The SEC football season officially kicks off on Thursday, Aug. 28, when the Mizzou Tigers host Central Arkansas. Then we get Auburn-Baylor on Friday night, South Carolina-Virginia Tech on Sunday and a full slate of games on Saturday.
Soon, we’ll have plenty to overreact to for every SEC squad, but prior to kickoff is a great time to evaluate where things stand across the conference.
Who should be elite this year? Who is using 2025 to rebuild?
Here’s a look at my preseason SEC power rankings as we prepare for a beautiful Week 1 schedule:
16. Kentucky
The Wildcats officially named Zach Calzada as their starting quarterback this week. I think he’ll struggle in his third stop in the SEC. Also, the Wildcats host Toledo in Week 1. That’s not an easy game by any means, just ask Mississippi State. The Kentucky offense doesn’t impress me at all. We’ll see if Mark Stoops can prove me wrong.
15. Mississippi State
As long as QB Blake Shapen is healthy, this offense under Jeff Lebby is going to be legit. The defense is full of holes, but the offense should at least be able to hang in most games. Mississippi State also has an underrated backfield duo in Fluff Bothwell and Davon Booth.
14. Arkansas
I love Taylen Green. He’s one of the most exciting players to watch in the entire SEC. I don’t love this defense. And I don’t love the schedule Arkansas faces this fall. The schedule makers clearly hate the Hogs. This could be a long year for Sam Pittman and company.
13. Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt isn’t going to sneak up on anyone like it did last year. I think Diego Pavia can take a step forward as a passer, especially since star TE Eli Stowers returned to school. There are some quality pieces on the defense, but I don’t know that the Commodores have enough depth to make a push for a bowl game again this fall.
12. Auburn
Hugh Freeze has to get the quarterback position right. Is Jackson Arnold the guy? I don’t know, but I do know that Auburn has a dynamic receiving duo to throw to in Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton Jr. On defense, Keldric Faulk is a future first-round NFL Draft pick. The pieces are there. Can Freeze and company avoid the constant mistakes that plagued them in 2024?
11. Tennessee
I’m concerned about the Vols’ offense. Joey Aguilar didn’t have a full offseason in the program. The wide receiver room is banged up in a big way. It’s going to be tough to replace Dylan Sampson. Tennessee will still have a great defense under Tim Banks, but it’s fair to wonder if this will be the worst Josh Heupel offense we’ve seen on Rocky Top.
10. Mizzou
Do I love that my alma mater hasn’t named a starting quarterback yet and will play 2 QBs on Thursday? No, I don’t. But Eli Drinkwitz has earned the right to make decisions like this. He’s won 10+ games in back-to-back seasons, after all. Mizzou has a manageable schedule and talent on both sides of the ball. If Beau Pribula or Sam Horn take off, the Tigers will finish the year ranked much higher than No. 10. If they both struggle, Mizzou could crater. We’ll see!
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9. Oklahoma
I don’t love that Oklahoma placed Cal transfer RB Jaydn Ott in a tie for third on its RB depth chart entering Week 1. Say what you want about him needing to earn it after battling through injuries this summer, but why bring him in at all if you aren’t going to play him? Brent Venables might be needlessly playing with fire there. However, this defense is one of the best in the SEC and that by itself warrants the No. 9 spot.
8. South Carolina
The Gamecocks have their RB1! Rahsul Faison (finally) got his extra year of eligibility from the NCAA, so he’ll be on the field on Sunday against Virginia Tech. That’s huge news for South Carolina, as the Gamecocks need to build out their weapons around elite QB LaNorris Sellers. Faison will be a big boost to the offense this fall.
7. Florida
Much like I mentioned with Mizzou, Florida could either finish much higher or much lower than No. 7 when all is said and done. It all comes down to the health of QB DJ Lagway. Coach Billy Napier has done a great job building strength in both trenches. The Gators’ run game and defense should be solid, thanks to strong defensive and offensive lines. Lagway is the X-factor. If he’s healthy all year, this team can do special things. If he’s hurt again like he was last year, things could get ugly in a hurry.
6. Texas A&M
If Le’Veon Moss is healthy, Texas A&M has one of the scariest running games in the entire country. Moss, Rueben Owens and Amari Daniels form quite the trio, and that’s before you add QB Marcel Reed to the mix. If Reed makes even a marginal improvement as a passer, the Aggies will be very strong offensively. I trust Mike Elko to get the defense trending in the right direction in Year 2, also.
5. Ole Miss
I think Austin Simmons will finish in the top 10 of the Heisman Trophy voting this year. He’s been in Lane Kiffin‘s system for multiple years now. That’s going to be a huge benefit starting in Week 1 for the Ole Miss quarterback. This offense is going to provide Simmons with plenty of opportunities to throw, and I believe the Rebels will be in Playoff contention in November.
4. Georgia
If I had to bet on Georgia winning over or under 0.5 more national championships under coach Kirby Smart, I’m hammering the over. I just don’t think it’ll be this year. The defense needs a year to reload. The offensive line needs time to jell. QB Gunner Stockton probably won’t be elite in his first year as a starter. That said, I’m picking Georgia to make the 12-team Playoff. That’s how high the floor is under Smart. I just think the next 3 teams have better chances to win it all.
3. Alabama
This Alabama defense under coordinator Kane Wommack has a chance to be the best in the SEC. The secondary is loaded. The front 7 is stacked with reliable veterans. The Tide were elite defensively last year and if they take a step forward on that side of the ball this season… look out. Offensively, the line is loaded and the receiving room is deep. If Ty Simpson is serviceable, the Tide will make it to the Playoff in Year 2 under Kalen DeBoer.
2. LSU
This is the year for Brian Kelly. He has a stud QB in Garrett Nussmeier. He has Harold Perkins and Whit Weeks back to lead the defense. He has one of the deepest receiving corps in all of college football. Losing Will Campbell and some other linemen hurt, but LSU has the depth to recover. Week 1 will be tough at Clemson, but if LSU can win that huge matchup on the road, a Playoff berth feels inevitable.
1. Texas
The defense is loaded with stars. Tre Wisner and CJ Baxter should be great in the backfield. We’ve seen flashes from Arch Manning in his limited action. If this offensive line can hold up and if another receiver emerges alongside Ryan Wingo, it should be a special year for Texas. Of course, we’ll find out what Steve Sarkisian and company are made of right out of the gates, as the Longhorns head to Columbus to face Ohio State on Saturday.
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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.
