College Football SEC power rankings entering Week 1
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The SEC is the only power conference in college football that did not have a team in action during Week Zero. So, we know the same amount about the conference now that we did during the preseason. We do have some updates on quarterbacks winning starting jobs, but that’s about it.
So we have a lot to watch this week in the SEC, as most of these teams have a cupcake non-conference opener before taking on serious competition next week (like Texas and Oklahoma).
MORE:College Football risers & fallers after Week 0
10. Florida
The Gators are going to roll into the Jon Sumrall era with Aaron Philo as their starting quarterback. The transfer from Georgia Tech is familiar with OC Buster Faulkner’s offensive system, which should bode well for his ability to run the offense. When the Florida Gators have a good head coach, they win. Let’s see if Sumrall fits the bill.
9. South Carolina
I feel like South Carolina is the forgotten team this year. They are getting no hype and no love from the media after a down year in 2025. But they still return QB LaNorris Sellers and future first-round pick Dylan Stewart, and that makes them dangerous.
8. Tennessee
True freshman Faizon Brandon was named the starting quarterback for the Vols. It really just makes the whole Nico Iamaleava saga last season make more sense. Tennessee knew they had a stud coming in, and they were not going to overpay Nico for a one-year rental. I think Brandon is the real deal.
7. Oklahoma
John Mateer was one of the winners of the offseason thanks to some very flattering workout pictures that were so ridiculous that I had to question if they were AI. Now, we’ll get to see if the product on the field is an improvement for a Sooner offense that was quite dreadful in the second half of last season.
6. Alabama
Keelon Russell was named the starting quarterback for the Crimson Tide, and I honestly don’t know if that changes my opinion of them. This team couldn’t run the ball last season, and they didn’t make any moves in the portal to address that issue. We’ll have to wait a few weeks to find out, as the schedule starts off quite easy.
5. Ole Miss
Trinidad Chambliss, Trinidad Chambliss, Trinidad Chambliss. As long as Ole Miss has him under center, don’t count them out. Getting his extra year of eligibility was a huge offseason win for the Rebels, who have one of Week 1’s marquee matchups against Louisville Sunday night.
4. LSU
Look, Lane Kiffin has acquired the most talented roster money can buy. That’s what he specializes in, and the LSU collective allows him to go on a spending spree. And they’re trying to add even more talent from players who were in NFL training camps. We’ll see if that transpires, but the Tigers appear to be one of the villains of college football this season because of how everything has gone down.
3. Texas A&M
I have blind faith in Mike Elko. Collin Klein is gone, and I don’t know how that will affect Marcel Reed. Same with KC Concepcion. But I believe in Elko’s ability to throw together a competent defense and make sound in-game decisions that certainly won’t cost his team any games thanks to the head coach.
2. Texas
This week is a tune-up. Everything coming out of training camp for Texas seemed to be negative. If you listen to the headlines, nothing is going right for the Longhorns, who apparently look like crap on offense and just dismissed a starting linebacker on defense. We’ll really find out where they’re at next week, but looking good this week would be a good start.
1. Georgia
The ‘Dawgs have one opponent this week: the point spread. Historically, Kirby Smart’s teams are terrible against the spread (but great straight up) as massive favorites. We’ll see if that’s the case this week – the question isn’t if they will win, but by how much?
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