The college football season is just days away. Texas begins its second season in the SEC and the expectations are sky high for the Longhorns. Texas and Georgia again look to be the cream of the crop in the best conference in the sport. But what about the rest of the conference?
In addition to UT and UGA, Tennessee also made the college football playoffs last season. Will the Vols take a step back after losing QB Nico Iamaleava to the transfer portal? Alabama and Ole Miss came close to making the playoff. Both could be better in 2025.
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The Sooners look improved with new QB John Mateer under center. The Aggies hope to be better. As does LSU, who could either compete for the title or fall flat again down the stretch.
So much will depend on the quarterbacks. Many return, like Florida’s DJ Lagway and Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia. Some teams feature new QBs, like Texas and Georgia.
Here are the final 2025 preseason SEC Power Rankings:
Sep 21, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby speaks with quarterback Blake Shapen (2) during the fourth quarter against the Florida Gators at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images
The Bulldogs were the last place team in the SEC last season and it shouldn’t change in 2025. Head coach Jeff Lebby seems in over his head. In 2024, Mississippi State finished the SEC season 0-8. The Bulldogs also got blown out by Toledo, 41-17. QB Blake Shapen is back after missing much of last season to injury.
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Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops.
Head coach Mark Stoops and the Wildcats put a scare in some teams last season, but in the end finished an abysmal 1-7 in the league. Stoops has brought in former Aggies QB Zach Calzada through the transfer portal, but there aren’t many winnable conference games for the ‘Cats.
14. Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green (10) cheers with fans as he walks off the field as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. Arkansas Razorbacks defeated Auburn Tigers 24-14.
The Hogs finished with a winning record last season, but finished 3-5 in the SEC. Quarterback Taylen Green is back and Arkansas should be around a .500 team again. But the schedule is tough with Texas, A&M and Ole Miss on the schedule. Plus the Razorbacks play Notre Dame out of conference.
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13. Vanderbilt Commodores
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) mingles with teammates after the game at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
Vandy was a surprise last season behind QB Diego Pavia. The Commodores finished the season with a winning record and a huge upset of Alabama. Vanderbilt gave Texas a huge scare in Nashville as well. But there won’t be a surprise this season and with all of the good vibes, Vandy still finished 3-5 in the SEC.
12. Auburn Tigers
Sep 28, 2024; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze watches his team warm up before the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
Head coach Huge Freeze has had a rocky offseason and now is pinning Auburn’s hopes on former Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold. Arnold was abject last season in Norman, but maybe a change of scenery will help. The defense should be solid thanks to future first rounders EDGE Keldric Faulk and DB Jay Crawford.
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Knox News reporter Adam Sparks speaks to Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar (6) during football media day, in Knoxville, Tennessee, July 29, 2025.
Look for the Vols to take a step back in 2025. The messy departure of QB Nico Iamaleava could reverberate throughout the season. Former Appalachian State quarterback Joey Aguilar should be solid for coach Josh Heupel. But he doesn’t have the elite skills required to win in the SEC.
Nov 30, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) warms up before the game against the Texas Longhorns at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
It is year two of the Mike Elko era Aggieland. A&M was decent last season, but struggled against the upper tier of the conference. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Marcel Reed should be improved. But the Aggies have a tough schedule that culminates in Austin.
9. Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) signs a helmet for a fan during Meet the Sooners Day at Gaylord Family Ñ Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.
OU should be better this season. Just the addition of former Washington State QB John Mateer through the transfer portal should help the offense. OU had a solid defense last season and that should stay the same. But if the Sooners can’t keep up again on offense it will be another long season.
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8. Missouri Tigers
Sep 7, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz on field after the win over the Buffalo Bulls at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
The Tigers have been a consistently good team under coach Eliah Drinkwitz. Mizzou leans into the transfer portal. Starting QB Beau Pribula comes from Penn State. Missouri will jump up and get a big upset at some point this season. Alabama, A&M and South Carolina all must travel to Columbia.
Florida coach Billy Napier talks with quarterback DJ Lagway (2) during the first half of the team’s game against Central Florida at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., on Saturday, October 5, 2024.
Florida’s 2024 season was headed for disaster. But behind dynamic QB DJ Lagway, the Gators scored late season upsets of LSU and Ole Miss. UF coach Billy Napier will hope Lagway can push the Gators over the line a few more times this season. Florida will open its SEC season hosting Texas.
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![LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly runs off the field after the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 16, 2024. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/DDfAEi.Mbphy2AxnC1wdWw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTgzNjtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/longhorns_wire_usa_today_articles_557/52a1f0155d92ed958f9d9529ad9d29cd)
LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly runs off the field after the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 16, 2024. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]
LSU has enough talent to win the SEC, Brian Kelly’s teams tend to disappoint. QB Garrett Nussmeier is purported to be a Heisman candidate. The Tigers conference schedule is tough. Just like last season, LSU will be tested in Week 1 with a trip to Clemson that could set the trajectory of the season.
5. Ole Miss Rebels
Oct 5, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin calls timeout against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Lane Kiffin seems to be building something in Oxford. Last year, Ole Miss just missed the college football playoffs. Ole Miss knocked off Georgia and South Carolina last season. But losses to LSU and Florida were killers. Kiffin hit the portal to reload at receiver and beef up the defense.
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4. South Carolina Gamecocks
Dec 31, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) leads his team agains the Illinois Fighting Illini before the game at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images
A pleasant surprise last season, the Gamecocks look to build on 2024. QB LaNorris Sellers is a unique talent and should help the Gamecocks navigate a tricky schedule that includes home games against Alabama and Clemson, with road games at Texas A&M and LSU.
Aug. 4, 2025; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide players and coaches participate in a media day with reporters and fans at the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility. Young fan Patrick Harvey Jr. sits between quarterbacks Keelon Russell and Ty Simpson as he contemplates his next play on a college football video game.
The Tide’s three SEC losses last season were all shocking in their own way. Obviously, no one expected ‘Bama to lose to Vanderbilt or Oklahoma. The OU loss cost Alabama a college football playoff berth. Ty Simpson will be the Crimson Tide’s starting QB. The junior has waited three seasons for his turn.
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Apr 12, 2025; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) runs on the field prior to the start of the Georgia Spring game at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
It is tight between Georgia and Texas at the top of the SEC. Last year, Georgia beat Texas twice. It seems the Longhorns have more talent this season, but the Horns must travel to Athens to face the Bulldogs this year. So much of Georgia’s season depends on QB Gunner Stockton.
1. Texas Longhorns
Nov 24, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian observes quarterback Arch Manning (16) warming up before a game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
The Longhorns look loaded. The defense could be the best in the country with three All-Americans, one on each position group. Arch Manning takes over a QB. What he might lack in experience he should make up for in arm strength and speed. Could coach Steve Sarkisian finally win a national title?
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: SEC Power Rankings: Final preseason ranking 1 to 16
