Greg McElroy ditches major SEC program while naming his frontrunners to win conference championship, it's not Billy Napier's Florida

With the weeks ticking off until the SEC makes a return, college football analyst Greg McElroy has given his list of who he thinks will go well in the conference this year. However, on this list, he missed out on a potential contender.

The Ole Miss Rebels.

After last year's 11-win season (mostly thanks to the new potential franchise quarterback for the New York Giants, Jaxson Dart), Lane Kiffin's side looked poised for another strong finish. However, McElroy disagrees.

In his reasoning for leaving the Rebels out, McElroy said the following:

"I just look at their schedule and think at Georgia, Florida at home, South Carolina, their schedule sets up OK. You know what I mean? Some of their tougher games are going to be at home."

Ole Miss's schedule is something that McElroy thinks is going to be a reason why they are not going to be contenders this year. Compared to other SEC programs, the Rebels avoid tougher opponents like Texas and Alabama, making their path less challenging.

However, this easier schedule will not help the team in the AP Poll, as wins against top-tier opponents are the key to earning a higher ranking.

Additionally, the Rebels' schedule is unique in the fact that the numerous non-conference games (where Tulane is likely the toughest test) are played throughout the season instead of in a block to start.

This will have a massive impact on the team's momentum, as they may struggle to adjust to top-tier SEC competition after a likely blowout in a non-conference game.

Add in the fact that most of the key players who led Ole Miss to their success last season (Jaxson Dart, Walter Nolan) have left for the NFL, and one can see why McElroy does not have a lot of faith in the Rebels this season.

Which teams did Greg McElroy predict to do well in the SEC this year?

Greg McElroy named the top eight teams that he thinks are going to have a chance to win the SEC this year, excluding Ole Miss.

These include the obvious powerhouses of Texas, Georgia and Alabama, all of whom should be involved in a battle for the top spot. One could also add LSU to the mix due to star quarterback Garrett Nussmeier.

McElroy also mentioned the South Carolina Gamecocks (who with LaNorris Sellers could make the College Football Playoff this year), the Texas A&M Aggies as well as the Auburn Tigers (who need to have a strong season after years of poor performance) and Tennessee Volunteers, who will be playing without Nico Iamaleava after his controversial exit out of the program.