With a good amount of star power graduating or leaving for the NFL draft, the 2014 SEC will look a little bit different. This is a conference that will enter the new year without a defending national champion for the first time in eight years, so that means there are plenty of teams who feel like they can contend for the conference title. While some of the league’s brightest stars are shining in one day fantasy leagues at the NFL level, the beat goes on in the country’s toughest conference. Here is a look at the top contenders.

SEC WEST

Auburn

They came up just short against Florida State in the National Championship, but Auburn looks to be poised as one of the best teams in the country next season. They return a ton of talent, but they will need to find some strong runners to complement the play of quarterback Nick Marshall. On defense, they will have to be better. They allowed close to 30 points per game in the SEC a season ago, so getting stops will be important if they want to win the SEC yet again.

Alabama

Losing AJ McCarron certainly hurts, but Alabama is always able to reload. New offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin will decide on a quarterback this spring more than likely, and the team will hit the ground running in the fall. They will have more than enough running backs to handle the ground game, and defensively they should be among the best in the nation. Alabama and Auburn are pretty neck and neck right now, so Auburn gets the nod since they won the most recent head-to-head meeting.

SEC EAST

Georgia

LSU might be the better team right now, but Georgia has an easier path to the conference championship since they are in the East Division. Hutson Mason was able to showcase his skills late last season when Aaron Murray injured his knee. That experience should help him feel comfortable all season long. South Carolina and Missouri will also be contenders in the East, but a young defense in 2013 for Georgia should be more mature in 2014, leading the Bulldogs to the divisional crown.

South Carolina

Steve Spurrier has had some good seasons at South Carolina, but the team has never been able to win that elusive SEC Championship. The 2014 season will provide plenty of challenges for the Gamecocks. Their 16^th ranked defense in 2013 will have to overcome the loss of Top-5 Draft prospect Jadeveon Clowney, and the offense will need to put up points under Senior QB Dylan Thompson. Luckily for Thompson, RB Mike Davis has a chance to be in the Heisman conversation and should lead the offensive attack. Look for some tough road games vs. Auburn, Florida, and Clemson to decide the Gamecocks’ 2014 season.