Kirby Smart is the man to beat for SEC coach of the year.

But if Smart’s Bulldogs (7-0, 5-0) stumble before the College Football Playoff, or if voters are just desperate for a plucky underdog story, other candidates would come into play.

On this edition of “SEC Football Unfiltered,” a podcast from the USA TODAY Network, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams debate the top candidates who could threaten Smart for SEC coach of the year.

Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on SEC football news by subscribing to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe.

<a href="https://www.onlineathens.com/story/sports/college/bulldogs-extra/2021/10/14/georgia-football-kirby-smart-sec-coaches-pay-salaries/8455793002/" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.onlineathens.com/story/sports/college/bulldogs-extra/2021/10/14/georgia-football-kirby-smart-sec-coaches-pay-salaries/8455793002/">Kirby Smart</a> is the man to beat for SEC coach of the year.
But if Smart&rsquo;s Bulldogs (7-0, 5-0) stumble before the College Football Playoff, or if voters are just desperate for a plucky underdog story, other candidates would come into play.
On this edition of &ldquo;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sec-football-unfiltered/id1574375094" data-cke-saved-href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sec-football-unfiltered/id1574375094">SEC Football Unfiltered</a>,&rdquo; a podcast from the USA TODAY Network, hosts<a href="https://twitter.com/btoppmeyer" data-cke-saved-href="https://twitter.com/btoppmeyer"> Blake Toppmeyer </a>and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Carry-Like-You-Live-Memories/dp/1725971577" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.amazon.com/Carry-Like-You-Live-Memories/dp/1725971577">John Adams</a> debate the top candidates who could threaten Smart for SEC coach of the year.
Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on SEC football news by subscribing to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered

SEC coach of the year: Can Lane Kiffin or Mark Stoops beat Kirby Smart?

If Georgia is No. 1 in the SEC, then who's No. 2?

The media who cover the SEC will vote to predict the standings next week. The elimination of divisions adds intrigue to the vote. The Bulldogs likely will be picked to win the conference.

But, will the media go with newcomer Texas at No. 2? Or, maybe blue blood Alabama? Others like Ole Miss shouldn't be ignored, either.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams weigh in on who they expect to be No. 2 in the media's vote. They also offer how they're predicting the top five spots in the SEC standings. They agree on Georgia at No. 1, but then the debate gets interesting. Alabama barely makes their top-five cut.

Later in the episode, Toppmeyer shares insights from his recent interview with Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer, who is embracing lofty Year 1 expectations.

If Georgia is No. 1 in the SEC, then who's No. 2?
The media who cover the SEC will vote to predict the standings next week. The elimination of divisions adds intrigue to the vote. The Bulldogs likely will be picked to win the conference.
But, will the media go with newcomer Texas at No. 2? Or, maybe blue blood Alabama? Others like Ole Miss shouldn't be ignored, either.
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://x.com/btoppmeyer" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> and <a href="https://x.com/johnadamskns" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> weigh in on who they expect to be No. 2 in the media's vote. They also offer how they're predicting the top five spots in the SEC standings. They agree on Georgia at No. 1, but then the debate gets interesting. Alabama barely makes their top-five cut.
Later in the episode, Toppmeyer shares insights from his <a href="https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/sports/college/football/2024/07/09/kalen-deboer-cuss-alabama-football-coach-jalen-milroe-replaces-nick-saban/74265348007/" aria-label="Link recent interview with Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer">recent interview with Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer</a>, who is <a href="https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/sports/college/football/2024/07/09/alabama-football-predictions-kalen-deboer-replaces-nick-saban/74265347007/" aria-label="Link embracing lofty Year 1 expectations">embracing lofty Year 1 expectations</a>.

If Georgia football is No. 1 in the SEC, then who's No. 2? Maybe it's not Texas

The move that put the realignment carousel into motion three years ago finally is complete. Oklahoma and Texas are members of the SEC, and the nation's most powerful conference literally partied for days in celebration.

The realignment of this conference and these brands was enough to shake up college sports. This marks the third SEC expansion in the past four decades. Oklahoma and Texas are the SEC's best-ever expansion prize.

But, who's No. 1?

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams debate which of these two powers is the top plunder for the SEC. On this, they agree: Oklahoma and Texas outweigh any of the SEC's past additions, but they disagree whether the Sooners or Longhorns rank as the signature prize.

When the clock struck midnight on July 1, the SEC tweeted first to welcome Texas. Then, it welcomed Oklahoma. Also, the SEC Network visited Austin for a live broadcast before maneuvering to Norman a day later. Should we make anything of that? Is Texas the top add?

Perhaps not.

The move that <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2024/07/01/texas-oklahoma-sec-members-expectations/74267529007/">put the realignment carousel into motion three years ago finally is complete</a>. Oklahoma and Texas are members of the SEC, and the nation's most powerful conference <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2024/06/30/texas-oklahoma-sec-celebrations/74225019007/">literally partied for days in celebration</a>.
The realignment of this conference and these brands was enough to shake up college sports. This marks the third SEC expansion in the past four decades. <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/sec/2024/07/02/oklahoma-football-texas-longhorns-sec-alabama/74265340007/">Oklahoma and Texas</a> are the SEC's best-ever expansion prize.
But, who's No. 1?
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://x.com/btoppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> and <a href="https://x.com/johnadamskns">John Adams</a> debate which of these two powers is the top plunder for the SEC. On this, they agree: Oklahoma and Texas outweigh any of the SEC's past additions, but they disagree whether the Sooners or Longhorns rank as the signature prize.
When the clock struck midnight on July 1, the SEC tweeted first to welcome Texas. Then, it welcomed Oklahoma. Also, the SEC Network visited Austin for a live broadcast before maneuvering to Norman a day later. Should we make anything of that? Is Texas the top add?
Perhaps not.

As SEC adds Texas and Oklahoma, who's the bigger prize? Making the case for each

As a 16-team conference with Oklahoma and Texas on board, the SEC is an undeniable super league.

The SEC doesn't need to expand again. But, don't rule out the SEC wanting to, especially if the ACC fractures.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey says the conference is focused on its current membership, but he didn't entirely shut down the idea of further expansion, when asked directly.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams unpack Sankey's comments and why they might point toward the possibility of the SEC becoming interested in ACC members, if the ACC's media rights deal doesn't hold.

Florida State and Clemson are suing the ACC, amid an ongoing battle with the ACC's contract that has, thus far, glued its membership in place.

Toppmeyer and Adams offer differing opinions on which four ACC schools the SEC should target, should those schools become available.

Later in the episode, an examination of the College Football Hall of Fame candidacies of Mike Leach and Les Miles.

As a 16-team conference with Oklahoma and Texas on board, the SEC is an undeniable super league.
The SEC doesn't need to expand again. But, <a href="https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/SEC/2024/06/14/college-world-series-sec-baseball-unc-fsu-virginia-clemson/74041047007/" aria-label="Link don't rule out the SEC wanting to">don't rule out the SEC wanting to</a>, especially if the ACC fractures.
SEC Commissioner <a href="https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/SEC/2024/05/30/sec-realignment-expansion-acc-florida-state-clemson-north-carolina/73843496007/" aria-label="Link Greg Sankey says the conference is focused on its current membership, but he didn't entirely shut down the idea of further expansion">Greg Sankey says the conference is focused on its current membership, but he didn't entirely shut down the idea of further expansion</a>, when asked directly.
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://x.com/btoppmeyer" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> and <a href="https://x.com/johnadamskns" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> unpack Sankey's comments and why they might point toward the possibility of the SEC becoming interested in ACC members, if the ACC's media rights deal doesn't hold.
Florida State and Clemson are suing the ACC, amid an ongoing battle with the ACC's contract that has, thus far, glued its membership in place.
Toppmeyer and Adams offer differing opinions on which four ACC schools the SEC should target, should those schools become available.
Later in the episode, an examination of the College Football Hall of Fame candidacies of <a href="https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/mississippi-state/2024/06/13/mike-leach-college-football-hall-of-fame-mississippi-state-texas-tech-washington-state/74017268007/#:~:text=However%2C%20there%27s%20a%20rule%20hindering,Leach%20won%2059.6%25." aria-label="Link Mike Leach">Mike Leach</a> and <a href="https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/football/2024/06/17/les-miles-lsu-vacated-wins-lawsuit-college-football-hall-fame/74125031007/" aria-label="Link Les Miles">Les Miles</a>.

If SEC expands to 20 teams, consider these four ACC schools

SEC coach of the year: Can Lane Kiffin or Mark Stoops beat Kirby Smart?

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