ESPN ranks SEC Football Championship contenders from first to last ahead of 2025 season

The SEC Championship Game has been dominated by Alabama over the last decade, as the Crimson Tide have won seven of the last 11 title games. We’re, however, in the midst of a new era in Tuscaloosa, as Kalen DeBoer returns for his second season in succession of legendary head coach Nick Saban.

Georgia has ruled the conference as of late, as it has won two of the last three SEC Championship games (2023 & 2025).

Along with Alabama, heavy-hitters such as the Bulldogs, Texas and LSU will all make a push for the SEC Championship Game this season. Even unexpected contenders, such as South Carolina and Missouri, could make a bit of noise.

Ahead of the 2025 season, ESPN ranked the SEC Championship contenders from first to last. The full list is below:

1. Alabama Crimson Tide (16.1%)

The first year of the Kalen DeBoer era in Tuscaloosa was a tad disappointing (compared to Alabama‘s standards), as the Crimson Tide finished with a 9-4 (5-3) record and lost to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl. DeBoer’s second team, however, is projected to get back near the top of the SEC as it ventures into the Ty Simpson era at quarterback. 

Simpson will have talented running back Jam Miller back in the backfield, along with superstar wide receiver Ryan Williams and second-leading receiver Germie Bernard down the field. Along with a talented defense led by returning linebackers Deontae Lawson and Justin Jefferson, the Tide should be back in the SEC title conversation this season.

2. Georgia Bulldogs (15.6%)

Just like Texas and Alabama this season, Georgia will be entrusting a new arm in their offense. Carson Beck moved on to Miami this offseason, clearing the way for Gunner Stockton to fully run the team. Georgia finished with an 11-3 (6-2) season in 2024, but fell in the Sugar Bowl due to the Beck injury.

Stockton has now had an entire offseason to prepare, aided by last season’s leading rusher, Nate Frazier. Georgia did lose its two leading receivers in Arian Smith and Dominic Lovett, but hauled in star receiver Zachariah Branch from USC. The Bulldogs, who also lost a chunk of production on their defense, may take a bit of a step back this season but are still expected to be right there in the mix back at the top of the SEC.

3. Texas Longhorns (13.6%)

Texas heads into the first year of the Arch Manning era fresh off a 13-3 (7-1) season and an appearance in the College Football Playoff. The Longhorns won two games in the Playoff before falling to Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.

Along with Manning, the Longhorns return big-time playmakers in running back Tre Wisner, wide receiver Ryan Wingo, linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and defensive back Michael Taaffe. Coach Steve Sarkisian‘s team is seeking a third consecutive appearance in the College Football Playoff and their first National Championship since 2005, along with a first-ever SEC Championship.

4. LSU Tigers (9.6%)

LSU seemed primed to make a push for the College Football Playoff last season until it lost three consecutive games to Texas A&M, Alabama and Florida midway through the season. The Tigers, however, have rebuilt over the offseason and should make a push for the Playoff for the first time since 2019, led by Heisman candidate quarterback Garrett Nussmeier.

Nussmeier, who impressed mightily last season, returns his starting running back Caden Durham and leading wide receiver Aaron Anderson. Along with a defense that returns its leading tackler in linebacker Whit Weeks and safety Jardin Gilbert, things are looking good for the team in Baton Rouge this season. The Tigers will look to break their five-year streak of losing their season opener against Clemson on August 30 and compete for their first SEC Championship since 2019.

5. Ole Miss Rebels (7.4%)

Ole Miss is yet another team in the conference having to replace a talented quarterback, as Jaxson Dart was selected in the First Round of the 2025 NFL Draft. 

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Austin Simmons, however, looks poised to seamlessly make the transition. He has the 15th-best Heisman trophy odds heading into the season (35-1). There is a ton of roster turnover, but Lane Kiffin has shown that he thrives against adversity in his coaching career. The Rebels are seeking their fourth 10-win season in the past five seasons this year.

6. Tennessee Volunteers (6.0%)

Tennessee enters the 2025 season as one of the biggest questions in the entire conference. Starting QB Nico Iamaleava surprisingly entered the Transfer Portal in the Spring and headed to UCLA, leaving Appalachian State transfer quarterback Joey Aguilar as the starter in Knoxville. The ‘Vols also lost their leading rusher in Dylan Sampson and their three leading receivers in Dont’e Thornton, Bru McCoy and Squirrel White, ensuring a blank slate for the offense.

Josh Heupel‘s team, however, returns five of its six leading tacklers from last season, ensuring some consistency on that side of the ball. The offense may be a question, but the defense should be one of the best in the conference.

7. Florida Gators (3.9%)

The DJ Lagway era is in full effect in Gainesville, with Gator fans all around the state ready to crown him as the Heisman winner this season. As a freshman in 2024, Lagway passed for 1,915 yards and 12 touchdowns in relief of an injured Graham Mertz.

Florida‘s leading rusher Jadan Baugh is back, along with talented receiver J.Michael Sturdivant (UCLA) coming through the Transfer Portal. In what may be a make-or-break year for head coach Billy Napier, a push for the top of the SEC would be massive for the program.

T-8. Oklahoma Sooners (5.4%)

Oklahoma‘s first season in the SEC was a bit of a rough one, as the Sooners finished with a 6-7 (2-6) record. It, however, recorded a major home victory over Alabama to close out its SEC slate, instilling some confidence in head coach Brent Venables and the staff.

Quarterback John Mateer, who passed for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns last season, has transferred in from Washington State and has been tabbed as a Heisman candidate. Along with leading rusher Jovontae Banks returning, the Sooners will look to push for the top of the SEC for the first time ever.

T-8: South Carolina Gamecocks (5.4%)

South Carolina was one of the darlings of the college football world in 2024, emerging from the bottom of the SEC in preseason projections to nearly making the College Football Playoff.

Starting quarterback LaNorris Sellers is poised to make a run at the Heisman Trophy, while star defensive edge Dylan Stewart is set to make his mark as one of the most dominant defensive players in college football this season. Coming off a 9-4 season, Shane Beamer and the ‘Cocks will once again look to surprise the conference this season.

T-8: Texas A&M Aggies (5.4%)

Texas A&M is venturing into the second year of the Mike Elko era, fresh off an 8-5 record with a loss in the Las Vegas bowl in 2024. The Aggies return a wealth of talent, headlined by quarterback Marcel Reed, leading rushers Le’Veon Moss and Amari Daniels and their top-six tacklers from last season. 

The defense will certainly be great, but they will need some solid production from the offense this season to get back to where the program wants to be. A&M hasn’t won 10 games in a season since 2012, when quarterback Johnny Manziel was crowned the Heisman Trophy winner.

Teams 11-16

11. Missouri Tigers (3.5%)
12. Auburn Tigers (2.9%)
13. Arkansas Razorbacks (1.4%)
14. Kentucky Wildcats (1.2%)
15. Vanderbilt Commodores (0.6%)
16. Mississippi State Bulldogs (0.4%)