SEC Football 2012: Power Ranking Next Year's Top 5 Teams

Not much is going to appear to change in the next year as to the top contenders in the SEC are here to stay. There may be some contenders that will appear from the East next season like Georgia or Tennessee but right now, the West has become so powerful that the remainder of the conference seems to be just a step behind.

The SEC is undoubtedly the cream of the crop when it comes to conferences in the country and there are at least five teams that can find their way to the top of the college football landscape each season. Looking forward to the 2012 season, here are the five teams that have a shot at staying in the conference and nations elite. 

5: Florida Gators

Florida was supposed to be a year away from a special season under Will Muschamp. The Gators started the season extremely strong but fell short against Alabama this past week. The Gators still managed to make it inside the top 15 nationally and remain at No. 17.

The Gators are in a reprogramming mode with the coaching change that came this past season. Muschamp will have his ways and systems better implemented his second year and will have the wealth of talent needed to perform at a high level.

The Gators may be on the verge of an Auburn 2010 performance in 2012 as they may not be the favorite but the talent mixed with the coaching could produce excellent results. Despite the suspected rise of Georgia and Tennessee in the future, Florida is still the leader of the pack in the SEC East.

4: Arkansas Razorbacks

Arkansas lost a major player this season when Ryan Mallett departed to the NFL. So far, the Hogs haven’t missed a beat with Tyler Wilson at the helm. Wilson will be a major player returning next season and the Hogs return a wealth of skill talent and all of their running backs.

Arkansas will also hope to have another year of improved defense under their belt. The expectations for the Arkansas defense were much higher this season than what has occurred so far but the Hogs could put it all together by next season.

Arkansas will be among the nation’s elite offenses next year and will hope to continue to develop the defense. Arkansas is not going away with Bobby Petrino at the head. They are likely to continue to get stronger and set themselves apart in an already elite conference.

3: Auburn Tigers

Auburn is a young team this season, so young that more than 70 percent of their scholarship roster is sophomores or younger. What this means for Auburn is that next season this team should be extremely dangerous.

When you look at Auburn’s success so far this season a lot has come with a little luck and a lot of tenacity. Auburn has signed some elite recruiting classes in the past few years and is headed toward another top 10 haul.

If Gene Chizik can continue to keep this coaching staff together, this team will be one of the best in the conference and should start the season among the top 10 in the country. Auburn will have the talent and how it develops the remainder of this season will go a long way in determining the preseason value for the Tigers.

2: LSU Tigers

LSU is consistently one of the most talented teams in the country year after year. 2012 will be no different, as the Tigers defense may actually get better next year with the experience they are earning mauling offenses this season.

LSU will have a big question at quarterback next season but if they can determine who will take snaps the Tigers may be unbeatable. LSU will run the football and they will play fast, tough defense. That won’t change anytime soon.

Depending on how this season finishes, LSU will likely start the season in the top five next season. Not only will they contend in the SEC, but they will be an early favorite for the national title game.

1: Alabama Crimson Tide

This option has become a no-brainer. The Crimson Tide had some down years for a while but since the arrival of Nick Saban, Alabama has been extremely dangerous. They constantly recruit elite talent and the Tide produces results on the field.

Alabama is one of the country's elite currently and will stay that way going into next season. The Tide returns their starting quarterback and at least one of their premier feature backs in Lacy and Richardson. Lacy is a sophomore and Richardson a junior but most expect Richardson to jump to the pros after this season.

Alabama will also have the majority of its defense back next season and will return a wealth of skill position talent. Look for the Tide to start the 2012 season much as they have the past three, in the title talk.