In two days, the 2015 college football season kicks off, so it’s time for final preseason Southeastern Conference power rankings.

Basically, these fall in line with the predictions made at SEC Media Days in July, with one exception.

1. Auburn

The Tigers should have one of the best offenses in the country and there are tangible reasons to believe that the defense will improve this year under new coordinator Will Muschamp. Auburn is a popular pick (including here) to win the SEC and advance to the college football playoff this season.

2. Alabama

The Tide has the best front seven in the country and very likely will have the best overall defenses (or one of them). Bama is loaded on that side of the ball. On offense, there are some question marks at quarterback and receiver, but a powerful running game and strong offensive line means that the Tide will be able to move it.

3. Arkansas

Despite losing running back Jonathan Williams, the Razorbacks, because of their offensive line, Alex Collins and what figures to again be a good defense, are a legitimate contender in the SEC West. This will be a tough, physical team and a difficult match-up for anyone that plays them.

4. LSU

This goes against the original prediction of the Tigers finishing No. 6 in the SEC West. There are two reasons- one major and one minor- for LSU to be here. The major reason is that Brandon Harris, who has the talent and potential to be one of the most dynamic playmakers in the league, took the starting quarterback job and is a huge upgrade over Anthony Jennings. The second- defensive line coach Ed Orgeron may have found some help rushing the passer in the form of true freshman Arden Key.

5. Ole Miss

The Rebels have excellent talent on both sides of the ball, particularly on defense, as the recruiting of Hugh Freeze is starting to mature. If Chad Kelly or whoever ultimately is the season starter can be a difference-maker at quarterback and Laquon Treadwell returns to form, this could be a special season in Oxford.

6. Tennessee

The talent that Butch Jones has amassed in Knoxville on the recruiting trail is about to pay off. The Vols, who are the pick here in the SEC East, have two difference-makers at running back in Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara, one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Joshua Dobbs and plenty of talent at receiver. Defensively, there are playmakers in the pass rushing department and though the talent is young overall on the defensive line, it still could be one of the best units in the league.

7. Georgia

The Bulldogs have a stable of running backs, including Nick Chubb who is one of the best in the country, and a veteran offensive line. Greyson Lambert, a Virginia transfer, is the starting quarterback and if he can avoid turnovers, then UGA will be good on offense. The Bulldogs defense has talent and will be better this year, but is a year away from being dominant. UGA may very well be a year away from being a national title contender.

8. Texas A&Mâ€¨

â€¨The sleeper pick in the SEC West, the Aggies are loaded with skill talent on offense, including starting quarterback Kyle Allen who should put up big numbers. The question is the defense, which should improve this season under first-year coordinator John Chavis. Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall could be a special tandem at defensive end. Watch this team this year.

9. Missouri

â€¨â€¨The Tigers are the back-to-back SEC East champions, but lost a lot of key personnel on defense following last season. The prevailing thought is that Mizzou will simply reload and again be stellar on that side of the ball and on offense, quarterback Maty Mauk and running back Russell Hansbrough return. No. 3 in the SEC East is a fair pick for Missouri, though they could be better or could be much worse.

10. Mississippi State

The Bulldogs are replacing a lot of personnel off of last year’s Orange Bowl team, but quarterback Dak Prescott returns and that’s enough reason for optimism in Starkville. Dan Mullen in his staff have recruited quite well and this is a talented roster, but the SEC West is brutal and it may take an adjustment year for the Bulldogs to get back in contention. A win against LSU the second week of the season could mean no drop-off.

11. South Carolina

The Gamecocks are the sleeper team in the SEC East simply because nobody knows what to expect. South Carolina could finish anywhere between 4-8 and 10-2 this year. New defensive coordinator Jon Hoke’s unit has had a great offseason and preseason, but they have to go play. New quarterback Connor Mitch is capable, but he’s only thrown six passes in his collegiate career.

12. Florida

The Gators have enough personnel on defense- good personnel- to keep them in most games this season. It’s the offense that has the question marks. Will Grier and Treon Harris both will see time at quarterback in the opener. Chances are, Florida will show constant improvement and surprise some people this year under first-year head coach Jim McElwain, but that’s not a given.

13. Kentucky

We will know if the Wildcats can ascend from this spot rather quickly. Kentucky plays South Carolina, Florida and Missouri in consecutive weeks in September. If quarterback Patrick Towles can lead UK to wins in those, then suddenly Mark Stoops’ team is an instant contender, if not a frontrunner in the SEC East. This team is a bowl team on paper. As is often the case in the SEC, though, it’s finding enough wins.

14. Vanderbilt

A win against Western Kentucky on Thursday night in Nashville would be a huge step in the right direction for Commodores head coach Derek Mason in his second season. A loss would not be a very welcomed development. A blowout loss- such as a 37-7 loss to Temple in last season’s opener- would be about as catastrophic as season opening losses go. There’s talent here, not a load of it, but enough to surprise some people if some momentum can be gained.