The Southeastern Conference once again boasts the defending national champions as the Georgia Bulldogs look to win the SEC and College Football Playoff for a third-straight season. The Bulldogs enter the 2023 season as the odds-on favorite to win the conference at -115, with the Alabama Crimson Tide (+240) and LSU Tigers (+450) trailing behind them with the next-shortest odds. The Texas A&M Aggies, Tennessee Volunteers and Ole Miss Rebels highlight a strong middle class in the SEC which might be more competitive than people think.
How will the conference look this fall and what should bettors know before Week 1 begins in September?
We have everything you need to know to bet on the SEC ahead of the 2023 season here.
Resources: Schedule | Futures | Standings | Rankings | Football Power Index
Favorite futures for 2023 season
Joe Milton III to win the Heisman Trophy (+2200)
Let's put it this way: (a) Tennessee's SEC title odds are +1600, (b) a cakey non-conference schedule means the Vols would almost certainly have a playoff-worthy 12-1 or 13-0 record if they were to win said title, and (c) in this title scenario, Milton likely puts up absolutely filthy numbers for this playoff-worthy team. That's a good combination. Besides, life's too short not to ride the roller coaster of putting money on Milton finally putting all the pieces together. -- Bill Connelly
Alabama Crimson Tide under 10.5 wins (-150)
I'd imagine no one reading this will be interested in tailing me here. That's fine, lone wolf it is. I have a hard time seeing Alabama improving from last year's 10-win regular season to 11 or more wins this year after losing Bryce Young and Will Anderson Jr.
At the time of this writing, Alabama's quarterback battle is still unsettled. Keep something in mind: While the Crimson Tide went 10-2 during the regular season last year, they beat Texas by 1 point, Texas A&M by four points and Ole Miss by six points. What do you think this win total would be if 'Bama had dropped two of those three contests and concluded their regular season campaign 8-4? -- Joe Fortenbaugh
More conferences: ACC | Big 12
Odds to win SEC Championship
Notable game lines
North Carolina (-3.5) at South Carolina
Saturday Sept 2, 1:30 p.m. ET, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
LSU (-2.5) at Florida State
Sunday Sept 3, 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida
Texas at Alabama (-7)
Saturday Sept 9, Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
LSU (-5) at Ole Miss
Saturday, Sept. 30, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Mississippi
LSU at Alabama (-6.5)
Saturday Nov. 4, Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Georgia (-8) at Tennessee
Saturday Nov. 18, Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee
Florida State (-7.5) at Florida
Saturday Nov. 25, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
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Conference Notes
Alabama Crimson Tide
The Crimson Tide have their longest preseason title odds since 2015.
This is the ninth time that Alabama has not entered a season as the favorite to win the SEC under Nick Saban. They won the title in five of the previous eight instances, including five of the past six.
This is the first year since 2009 that Alabama isn't the preseason favorite to win the SEC.
Kentucky Wildcats
1-12 over/under last year; lowest Over pct of any FBS team.
Tennessee Volunteers
The Volunteers had a +9.04 cover margin last season, the best in the FBS.
Georgia Bulldogs
The Bulldogs have an average point diff of +27.6 PPG over past two seasons (best in FBS) and a -23.2 average spread (largest in FBS)