The SEC has some lofty goals to meet in 2018.The conference last year not onlyput two teams in the College Football Playoff in Alabama and Georgia, but saw them compete for an all-SEC title game. It begs the question: Can anyone keep Nick Saban and Kirby Smart from meeting again this season?MORE: There are certainly teams capable of that: Auburn beat the Tide last year, and Mi si sippi State and Texas AM feature exciting new coaches in Joe Moorhead and Jimbo Fisher, respectively. In the East, South Carolina looks ready for a breakthrough in the East, Mookie Betts Jersey and Dan Mullen has Florida excited again after an abysmal 2017.Sporting News makes its predictions for the SEC in 2018. We have division winners, Heisman hopefuls, biggest games and a conference champion. A closer look:SEC West predictions1. Alabama2. Auburn3. LSU4. Mi si sippi State5. Texas AM6. Ole Mi s7. ArkansasWeve said it before and well say it again: Well believe someone can beat Alabama once it happens. The Tide must replace pretty much their entire secondary, but apart from LSU playtheir toughest competition at home, including Auburn. The offense features more top-to-bottom depth than ever, regardle s of who wins the quarterback position, and the front seven wont mi s a beat. It all points to another division title.SEC West X-Factor:Joe BurrowLSU in recent years has boasted a comparable team to Alabama in terms of depth and athleticism. The one thing holding the Tigers back? Subpar quarterback play. Enter Ohio State transfer , a perennialchallengerfor the Buckeyes' starting quarterback position. On paper, hes a significant upgrade who could be the difference-maker for the Tigers. Hell be introduced to conference play at Auburn on Sept. 15 a good test to see how headjusts to life in the SEC.SEC West sleeper: Mi si sippi StateThe Bulldogs went 9-4 in 2017, a season that saw an impre sive win against LSU and a near mi s vs. Alabama. Nick Fitzgerald is back under center and has a new playcaller with former Penn State offensive coordinator Moorhead as coach. Mi si sippi State also boasts three terrific defenders in defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, defensive end Montez Sweat and safety Mark McLaurin. Keep an eye out for that Week 5 matchup J.D. Martinez Jersey against Dan Mullen-led Florida.P5 PREDICTIONS: | | | SEC East predictions1. Georgia2. South Carolina3. Florida4. Mi souri5. Tenne see6. Kentucky7. VanderbiltThe Bulldogs easily have the Easts most talented roster in 2018, headlined by star players Jake Fromm, DAndre Swift and Riley Ridley on offense. Defensively, Deandre Baker will lead a group should continue to grow under Smart. Georgia must replace studs like Isaiah Wynn, Nick Chubb, Sony Michel and Roquan Smith, but supplement those lo ses with an all-time great . Look for the upward trajectory to continue in Athens this year.SEC East X-Factor: Deebo SamuelWe could just have easily gone with Gamecocks quarterback Jake Bentley, but Samuel could be the difference-maker South Carolina needs in 2018. The senior receiver has been much maligned by injuries, but hisincredible athleticism and versatility on offense and special teams allows him to break the game open at any time. If he can stay healthy in 2018, he offers Bentley an escape net and is a constant home run threat.SEC East sleeper: Mi souriThe Tigers openSEC play against Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama before finishing vs. Kentucky, at Florida, vs. Vanderbilt, at Tenne see and vs. Arkansas. If the Tigerswinthe games theyre supposed to andscore an upsetinconference play, they could challenge for a division title. Still, all that depends on the play ofquarterbackDrew Lock, who will be without offensive coordinator Josh Heupel.SN TOP 25: | | Biggest SEC gamesAuburn at Alabama (Nov. 24). The Iron Bowl could once decide what West team plays in the Tony Conigliaro Jersey SEC title game. Alabama wont have to deal with the hostile environment of Jordan-Hare this time, but the Tide will need to account for Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham much better than in 2017 and with a largely new defensive backs unit as well.Georgia at South Carolina (Sept. 8). The Gamecocks seem the best bet to challenge Georgia for SEC East supremacy, Chris Sale Jersey and couldnt ask for a better situation: They getthe Bulldogs, at home, early in the season. That scenario offers a lot of upset potential, even if Georgia will be favored at Williams-Brice Stadium. This is an opportunity for Will Muschamp to get his first statement win at South Carolina.Alabama at LSU (Nov. 3). Alabamas toughest road game of 2018 features an unknown in Ohio State transfer Burrow, the deafening confines of Tiger Stadium and Ed Orgeron, who knows the outcome of this game will affect the way he's judged at the end of the season. Expect that to show on the field in this pivotal SEC West showdown.MORE: SEC champion: AlabamaIt seems a foregone conclusion Alabama and Georgia will meet in the SEC championship game in the Georgia Dome. Its too early to call, but well default to Saban and Co, who get the benefit of the doubt because of their track record. The Tide return nearlyevery meaningful playmaker on offense, the front seven will be dominant again and the secondary will have Sabans watchful eye to balance out the lo s of talent.SEC Heisman hopefulsTua Tagovailoa, Alabama. Tagovailoa may be the most talented quarterback Saban has ever coached. Critics will say he hasn't won the job yet, or that his two quarters of play against Georgia arent enough to go on. But the hero of the national title game made head-turning plays all year long. His ability to stretch the field and drop dimes to receivers suggest hes the real deal.Jake Fromm, Georgia. Fromm last year was one game away from becoming the most beloved Georgia freshman since Herschel Walker. His 2,615 pa sing yards and 24 pa sing touchdowns indicate a command of the offense unheard of for a true freshman. Hell only get better with a year of experience under his belt and a talented supporting cast at running back and receiver.Nick Fitzgerald, Mi si sippi State. Fitzgerald might be the SEC's top dual-threat quarterbackin 2018. His fell off last year, but he should be able to put up video game numbers on the ground and through the airunder Moorhead, the architect of Penn State's high-flying offense the last two seasons. If Fitzgerald takes command of the offense and leads State to nine or 10 wins, he'll vie for a trip to New York.MORE: SEC coach on the hot seat: Ed Orgeron, LSUThis may be unfair to Orgeron, considering he went 9-4 in his first full season as coach last year. Blake Swihart Jersey But the Tigers once again finished in the middle of the SEC West, suffered an incomprehensible,inexcusable home lo s to Troy and limped out of the 20