3 Underdogs That Can Win the SEC in 2023

There is no circuit of amateur athletics quite like football in the modern Southeastern Conference.

Showcasing an overwhelming number of national champions on the gridiron through the current era (and all-time), SEC play is likely the closest comparison to NFL action -- it is fast, it is physical, it is elite and it is saturated with future Sunday stars.

This campaign is the last one before the SEC inherits Texas and Oklahoma.

SEC football might not strike you as a place where underdogs have much of a chance, but that may depend on your definition of "underdog." Historically a national powerhouse, LSU could perhaps fit into that category this season.

Let's cycle through some underdogs that may stand a chance to win the 2023 SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium -- home of the Atlanta Falcons.

Here are the SEC conference championship odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

*Denotes 2022 SEC Championship Game participant

LSU Tigers

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +460

It was just four seasons ago that LSU had -- arguably -- the most talented college football team of all-time, with players like Joe Burrow, Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase and Derek Stingley Jr.. They have obviously all moved on, as has coach Ed Orgeron, and it is officially the Brian Kelly era at LSU.

In Kelly's first season as head coach of the Fighting Tigers, they played to a 10-4 record (6-2 in-conference). In terms of the SEC West play, they lost only once, which was against a quality Texas A&M team in College Station.

LSU has not won the SEC Championship Game since the aforementioned national title year (2019). In 2023, quarterback Jayden Daniels will lead the offense for a second campaign. Last season, the dual-threat signal-caller played to a 77.5 QBR for the Tigers. Daniels will also have the benefit of protection from the eighth-best offensive line in the country, according to Pro Football Focus. Perhaps there is a path to the SEC title for LSU this year.

Texas A&M Aggies

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +1300

Per PFF, Texas A&M is another institution boasting a top-10 offensive line (No. 8) entering this season. Behind maulers like Trey Zuhn III, Layden Robinson and Kam Dewberry, the O-Line unit is young, strong, and possibly good enough to bring A&M their first SEC football championship in school history (having joined the conference in 2012).

Last year, head coach Jimbo Fisher coached the Aggies to a 5-7 record, which is his worst mark since arriving in College Station. Quarterback Conner Weigman heads into the season as the starter for A&M. In spot work in 2022 (five games), Weigman tossed eight touchdowns without an interception.

On the outside, the Aggies have speed. Their receiving corps features gifted playmakers in Evan Stewart and Moose Muhammed III. If Weigman can develop a rapport with his weapons early on, Texas A&M could be a force in 2023. Their first test comes in Week 2 against the Miami Hurricanes in Coral Gables.

Tennessee Volunteers

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +1900

Despite losing 2022 SEC Offensive Player of the Year Hendon Hooker to the NFL Draft, the Volunteers still have multiple talented options at quarterback. In line to be Tennessee's starting signal-caller in 2023 is 6-foot-6 Joe Milton III, who has high-end athletic skills. Behind Milton is another quality player: Nico Iamaleava.

Head coach Josh Heupel is beginning his third season leading the Vols. Last year, Tennessee's 11-2 record was its best in more than a decade and was eventually capped by a statement win at the Orange Bowl versus Clemson. On that day, star receiver Bru McCoy -- who is returning to Knoxville in 2023 -- snagged a pivotal touchdown.

Considering the Volunteers play in the less daunting SEC East, they have a shot to make some noise in the upcoming season, although Georgia is expected to be a force once more. According to ESPN's College Football Power Index (FPI), Tennessee has a rating of 15.2 -- 12th-best in the country. For comparison, LSU (22.1) is the next-ranked SEC team ahead of the Vols.

Longer Shots

Ole Miss Rebels +5000

While on the topic of ESPN's FPI, the Rebels are actually rated quite highly (13.4 -- 16th overall) for a school so far down on its conference board. Despite showing much longer odds to win the conference this year compared to Texas A&M (50/1 odds versus 13/1 on FanDuel Sportsbook), Ole Miss is ranked three spots higher than the Aggies by FPI. Of course, head coach Lane Kiffin's spread offense always warrants some respect.

Mississippi will start its 2023 football season against Mercer before opening conference play versus Alabama three weeks later. The Rebels have talent amongst their ranks, but they are also scheduled to play reigning two-time national champion Georgia this year in a cross-division matchup. If they can beat 'Bama in Week 4, Ole Miss has a chance to shock the conference by the season's conclusion, possibly winning their first SEC football championship since the beginning of the Lyndon B. Johnson administration.

Auburn Tigers +6000

War Eagle is still looking to return to the top of the SEC mountain, as they have not won a football conference title since 2013 (though they last appeared in the 2017 SEC Conference Championship Game, losing to Georgia). Additionally, Auburn is turning the program over to Hugh Freeze in the coming year -- after two losing seasons with Bryan Harsin as head coach.

Auburn will showcase one of the SEC's most interesting quarterback battles over the next few weeks. They return last season's starter in Robby Ashford, but they also brought in Payton Thorne from Michigan State to compete for the job. Over the past two years for Sparty, Thorne totaled 46 passing touchdowns behind an average completion percentage of 61.5%.

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.