Jarrett Stidham, Najee Harris.jpg

Auburn's Jarrett Stidham, left, and Alabama's Najee Harris could be in for big seasons in 2017. (AL.com file photos by Julie Bennett, Vasha Hunt)

It's that time of year again, time for some bold (some would say foolish) SEC football predictions for 2017.

We did OK in this spot two years ago, but not so good last year. Maybe the third time will be the ... what's the word? ... end of this stupid idea.

At any rate, get ready to let the insults fly, or perhaps to nod in agreement. Here are five bold SEC football predictions for 2017:

1. There will be multiple coaches fired by season's end

Last year, we only saw one coach firing, Les Miles in mid-September. This year, we enter the season with at least four -- and maybe five -- coaches on the hot seat.

Tennessee's Butch Jones is hanging by a thread, and might have already been fired if the school didn't change ADs last year, too. Texas A&M's Kevin Sumlin has seen his team collapse three straight years in November, and might be starting a true freshman quarterback this year.

Arkansas' Bret Bielema saw his team take a major step back in Year 4, which is never a good sign. Ole Miss' Hugh Freeze appears to be at the mercy of whatever punishment the NCAA doles out against the Rebels (his team was also terrible last year).

And then there's Auburn's Gus Malzahn, whom I don't currently believe is in any trouble. But a fourth straight loss to Georgia and Alabama in November could change that.

2. Georgia will win the SEC East with a true freshman quarterback

Jacob Eason was solid-average as a true freshman quarterback in 2016, passing for 2,430 yards and 16 touchdowns. However, he's got another true freshman right on his heels in Jake Fromm.

I've been dismissive of the idea that Alabama freshman Tua Tagovailoa could push Jalen Hurts for playing time this season, so why do I think Fromm beats out Eason? Two reasons: (1) Fromm is from Georgia (Eason is from Washington), and will probably have the confidence and support of his teammates; and (2) He was hand-picked by Kirby Smart and his staff, where as Eason originally committed to the previous regime.

And yes, the Bulldogs will win the SEC East in Smart's second year. They've got tough road games at Tennessee and Auburn, but otherwise the schedule is manageable. They also got a big boost when four key players -- Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, Lorenzo Carter and Davin Bellamy -- elected to stay for their senior years rather than enter the NFL draft.

3. A freshman will lead Alabama in rushing

What, you thought I was going to pick against Alabama in the SEC West? Not a chance. The Crimson Tide will have to prove to me they're not championship material before I will predict such a calamity.

On the other hand, I feel safe in saying freshman Najee Harris will lead the team in rushing this season. Nick Saban has shown no qualms in putting a freshman into a key backfield role (witness Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson and T.J. Yeldon, among others).

People are projecting big things for Bo Scarbrough this season, but I'll believe he stays healthy all year when I see it. And no offense to Damien Harris and Joshua Jacobs, but Najee Harris is the most talented runner of the group and will force his way onto the field.

4. Jarrett Stidham will break Auburn's single-season passing yards record

I had to look up who holds the Auburn record in that category, and would not have guessed it was Dameyune Craig with 3,277 during the Tigers' 1997 SEC West championship run.

Should Stidham stay upright, he could very well obliterate that total. To surpass 3,277 in 12 regular-season games and a bowl game, Stidham would have to pass for a little more than 252 yards per game.

Stidham averaged 311 yards in three games as a freshman starter at Baylor two years ago. Yeah, I know, Big 12 defenses. But two of those games came against nationally ranked Oklahoma State and Oklahoma, so it's not like he was doing it against bums.

5. LSU will finish third, maybe fourth, in the SEC West

This sounds crazy on its face, and maybe it is. But consider the following:



(1) Thanks to last year's hurricane debacle, the Tigers play five SEC road games this season; (2) Ed Orgeron is now the full-time head coach, and exactly how many big games did he win last year?; (3) Arden Key's status remains unresolved; (4) LSU has to replace 8 starters on defense, and that's if Key comes back; (5) yes, new offensive coordinator Matt Canada was a great hire, but the Tigers lost their top two receivers and two best offensive linemen to the NFL.

So who finishes ahead of LSU in the SEC West? Alabama, obviously. And Auburn, too.

The third place team? I'm going with a surprise here and picking Mississippi State, which returns a dynamic quarterback in Nick Fitzgerald, an excellent offensive line and several playmakers on defense. Circle LSU at Mississippi State on Sept. 16 as a game to watch.

So what do you think? Am I right on, or have I lost my mind (again)?

I'll take your questions and comments on that or anything else on your mind beginning at 10 a.m.