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Change is in the air across the Southeastern Conference as the 2025 college football season kicks off. For the SEC, that change is both seismic and strategic. With Texas and Oklahoma now entering year two of their conference tenures, the SEC has swelled to 16 teams, redefining its divisions, rivalries, and competitive balance. The conference that already dominated the sport has somehow become even more formidable in the eyes of many major media outlets.
Defending conference champion Georgia remains the gold standard, but Alabama led by head coach Kalen DeBoer has a chance to challenge that gold standard as we see what he can do with a full offseason cycle. Meanwhile, other SEC Teams like LSU, Tennessee, and Ole Miss are all locked and loaded with rosters capable of making a run at the conference title. Plus, the additions of Texas and Oklahoma back in 2024 have only intensified the battle for supremacy, adding blue-blood firepower to an already loaded schedule.
In addition, the 12-team College Football Playoff offers more pathways for SEC programs to compete for a national title—but making every conference game even more critical. Depth, durability, and discipline will separate the contenders from the rest in what promises to be the most chaotic and compelling SEC season yet.
From quarterback battles in Athens to culture shifts in Norman, here’s a breakdown of where each SEC Team stands entering the upcoming College Football Season:
The Bulldogs should show signs of improvement in Year 2 of Jeff Lebby’s tenure. The problem is that this team still has multiple question marks throughout the entire defense plus it’s always difficult to win in the SEC. Therefore, while this team should be better than last year… it just might not show in the final overall record.
After what happened last season, sneaking up on the rest of the SEC is likely not going to happen again. Thankfully, this team is equipped with Diego Pavia as well as an experienced defense making the Commodores capable of surpassing my expectations even though the schedule will not be very forgiving.
Filling the roster out with a significant number of transfer portal additions could help Mark Stoops’ Team bounce back after going 4-8 last year. With how strong the conference is, they’ll need those guys to mesh right away to have a chance.
The Former Boise State Transfer in Taylen Green is back once again after a strong season for the Razorbacks last year. The biggest question is can the rest of his supporting cast rise to the occasion in 2025? Even with some help from the Transfer Portal, Sam Pittman is going to have a difficult time reaching the 7 wins he achieved last year.
Missouri finds itself in borderline elite company over the last two seasons as the Tigers have won 21 of their last 26 games. However, this year the criticism might be more warranted as he’ll be integrating multiple new faces in the trenches, receiver, and most importantly at Quarterback. That being said, a schedule that is easily navigable by SEC Standards combined with an otherwise pretty strong defense could propel Missouri into the CFP Conversation if the offense can find good chemistry early.
Is Year 3 the magic year under Hugh Freeze where the breakthrough finally happens for Auburn? There is plenty to like about this team including most notably a dangerous receiving duo made up of Georgia Tech Transfer Eric Singleton and Sophomore Sensation Cam Coleman. The key will be unlocking the potential of former 5-star QB Jackson Arnold who needs to be more consistent moving forward.
If Tennessee can remain as a Top 25 Caliber Squad throughout the season, there needs to be serious consideration for Coach of The Year with all the turmoil this offseason. Losing Nico Iamaleava after Spring Practices conclude certainly hurts, but this coaching staff was able to find another QB in Joey Aguilar who’s capable of producing in this offense without the extra drama. They’ll also have the benefit of having the easiest schedule in the SEC to also help with figuring out the other question marks throughout the rest of the roster.
The popular conception is Ole Miss missed its opportunity to make the CFP after losing a couple of headscratchers last year. However, you can never count out Lane Kiffin’s team knowing that he’s one of the best portal acquisition coaches in College Football. He’ll have the benefit of an easier schedule and Austin Simmons who shows tremendous potential to pave the way for another really strong season for Ole Miss.
If the team that played in the second half of the season was able to play like that for the whole year, this team would have made a DEEP run in the CFP. But now, Shane Beamer will need to figure out how to address question marks all over the roster such as the trenches, linebacker, and the receiving core. Thankfully, LaNorris Sellers is one of the best quarterbacks in all of college football that is capable of hiding all of those potential flaws.
Two Losing Seasons in the last three years is hard to swallow at any program, but unacceptable at Oklahoma which is why this year is extremely important for Brent Venables. So far, he has responded by improving the offense significantly thanks to adding not only Offensive Coordinator Ben Arbuckle but also John Mateer and Jadyn Ott as well! Plus, we know the defense should still be one of the best in the SEC with the defensive background of the head coach.
If Texas A&M wants to make its first CFP in school history, they need Marcel Reed to continue his development. Luckily, it won’t all be on him as he does have the benefit of one of the best offensive lines/ rushing offenses in the SEC plus extra receivers to throw the ball at as they added both Kevin Concepcion and Mario Craver from the Transfer Portal. Meanwhile, Mike Elko will need to use his defensive background in order to backfill the talent loss on the defensive line as well as in the secondary.
Florida looked like a completely different team in the second half of the season beating the likes of LSU, Ole Miss, and Tulane in short order. That will help remove Billy Napier off of the hot seat for now, but DJ Lagway needs to prove he can stay healthy and the defense needs to build off its progress from late last season if they want to improve their record despite having the toughest schedule in all of college football.
On Paper, there’s so much to like about LSU between Garrett Nussmeier, an elite receiving core, plus one of the best transfer portal classes in all of college football! Defensive Blake Baker and Head Coach Brian Kelly have to prove that they can get the most of their team.
Kirby Smart may only be returning 7 starters on this team, but the elite recruiter knows how to reload for national championship runs year in and year out. The Defense will make sure that every point scored against them is earned. But in order for this team to reach its potential? Gunner Stockton and the Offensive Line will need to develop.
Winning 9 Games in your first season would normally be rewarded. But at Alabama, that’s simply not good enough. Now that he has one of the best defenses in College Football as well as an elite receiver in Ryan Williams…. The expectations are going to climb further. The key will need to be who takes over for Jalen Milroe as Ty Simpson, Keelon Russell, and Austin Mack are all fighting to become the next starting quarterback.
Steve Sarkistian has done an admirable job turning Texas into the consistent national championship contender that its always capable of being with the right coach in charge. Arch Manning is now the guy after waiting multiple years behind now NFL Quarterback Quinn Ewers. But it will be the defense that could be potentially the biggest strength of this team as Colin Simmons and Anthony Hill Jr. are both back to wreak havoc on opposing teams.
