Texas leads 9 SEC teams in composite way-too-early 2026 rankings
By David Wasson
Published:
The 2025 college football season ended just one week ago with the Indiana Hoosiers hoisting the College Football Playoff national championship trophy to celebrate a perfect 16-0 season.
Analysis of the upcoming 2026 season began almost instantly, of course, with outlets across the country publishing their way-too-early Top 25s for the coming season. And now, thanks to On3, we know what teams are the consensus top choices months before games actually begin.
The SEC boasts nine teams in the consensus Top 25 list, with the Texas Longhorns leading the way at No. 3. Georgia, the defending SEC champions, checks in at No. 4. Texas A&M is tied with Miami for the No. 8 spot, with Oklahoma right behind at No. 10.
LSU is No. 12, with Ole Miss at No. 13. Alabama ranks No. 16, Missouri at No. 23 and Vanderbilt at No. 25.
Ohio State, which won the national championship in 2024 but lost to the Hoosiers in the Big Ten title game and then to Miami in the CFP quarterfinals, occupies the top spot. Indiana will attempt to reload for another run to the national championship in Curt Cignetti’s third season from its perch at No. 2.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
