — and college football in general — underwent a substantial realignment this offseason. Blue-bloods Texas and Oklahoma joined the SEC, divisions went away, and the conference expanded to 16 teams. Still, familiar favorite Georgia sits atop the SEC futures odds board.

The Sporting News will get you reacquainted with the SEC, listing DraftKings' projected odds to win and revealing the way-too-early best bets and top picks.

It's no surprise that the Bulldogs rank first, even though Alabama unseated them a year ago. Georgia won back-to-back College Football Playoff National Championships in 2021 and 2022, and it has missed the SEC Championship Game just twice with head coach Kirby Smart at the helm.

MORE: Top 25 rankings | Playoff/bowl game predictions

Sitting right behind Georgia (+200) is newcomer Texas (+320) and fellow perennial powerhouse Ole Miss (+600). Alabama (+800) and LSU (+1000) serve as the only other teams shorter than +1400 to win the SEC title game.

Let's get to DraftKings ' full futures board for the 2024 odds to win the SEC, and unveil our best bet to win this new-look powerhouse conference.

SEC Championship Game Winner 2024: Odds

Here's a look at the updated odds to win the SEC in 2024. Oddsmakers love Georgia to return to the throne atop the conference, although it's worth noting that SEC newcomer Texas is also listed at just over 3-to-1 odds.

SEC Championship Game Winner 2024: Best bet

Georgia Bulldogs (+200)
Key games: vs. Alabama, vs. Ole Miss, vs. Texas, @ Florida, @ Tennessee.

Kirby Smart remains one of the best roster-builders in college football, thanks to his high school recruiting as well as his work with the transfer portal. And George isn't just a defensive powerhouse now, with plenty of pop on the other side of the ball thanks in large part to 2023 breakout QB Carson Beck.

Beck has tremendous vision and arguably the best arm in the SEC, and he has one of the most dependable offensive lines in football protecting him. The Bulldogs also enjoy an explosive wide receiver corps as well as a dominant 1-2 running back bunch with Trevor Etienne and Roderick Robinson. Even with two new blue bloods kicking in the doors of the SEC, Georgia should be able to defend its house in 2024-25.

SEC Championship Game Winner 2024: Top value bet

Alabama Crimson Tide (+800)
Key games: @ Wisconsin, vs. Georgia, at Tennessee, vs. Missouri, @ LSU, @ Oklahoma

Following in the footsteps of college football legend Nick Saban is likely the most difficult task that Kalen DeBoer will ever undertake. That said, Saban left Alabama's football program in a very good position to succeed — even with the loss of safety Caleb Downs and wideout Isaiah Bond to the transfer portal.

The reigning champs still have plenty of studs on both sides of the ball — including dynamic QB Jalen Milroe — and DeBoer is a heck of an analytical head coach. DeBoer led Washington to an undefeated 2023 season with 12 wins and a Pac-12 championship, the same win total and conference-title fate Alabama enjoyed after it mounted an 8-0 record in the SEC last year. Don't sleep on the Crimson Tide.

SEC Championship Game Winner 2024: Biggest fade

LSU Tigers (+1000)
Key games: vs. USC, vs. UCLA, vs. Ole Miss, at Arkansas, at Texas A&M, vs. Alabama, vs. Oklahoma

Look at that barrage of key games, and then reconsider your long-shot bet on LSU. It's important in college football futures betting to not get carried away with betting on a name before you analyze the program's roster and upcoming schedule.

Brian Kelly deserves credit for the steps he has taken since taking control of the Tigers, but they're still a long way from competing for the SEC Championship. Star QB and No. 2 NFL draft pick Jayden Daniels is a massive loss, and LSU's defense has more question marks than answers. Stay far away from this dead-end futures bet.