SEC Football: Teams That Will Bounce Back from Down Seasons in 2013

It's safe to say the SEC has established itself as the deepest conference in all of college football.

Alabama, Florida, LSU, Georgia and Auburn have all bolstered that argument over the past decade, but there are a handful of teams in the conference who found themselves near the bottom this season.

With a new year of recruiting and offseason work, here are three teams that I think come back in 2013 with much improved seasons.

*All recruiting information via Scout.com

Auburn

Following a 3-9 season—including 0-8 in the conference—it can't get any worse for the Auburn Tigers next season.

The Tigers saw three quarterbacks attempt at least 60 passes, as the QBs combined for 15 interceptions and just seven touchdowns.

If it weren't for the efforts of running back Tre Mason (1,002 yards and eight touchdowns), Auburn would have really been in trouble.

Looking ahead to 2013, if the Tigers can establish a primary QB—whether it be Kiehl Frazier, Jonathan Wallace or Clint Moseley—it'll help the rhythm of the offense. 

With a running back like Mason, Auburn should be able to average more than 19 PPG and add a few more wins next season.

Sporting the No. 13 recruiting class in the nation and a new coach in Gus Malzahn, Auburn should be in for an improved 2013 season.

Ole Miss

It was an average season for Ole Miss Rebels, as they went 3-5 in the SEC and 6-6 overall on the season.

The Rebels will most likely see QB Bo Wallace enter the NFL draft, but the Rebels have four 4-star recruits, highlighted by QBs Devante Kincade and Ryan Buchanan, and RB Mark Dodson.

With Wallace probably leaving Mississippi, the Rebels not only need a quarterback, but also need help in the rushing department, as Wallace accounted for eight ground TDs.

Ole Miss has one of the better recruiting classes in the SEC, mostly stacking up on offense, as the Rebels ranked 46th in passing and 56th in rushing this season.

With a decent recruiting class set to hit campus in 2013, we should see the Rebels win more than three games in the SEC.

Mississippi State

Sporting the 12th-ranked recruiting class of 2013, the Mississippi State Bulldogs are poised for a better season next year.

According to Scout.com, the Bulldogs have six 4-star recruits, including QB Cord Sandberg and WR Corey Smith.

Miss. St. was 8-4 on the season, including 4-4 in the SEC, but with a solid recruiting class coming in, the Bulldogs will be an improved squad come 2013.

The Bulldogs started their season by rattling off seven straight wins before losing four of their last five, with three of the losses coming via ranked teams.

With Miss. St. largely lacking in the rushing department this season (No. 87 in the nation), 4-star recruit RB Kailo Moore should help bolster the Bulldogs offense in the near future.

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