SEC softball power rankings: Kendall Wells powers Oklahoma atop final poll

It’s SEC softball tournament time.

Entering conference tournament week, six of the top eight teams and nine of the top 16 in national RPI are from the SEC.

This year’s conference tournament bracket creates some fascinating hypothetical matchups, including Oklahoma possibly having to go through Texas; and Alabama potentially matching up with Arkansas or Florida.

Here’s how our final SEC softball power rankings shaped up as the conference tournament gets underway:

More: SEC softball tournament bracket predictions: Can anyone stop Oklahoma?

1. Oklahoma 

Record: 48-7, 20-4 SEC

Last week’s ranking: 1

The Sooners remain the team to beat in the conference after securing the regular season championship and taking 2 of 3 from Texas A&M on the road. Star freshman Kendall Wells is still looking for home run No. 37 to tie former Arizona star Laura Espinoza’s NCAA single-season record.

2. Alabama

Record: 47-6, 19-5

Last week’s ranking: 2

The Crimson Tide isn’t limping into the tourney. Alabama enters the tournament hot after winning eight of its last 10 games, including a home sweep of South Carolina this past weekend. But the Tide shouldn’t overlook Arkansas if the two programs meet in the quarterfinals.

3. Arkansas

Record: 41-10, 15-9

Last week’s ranking: 4

Arkansas is also a dangerous team to watch in this format. The Razorbacks are better than their No. 7 seed suggests and are fresh off a road series win at Texas. Arkansas is outscoring opponents 392-136 this season.

4. Tennessee

Record: 42-9, 16-8

Last week’s ranking: 6

Tennessee dropped its regular season finale to Missouri, but took the series on the road. The Vols can never be counted out with ace and AUSL College Draft No. 1 overall pick Karlyn Pickens. Sage Mardjetko, Erin Nuwer and Pickens form perhaps the best pitching trio in the SEC. Tennessee’s potential quarterfinal matchup with Texas on Thursday would be a must-watch.

5. Texas

Record: 39-10, 16-8

Last week’s ranking: 3

The Longhorns enter the postseason having won only one of their last five series. Not great. But Texas is the defending national champion and has the offense as well as the pitching to make a deep run.

6. Florida

Record: 47-9, 17-7

Last week’s ranking: 5

The Gators drop one spot after losing 2 of 3 at Georgia this past weekend. Florida will likely see Texas A&M in the quarterfinals.

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7. Georgia

Record: 36-17, 12-12

Last week’s ranking: 8

Georgia jumps one spot after taking the Florida series. The Bulldogs’ path is much tougher in the conference tournament with a second-round matchup against LSU on Wednesday and a potential quarterfinal meeting with Oklahoma on Thursday.

8. Texas A&M

Record: 36-16, 16-8

Last week’s ranking: 7

Texas A&M has now lost two consecutive series — at South Carolina and vs. Oklahoma — heading into postseason play. The Aggies showed their offense can be one of the conference’s best when it gets hot, scoring eight runs on the Sooners in Game 1. 

9. LSU

Record: 37-16, 13-11

Last week’s ranking: 10

The Tigers finished the regular season on a five-game winning streak, which included a three-game sweep of Auburn. The Tigers play Georgia on Wednesday with the winner facing the No. 1 Sooners.

10. Mississippi State

Record: 37-17, 9-15

Last week’s ranking: 9

The Bulldogs lost 2 of 3 on the road at Ole Miss to end the regular season. It’s been an up-and-down year for MSU, but it should cruise to at least the second round with a win over lowly Kentucky.

11. Missouri

Record: 28-28, 9-15

Last week’s ranking: 14

Missouri got to .500 with its regular season finale upset win over Tennessee. The Tigers face Auburn on Tuesday.

12. South Carolina

Record: 30-25, 7-17

Last week’s ranking: 11

The Gamecocks were swept by Alabama to end the regular season. South Carolina faces Ole Miss on Tuesday night.

13. Ole Miss

Record: 32-23, 6-18

Last week’s ranking: 12

Ole Miss took two of three from Mississippi State at home this past weekend and will try to survive until Wednesday with a win over South Carolina.

14. Auburn

Record: 25-27, 4-20

Last week’s ranking: 13

Auburn was swept by LSU this past weekend, including a 25-0 blowout run-rule loss. The Tigers face Missouri on Tuesday.

15. Kentucky

Record: 26-28, 1-23

Last week’s ranking: 15

No change for the Wildcats, which finished their regular season after being swept by Texas. Kentucky won only one SEC game.

Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing adigital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

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