ESPN has finalized its preseason power rankings for the 2026 college football season.
The updated rankings include 4 SEC programs in the top 10 and 9 in the top 25 overall. Georgia is the highest-ranked SEC team in ESPN’s estimation, landing at No. 2 overall.
Here’s ESPN’s analysis on the Bulldogs via Mark Schlabach:
With the Bulldogs following SEC titles with quarterfinal exits in the CFP the past two seasons, coach Kirby Smart’s team might be flying under the radar. Quarterback Gunner Stockton should be better in his second season as a starter, and the Bulldogs have tons of star power on defense. But can they generate a disruptive pass rush? Georgia ranked last in the SEC in sacks with 20 in 2025. Linebackers Chris Cole, Chase Linton and Quintavius Johnson are three names to know.
Texas and LSU were the other SEC teams to make ESPN’s top 10. Here’s the complete list of SEC programs in the top 25:
- No. 2 Georgia
- No. 5 Texas
- No. 10 LSU
- No. 11 Texas A&M
- No. 13 Ole Miss
- No. 14 Oklahoma
- No. 16 Alabama
The AP Top 25, which was released earlier this week, also had Tennessee and Mizzou make the cut, but ESPN’s power rankings don’t include the Vols or the Tigers — for now at least.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
