The SEC, for the first time ever, went 16-0 in Week 1.
Of course, there weren’t many quality opponents. LSU’s beatdown of Clemson and Auburn and Ole Miss earning narrow escapes against Baylor and Louisville, respectively, were the most notable results of the weekend.
Still, we learned some things and had some questions answered. So it’s a good time to update our power rankings.
Here’s a look at where all 16 SEC teams stand as we prepare for Week 2:
16. Arkansas (1-0 overall, 0-0 in SEC)
- This week: 31-14 W vs. North Alabama
- Next week: at Utah
The Arkansas Razorbacks are going to get absolutely demolished by Utah in Salt Lake City this coming weekend if they don’t improve mightily. I didn’t like anything I saw from the Hogs in the first half on Saturday, and neither did coach Ryan Silverfield. A win is a win, but there won’t be many more if they keep playing like this.
15. Vanderbilt (1-0, 0-0)
- This week: 28-9 W vs. Austin Peay
- Next week: vs. Delaware
This wasn’t exactly an inspiring effort from Clark Lea and the Vanderbilt Commodores. I suspected that life after Diego Pavia would be difficult, but starting Blaze Berlowitz was a mistake. Give Jared Curtis the reps. He’s the future of the program.
14. Auburn (1-0, 0-0)
- This week: 17-16 W vs. Baylor (in Atlanta)
- Next week: vs. Southern Miss
I wrote in the Friday Forecast this past week that I’d consider it a red flag if the Auburn Tigers didn’t take down Baylor by multiple touchdowns. Frankly, if DJ Lagway puts the ball where it needs to be on the decisive 2-point conversion, Auburn is 0-1 right now. I’m out on Auburn. Alex Golesh has lots of work to do to be competitive in this league.
13. Mississippi State (1-0, 0-0)
- This week: 62-13 W vs. Louisiana-Monroe
- Next week: at Minnesota
Kamario Taylor is the real deal. He’s going to be one of the most fun players to watch all season long. Mississippi State has an interesting test in Week 2, though, heading north to face PJ Fleck’s Minnesota squad.
12. Kentucky (1-0, 0-0)
- This week: 45-13 W vs. Youngstown State
- Next week: vs. Alabama
The Will Stein era got off to a decent start on Saturday with a big win over Youngstown State. But now the real work begins for Kentucky. Alabama rolls into Lexington in Week 2 for the first SEC matchup of the season.
11. South Carolina (1-0, 0-0)
- This week: 57-0 W vs. Kent State
- Next week: vs. Towson
Beating Kent State is nothing to write home about, and neither is this upcoming matchup against Towson. But this stretch is all about rebuilding confidence in South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers. He did that on Saturday with 270 pass yards, 3 TDs and no interceptions. Donovan Murph also looks like a potential guy. He had 4 catches for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns. For a team that needs someone to step up alongside Nyck Harbor, that’s a great sign.
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10. Mizzou (1-0, 0-0)
- This week: 54-14 W vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff
- Next week: at Kansas
I didn’t love everything I saw from my alma mater on Thursday night. The Missouri Tigers had some trouble with the running game. Even without Ahmad Hardy on the field, they should have run all over UAPB. The 14 points allowed also weren’t all during garbage time, so Eli Drinkwitz has some work to do on both sides of the ball before a big-time rivalry game against Kansas on Friday night.
9. Tennessee (1-0, 0-0)
- This week: 56-9 W vs. Furman
- Next week: at Georgia Tech
What a debut for Faizon Brandon! The true freshman was as-advertised, throwing for 226 yards and 3 touchdowns while adding 68 yards and 2 scores as a runner. Will he put up those same numbers at Georgia Tech in Week 2? Probably not, but he’s shown he can make this Tennessee squad a legitimate threat in 2026.
8. Florida (1-0, 0-0)
- This week: 66-21 W vs. Florida Atlantic
- Next week: vs. Campbell
Run the Baugh! Florida RB Jadan Baugh made a statement in Week 1, running 14 times for 160 yards and 3 touchdowns. Aaron Philo looked solid, throwing for 3 scores and 1 interception. Vernell Brown III made some incredible catches. I do have some questions about the defense, though. That’ll need to get ironed out before the Gators head to Auburn in Week 3.
7. Ole Miss (1-0, 0-0)
- This week: 41-38 W vs. Louisville (in Nashville)
- Next week: vs. Charlotte
If Ole Miss plays the way it did in Nashville, it’s going to lose the massive Week 3 showdown at home against LSU. I’m also a bit concerned about RB Kewan Lacy being banged up already. Trinidad Chambliss is amazing, as always, but there’s plenty of work for Pete Golding to do in the next week-plus ahead of the LSU contest.
6. Alabama (1-0, 0-0)
- This week: 48-10 W vs. East Carolina
- Next week: at Kentucky
Keelon Russell looked great in his Alabama debut. The offensive line and running game showed signs of life, too, albeit against an inferior opponent. The Tide head to Lexington to start SEC play on Saturday, so we’ll see if that momentum carries into that game.
5. Texas A&M (1-0, 0-0)
- This week: 50-0 W vs. Missouri State
- Next week: vs. Arizona State
Texas A&M picked up a workmanlike 50-point shutout in Week 1. The Aggies didn’t have any interceptions, only recorded 1 sack and only recovered 1 fumble on defense. They just completely stifled the Missouri State offense. That’s a good sign for a unit with some new faces in key places. Now an intriguing test against Arizona State awaits in Week 2.
4. Oklahoma (1-0, 0-0)
- This week: 51-0 W vs. UTEP
- Next week: at Michigan
The Oklahoma Sooners looked every bit like a Playoff contender on Friday night in a shutout win over UTEP. And all of a sudden, a trip to Ann Arbor in Week 2 doesn’t seem as daunting. That’s a big chance for Brent Venables and company to make a massive statement.
3. Georgia (1-0, 0-0)
- This week: 63-3 W vs. Tennessee State
- Next week: vs. Western Kentucky
The Georgia Bulldogs just keep humming along. I want to see them play someone with a pulse before I move them up in these rankings, but Kirby Smart and company once again look like Playoff and SEC title contenders. Gunner Stockton looked good, completing 15 of his 16 passes for 202 yards and 3 touchdowns, but I’m still waiting for a go-to receiver to emerge.
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2. Texas (1-0, 0-0)
- This week: 59-7 W vs. Texas State
- Next week: vs. Ohio State
First test passed for Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns. He got his 2026 Heisman Trophy campaign off to a great start. Having Cam Coleman around unlocked Ryan Wingo. The defense looked solid. This team should have plenty of confidence heading into a showdown with No. 1 Ohio State in Week 2.
1. LSU (1-0, 0-0)
- This week: 51-10 W vs. Clemson
- Next week: vs. Louisiana Tech
I’ve been high on the LSU Tigers ever since they hired Lane Kiffin. I had them at No. 3 in my preseason power rankings. I’m doing it. I’ve seen what I need to see. This is the best team in the SEC. As long as Sam Leavitt is healthy, I don’t see many teams that’ll be able to stop the Tigers. Clemson is a decent (not great, but decent) team, and LSU embarrassed Dabo Swinney and company. Ole Miss will need to be careful when LSU comes to town in Week 3.
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Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
