<
>

Filling out our fictional 2016 SEC tournament bracket

Leonard Fournette hasn't had much luck against Alabama -- might his luck change facing the Tide in a tournament setting? Derick E. Hingle/USA TODAY Sports

After Florida's season came to an end at the hands of Georgia Washington in Wednesday night's NIT game, Texas A&M remains the last SEC men's basketball team alive in the postseason.

Not to fear, SEC fanatics, we've got you covered with our own spring football bracket.

We've done this before, so you know the rules. These teams are based off spring rosters, seedings reflect our last batch of power rankings, we'll have a first-round bye for our top two seeds and we'll use different sites throughout the Southeast to play each of our games. As usually, the championship will end up in Atlanta -- where it belongs.

Seeds:

1. Alabama

2. LSU

3. Ole Miss

4. Tennessee

5. Georgia

6. Arkansas

7. Florida

8. Auburn

9. Texas A&M

10. Mississippi State

11. Kentucky

12. South Carolina

13. Missouri

14. Vanderbilt

FIRST ROUND

In Orlando, Florida

No. 3 Ole Miss vs. No. 14 Vanderbilt: The Rebels' new offensive line has a tough time against Vandy's front seven early, but Chad Kelly is still deadly with his feet. When he's able to break free of pressure, he finds tight end Evan Engram and receiver DaMarkus Lodge for early touchdowns. Ole Miss' speed and athleticism is just too much for a Commodores team still trying to find its offensive legs. Ole Miss 31-10

No. 6 Arkansas vs. No. 11 Kentucky: Arkansas might be breaking in a new quarterback and running backs, but offensive coordinator Dan Enos will know exactly how to get Austin Allen's arm working against a Kentucky defense with so many new faces in its front seven. Stanley "Boom" Williams will make some plays against Arkansas' front, but a late Drew Barker interception will keep the Hogs away from the early upset. Arkansas 27-17

In Houston

No. 4 Tennessee vs. No. 13 Missouri: This was an ugly offensive(less) game last season in bitterly cold Columbia, but the rushing trifecta of quarterback Joshua Dobbs, Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara will wear down Mizzou's front, and Dobbs starts to make more and more plays on the secondary to cruise to a big win. Tennessee 30-13

No. 5 Georgia vs. No. 12 South Carolina: Beware of the 12-5 upset! We saw two during the NCAA tournament, buuuut not here. While Georgia has more than a few questions on both sides of the ball, South Carolina is just too deficient at offensive line, wide receiver and defensive line to pull the upset. Georgia 24-10

In Kansas City, Missouri

No. 7 Florida vs. No. 10 Mississippi State: The chalk continues as Jim McElwain finally gets a somewhat efficient passing game going. Luke Del Rio won't light up the stat sheet, but a careful game plan will make sure he gets quick, short passes out and a game-winner over the top to freshman Freddie Swain for a last-minute touchdown. Florida 24-17

No. 8 Auburn vs. No. 9 Texas A&M: In our first upset of the tournament, Trevor Knight powers A&M's new-look, up-tempo offense against what will actually be a better Auburn defense. Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams will gobble up the running game, but the slippery Knight will make too many plays in the fourth before Myles Garrett's game-sealing strip sack. Texas A&M 31-23

SECOND ROUND

In Jacksonville, Florida

No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 9 Texas A&M: Nick Saban is yet again breaking in a new quarterback. Cooper Bateman starts this one, but after early turnovers, Blake Barnett relieves him for some big second-half touchdowns. Knight's mobility continues to fluster Saban, but an Eddie Jackson pick-six to start the fourth helps Alabama cruise to a 14-point victory. Alabama 27-13

In Arlington, Texas

No. 2 LSU vs. No. 7 Florida: This game went down to the wire in Baton Rouge last season, and this round won't disappoint, either. Tigers QB Brandon Harris won't have a ton of room to move around, but receiver Malachi Dupre's matchup with Florida DB Jalen Tabor will be one for the ages. Leonard Fournette proves to be too much for the Gators' defense, as a touchdown with less than a minute left seals it for the Tigers. LSU 27-23

In Charlotte, North Carolina

No. 3 Ole Miss vs. No. 6 Arkansas: The Rebels are the better team in this one, and Kelly will have early success against Arkansas' defense. However, the breakout player is Arkansas running back Kody Walker. With Rawleigh Williams still out after neck surgery, Walker makes play after play through the middle to wear down Ole Miss' defense and help the Hogs pull the second-round upset. Arkansas 23-20

In Nashville, Tennessee

No. 4. Tennessee vs. No. 5 Georgia: With Georgia running back Nick Chubb out, new Tennessee defensive coordinator Bob Shoop brings the heat and brings it often. Greyson Lambert, overwhelmed by constant blitzing, is benched for freshman Jacob Eason. He makes a couple of plays, but his two fourth-quarter interceptions send the Dawgs home. Tennessee 27-17

FINAL FOUR

In New Orleans

No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 6 Arkansas: With Barnett now the guy, Tide offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin sets him free so he can let it rip. Calvin Ridley starts the first quarter off with a big 45-yard touchdown catch and Bo Scarbrough puts Alabama up by two scores with a tough 10-yard run to close the half. Allen will bring the Hogs back in the third, but a rumbling 30-yard touchdown run by Scarbrough seals it. Alabama 31-20

In Miami

No. 2 LSU vs. No. 4 Tennessee: Shoop's defense swarms Harris early, but a little read-option keeps that defense honest. Fournette softens the middle of that line for two first-half touchdowns, but Dobbs gets Tennessee moving with his own big runs. Fournette keeps pace in the second half, but it's LSU's defense that comes up big with a Jamal Adams interception and a late fourth-down stop to send the Tigers to Atlanta. LSU 24-20

SEC CHAMPIONSHIP

No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 2 LSU: It's the game everyone wanted and it'll live up to its billing. A more comfortable, zone-read-running Harris catches Alabama's defense off guard, while Fournette makes his previous performance against Alabama a distant memory with a 100-yard effort. Not to be outdone, Scarbrough hits 120 yards and two touchdowns, while Barnett and Ridley link up for 97 huge yards against the Tigers. But LSU's defense gets the last laugh with Tre'Davious White knocking down Barnett's fourth-down pass on LSU's side with under a minute left. LSU 23-21