SEC football power rankings entering Week 1 of 2026

SEC football power rankings entering Week 1 of 2026

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SEC football power rankings entering Week 1 of 2026

The Southeastern Conference has no shortage of drama, chaos and intriguing storylines entering the first week of the new campaign.

Last season, Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs ruled the league, securing their second consecutive SEC title and third in the last five years. The Texas A&M Aggies were one game away from the program's first appearance in Atlanta, but the Texas Longhorns shut down those hopes in the Lone Star Showdown, handing Mike Elko his sole regular-season loss in 2025.

That's just the tip of the iceberg, however. Former Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin did the unthinkable, leaving for Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and becoming the first person in college football to coach at three different teams in the conference. The Rebels await the Tigers in a Week 3 matchup, but their focus can't slip away from Sunday's matchup against a talented Louisville squad.

Here are my full Week 1 SEC football power rankings, with the conference set to kick off the 2026 season on Thursday:

1. Georgia Bulldogs (0-0)

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 01: Nate Frazier #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs the ball against Zxavian Harris #51 and Kapena Gushiken #14 of the Ole Miss Rebels during the second quarter during the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 01, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Week 1 contest: vs. Tennessee State – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 2 p.m. CT (SEC Network+)

2. Texas Longhorns (0-0)

COLUMBUS, OHIO - AUGUST 30: Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns throws a first half pass while playing the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Week 1 contest: vs. Texas State – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 2:30 p.m. CT (ESPN)

3. Ole Miss Rebels (0-0)

Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. Ole Miss defeated LSU 24-19.

Week 1 contest: vs. No. 24 Louisville* (Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.) – Sunday, Sept. 6, at 6:30 p.m. CT (ABC)

4. Oklahoma Sooners (0-0)

Nov 29, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III (5) makes a touchdown catch during the fourth quarter against the Louisiana State Tigers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Week 1 contest: vs. UTEP – Friday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m. CT (SEC Network+)

5. Texas A&M Aggies (0-0)

Aug 30, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies safety Marcus Ratcliffe (3) celebrates during the second half against the UTSA Roadrunners at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Sean Thomas-Imagn Images

Week 1 contest: vs. Missouri State – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 6 p.m. CT (ESPN)

6. LSU Tigers (0-0)

LSU linebacker Whit Weeks (40) gestures toward the crowd after a turnover during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.

Week 1 contest: vs. Clemson – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 6:30 p.m. CT (ABC)

7. Alabama Crimson Tide (0-0)

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 22: Keelon Russell #12 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reads the defense before handing the ball off to Richard Young #9 during the fourth quarter of the against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Jason Clark/Getty Images)

Week 1 contest: vs. East Carolina – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 11 a.m. CT (ABC)

8. South Carolina Gamecocks (0-0)

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 29: Lanorris Sellers #16 of the South Carolina Gamecocks looks on during the second half of a football game against the Clemson Tigers at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

Week 1 contest: vs. Kent State – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 11:45 a.m. CT (SEC Network)

9. Florida Gators (0-0)

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - NOVEMBER 8: Jadan Baugh #13 of the Florida Gators celebrates a touchdown with team members during the first half of the NCAA football game between the Florida Gators and Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field on November 8, 2025 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Week 1 contest: vs. Florida Atlantic – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 6:45 p.m. CT (SEC Network)

10. Tennessee Volunteers (0-0)

Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon (11) throws a pass during the Orange & White game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on April 11, 2026.

Week 1 contest: vs. Furman – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 2:30 p.m. CT (SEC Network+)

11. Mississippi State Bulldogs (0-0)

Sep 6, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Isaac Smith (2) looks on during the third quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Week 1 contest: vs. ULM – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 6 p.m. CT (ESPNU)

12. Missouri Tigers (0-0)

Aug 28, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers offensive lineman Cayden Green (70) on the line of scrimmage against the Central Arkansas Bears during the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Week 1 contest: vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff – Thursday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. CT (SEC Network)

13. Auburn Tigers (0-0)

Auburn Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown (17) warms up before Auburn Tigers A-Day spring game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

Week 1 contest: vs. Baylor* (Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga.) – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 2:30 p.m. CT (ABC/Disney+)

14. Kentucky Wildcats (0-0)

Sep 13, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Terhyon Nichols (20) celebrates after linebacker Daveren Rayner intercepts a pass during the first quarter against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

Week 1 contest: vs. Youngstown State – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 12 p.m. CT (SEC Network+)

15. Vanderbilt Commodores (0-0)

Nov 29, 2025; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores running back Sedrick Alexander (28) runs against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

Week 1 contest: vs. Austin Peay – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 6 p.m. CT (SEC Network+)

16. Arkansas Razorbacks (0-0)

Nov 22, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jackson (7) runs from the pocket while defended by Texas Longhorns defensive back Jelani McDonald (4) during the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Week 1 contest: vs. North Alabama – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 3:15 p.m. CT (SEC Network)

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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: SEC football power rankings entering Week 1 of 2026

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