This year's SEC Media Days was eventful for Kentucky fans and others
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
An eventful week of SEC Media Days in Tampa, Florida has officially wrapped up, and the unofficial kickoff to football has prepared us for one of the most interesting seasons in conference history. There are six new head coaches, including Will Stein with the Kentucky Wildcats, and one is Lane Kiffin making the jump to LSU with lofty expectations in year one. This season will be fascinating with all the moving parts around the SEC, and that was on full display this week in Tampa. The league as a whole is looking to get back to the National Championship game and regain control of college football.
Of course, the two assumed best teams in the conference are the Texas Longhorns and Georgia Bulldogs. It seems as if Texas is finally entering a season where it could truly be the year the Longhorns return to the mountain top. Despite a small drop off compared to the dominance we are used to, everyone knows Kirby Smart's team in Georgia will be as consistent as any team in the country. On a side note, it is fortunate for Will Stein that the Wildcats dodge both of these teams in 2026.
You then have the next tier of teams, which include: Oklahoma, LSU, Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas A&M. Oklahoma will likely have the best defense in the conference, and a healthy John Mateer could put the Sooners among the best of the conference. Alabama is in a bit of a turnover year, but they still have the pieces to be a dangerous team in the league. Texas A&M has to replace a lot on both sides from their playoff team last season, but Mike Elko will look to get the Aggies back to the college football playoff.
LSU travels to Ole Miss in week three, setting up a game that no one can stop talking about after Lane Kiffin left the Rebels before the start of the college football playoff last season. Pete Golding stole the show at the podium, his authenticity was shown with his choice of words in Tampa. Golding had an impressive playoff run last season, but everyone is curious to see how this team transitions offensively without Charlie Weis Jr., who remained the offensive play caller before following Kiffin to LSU. Speaking of Kiffin and LSU, it is reported they had a roster budget close to 50 million dollars, so the expectations are higher than Kiffin has ever faced in year one of leading the bayou bengals.
The rest of the league is where it gets really intriguing, because every team outside of Arkansas really face a boom-or-bust type of season. Tennessee is overhauling the defense with veteran defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and likely starting a true freshman quarterback. Vanderbilt will also likely start a true freshman quarterback as Clark Lea navigates the post-Diego Pavia era. Auburn and Alex Golesh retain a dangerous defense led by DJ Durkin, but Golesh is essentially bringing his entire offense from USF to SEC football.
Mississippi State picked up a bit of momentum in Tampa, as Jeff Lebby was close to a couple upset wins last season and looks to improve with talented quarterback Kamario Taylor. South Carolina has players like quarterback LaNorris Sellers and edge defender Dylan Stewart that can takeover games, but head coach Shane Beamer is on the hot seat entering 2026. Florida is led by former Kentucky Wildcat Jon Sumrall, and they have a plethora of weapons to make a jump this season. Missouri is also in this group, Eli Drinkwitz has constantly handled business as a favorite but can he pick up a massive upset win this season remains the question.
That leaves us with Kentucky and Will Stein, as Stein showed off the confidence in his vision for Kentucky's football program at the podium. Stein said he has seen it at the highest level, meaning his three years at Oregon under Dan Lanning. Stein set the tone of SEC Media Days when asked why he thinks he can win big at Kentucky, he simply responded, "Because of me." And it is safe to say that Stein feels good about the roster he has put together in year one.
How this group of SEC teams perform this season is going to be incredible to watch play out. Every team has question marks but also have reasons to believe. Throw an extra SEC game on top of that, and we could be looking at a conference that just beats up on each other while a Big Ten team hoists another trophy at the end of the season. Regardless, this week proved that 2026 will be on of the most fascinating seasons in SEC history.
This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: This year's SEC Media Days was eventful for Kentucky fans and others
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos