How does the SEC stack up in ESPN Football Power Index rankings?

How does the SEC stack up in ESPN Football Power Index rankings?

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

How does the SEC stack up in ESPN Football Power Index rankings?

In just a few weeks the offseason will begin setting the stage for the 2026 college football season. SEC media days will give way to fall camp, which will be up and running in earnest this time next month. And the start of the season is less than two months away. And 2026 promises to be another incredible chapter in the annals of the sport.

With talking season about to hit its crescendo, ESPN updated its Football Power Index for the 2026 season with new record projections and probabilities ahead of fall camp.

The Oklahoma Sooners are sitting in a really good spot nationally, but will have a bit of a mountain to climb in the SEC to get back to the College Football Playoff and contend for a national championship. Their schedule boasts eight teams ranked in the top 23 of the ESPN Football Power Index, including two in the top five and five in the top 15.

But how do the Sooners stack up compared to the rest of the SEC in ESPN’s Football Power Index? Here’s how the teams rank, including their overall ranking.

16. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Nov 1, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Anthony Evans III (3) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Bulldogs won 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Overall: 49

Projected Win-Loss: 4.6-7.4

Mississippi State showed a lot of fight last season, and improved in Jeff Lebby’s second year at the helm. The Bulldogs have an intriguing quarterback in Ka’Mario Taylor and an explosive deep threat in Anthony Evans.

15. Arkansas Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - APRIL 25: Head Coach Ryan Silverfield of the Arkansas Razorbacks watches his team during the 2026 spring football game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on April 25, 2026 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images for ONIT)

Overall: 15

Projected Win-Loss: 4.3-7.7

Coming over from Memphis, Ryan Silverfield has his work cut out for him. But he’s hoping a new culture can set the stage for consistent success. Earning bowl eligibility would be a start.

14. Kentucky Wildcats

LEXINGTON, KY - APRIL 18: Head coach Will Stein of the Kentucky Wildcats in the Kentucky Spring Game on April 18, 2026, at Kroger Field in Lexington, KY. (Photo by Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Overall: 40

Projected Win-Loss: 4.6-7.4

Head coach Will Stein is one of the better offensive minds in the country and Kentucky ponied up for transfer portal talent. How quickly things get turned around in Lexington will be determined by how good Kenny Minchey is as a first-time starter.

13. Vanderbilt Commodores

Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea works with his team during the third quarter against Kentucky at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025.

Overall: 29

Projected Win-Loss: 6.2-5.8

It’s a new era of Vanderbilt football after the Pavia party over the last two seasons. Presumably, the Commodores are rolling with five-star true freshman Jared Curtis to lead the way. If Clark Lea and Curtis can navigate the ‘Dores to a bowl game, that’ll keep a lot of momentum in Nashville.

12. South Carolina Gamecocks

South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Lanorris Sellers (16) passes against the Clemson Tigers

Overall: 23

Projected Win-Loss: 6.4-5.6

Shane Beamer enters the season on one of the hottest seats in college football. But he has two of the best players in America leading the charge in quarterback LaNorris Sellers and defensive end Dylan Stewart.

11. Auburn Tigers

AUBURN, AL - March 24, 2026 - Auburn Head Coach Alex Golesh speaks to the media during an interview after spring practice at the Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, AL.Photo by Austin Perryman

Overall: 22

Projected Win-Loss: 6.6-5.4

Alex Golesh is betting on his quarterback from USF, Byrum Brown, making a seamless transition to the SEC. He’s got a ton of talent and the Tigers have a really good defense to work with. Can they find an upset or two and be in the playoff picture come November?

10. Missouri Tigers

Sep 13, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Beau Pribula (9) pitches the ball to running back Ahmad Hardy (29) against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns during the first half of the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Overall: 21

Projected Win-Loss: 6.7-5.3

New quarterback Austin Simmons has as much upside as anyone in the SEC. He just needs to protect the football. If he can do that and the Missouri Tig ers can run the ball with Ahmad Hardy like they did last year, Mizzou will finish in the top half of the standings in the SEC.

9. Florida Gators

Florida head coach Jon Sumrall speaks to the team after the Orange and Blue game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, April 11, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]

Overall: 18

Projected Win-Loss: 6.7-5.3

Jon Sumrall had a lot of success at Tulane and now hopes to replicate it with new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner at Florida. If they have their offensive line and quarterback figured out, the Gators will be a fun team to watch in 2026.

8. Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel on the field before a college football game between Tennessee and Florida at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida., on Nov. 22, 2025.

Overall: 16

Projected Win-Loss: 7.3.4.7

Josh Heupel heads into 2026 with a new starter for the fifth straight season and he’ll be relying on a first-time starting quarterback to lead the way. Former five-star freshman Faizon Brandon and former four-star prospect George McIntyre are battling it out for the starting job.

7. Ole Miss Rebels

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 08: Trinidad Chambliss #6 of the Ole Miss Rebels celebrates after a two-point conversion against the Miami Hurricanes in the fourth quarter during the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on January 08, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Overall: 14

Projected Win-Loss: 7.3-4.8

Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacey are arguably the best quarterback/running back duo in the country. But how will things look without Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weiss Jr. orchestrating the offense? Pete Golding will still have the defense humming but there’s potential for a step back with the Rebels.

6. Oklahoma Sooners

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 15: Head coach Brent Venables reacts with John Mateer #10 of the Oklahoma Sooners after their 23-21 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Overall: 12

Projected Win-Loss: 7.5-4.6

The Oklahoma Sooners’ offense will be better than it was last year. John Mateer is healthy and the offensive line will be more mature and physically ready for the rigors of the SEC. And you know Brent Venables will have the defense locked in and ready to roll.

5. Texas A&M Aggies

Overall: 11

Projected Win-Loss: 8.4-3.8

Texas A&M will have a markedly more strenuous schedule in 2026 than they did a year ago when they went 11-1 and scored just three points in their home playoff loss to Miami. A lot of the Aggies hopes rest on the arm of quarterback Marcel Reed. If he can improve, the Aggies will have a chance at 10 wins.

4. LSU Tigers

Dec 1, 2025; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU new head coach Lane Kiffin speaks at South Stadium Club at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Overall: 9

Projected Win-Loss: 8.4-3.8

Lane Kiffin is a good coach. I’m just not buying this quick of a turnaround. Sure, they landed some big-time players in the portal but we have to see how the parts fit before we’re buying LSU as the fourth-best team in the SEC.

3. Alabama Crimson Tide

Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) breaks a tackle from Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Demello Jones (15) during the second quarter during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Overall: 8

Projected Win-Loss: 8.6-3.6

Kalen DeBoer has done well in Tuscaloosa, even if it hasn’t been to the Nick Saban level of success yet. Success in 2026 will hinge on which quarterback can take the reins and elevate the Crimson Tide offense.

2. Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia coach Kirby Smart celebrates after winning the national championship against TCU

Overall: 5

Projected Win-Loss: 9.9-2.5

The Georgia Bulldogs will be my pick to win the SEC when I attend SEC media days in a couple of weeks. Kirby Smart has been the most consistent coach in the nation for a decade and has his quarterback and running back returning on offense and will have a defense that makes life difficult for everyone they line up across from.

1. Texas Longhorns

Oct 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) looks on before the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Overall: 2

Projected Win-Loss: 9.8-2.7

Tell me if you’ve heard this story before. The Texas Longhorns enter the season as the No. 1 team in the SEC. Can they avoid an upset loss like they did last season and finally come out on top in the SEC title picture? Steve Sarkisian made an aggressive play to make sure the Longhorns don’t miss the playoff once again.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: How does the SEC stack up in ESPN Football Power Index rankings?

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos