Phil Steele releases preseason SEC Football rankings

The college football season is approaching fast, with SEC giants kicking off the 2025 campaign in mega matchups in late August.

The conference is seeking a stronger outing in the College Football Playoff this season, as it had just three teams selected last season (Georgia, Texas and Tennessee). With the addition of the Longhorns and Oklahoma, the conference has never been stronger or more competitive, making it harder for teams in the conference to reach the Playoff.

Phil Steele did the impossible and compiled its preseason SEC Football rankings, ranking the teams from 1-16 heading into the fall.

1. Texas Longhorns

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 searching for a third consecutive appearance in the College Football Playoff and Texas‘ first National Championship since 2005.

2. Alabama Crimson Tide

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 College Football Playoff conversation this season.

3. Georgia Bulldogs

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.

4. LSU Tigers

LSU seemed prime 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.

5. Florida Gators

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 College Football Playoff would be massive for the program.

6. Tennessee Volunteers

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, insuring 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. Ole Miss Rebels

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 to thrive against adversity in his coaching career. The Rebels are seeking their fourth 10-win season in the past five seasons this year.

8. Texas A&M Aggies

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.

9. Oklahoma Sooners

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, the Sooners will look to push for the Playoff for the first time in a few seasons in 2025.

10. South Carolina Gamecocks

South Carolina was one of the darling’s 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.

11. Auburn Tigers

Quarterback Jackson Arnold departed one SEC program in the offseason and ended up at another, taking over for departing starter Payton Thorne. At Oklahoma last season, Arnold threw for 1,421 yards and 12 touchdowns for a disappointing Sooner team.

Head coach Hugh Freeze continues to try and get his program stabilized, as Auburn has won just six and five games (respectively) over his first two seasons at the helm. Another disappointing season and Freeze once again may be on the move.

12. Missouri Tigers

Missouri has quietly been one of the most consistent teams in the SEC as of late, as they’ve posted back-to-back 10-win seasons under head coach Eli Drinkwitz. The Tigers however have to replace quarterback Brady Cook this season with Penn State transfer Beau Pribula, who passed for 275 yards and five touchdowns in 2025.

They were also hit hard in the running back and wide receivers room, as their top-three leading rushers and top-two leading receivers departed over the offseason. Their defense should be strong once again however, as three of their top four leading tacklers return. Expect a bit of a dip from the program this season, but it’s hard to compile three consecutive 10-win seasons in the nation’s premier college football conference.

13. Arkansas Razorbacks

Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman is one more disappointing season away from no longer being the head coach in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks finished with a 7-6 (3-5) record last season, highlighted by a home win over No. 4 Tennessee.

They return starting quarterback Taylen Green, along with third-leading rusher Braylen Russell and two of their top three leading tacklers. Pittman and his staff also brought in six wide receivers via the Transfer Portal, led by Charlotte transfer O’Mega Blake. In year six of the Pittman era, Arkansas is still searching for its first 10-win campaign.

14. Vanderbilt Commodores

Vanderbilt is entering year two of the “Diego Pavia Experience”, fresh off its best season since 2013. The Commodores shocked No. 1 ranked Alabama at home and won its first bowl game since 2013, marking a historic season in Nashville.

They return leading rushers Sedrick Alexander and AJ Newberry, along with leading receiver Eli Stowers and four of their top five leading tacklers from last season. Expect the ‘Dores to punch above their waists once again this season.

15. Kentucky Wildcats

Along with Lebby, the longest tenured coach in the SEC may have one of the warmest seats in the conference. Motivated Mark Stoops and his ‘Cats are looking to rebound from a disappointing 4-8 season, marking the first time since 2015 that they missed a bowl game.

They brought in their fourth starting quarterback in four years (Incarnate Word‘s Zach Calzada) to pair with Alabama transfer wide receiver Kendrick Law and Hardley Gilmore, who originally transferred to Nebraska but quickly transferred back to Lexington. Kentucky also has a new-look defense, led by junior defensive back Ty Bryant and linebacker Daveren Rayner. Anything less than a six-win season will be seen as another disappointment for an already on edge fanbase.

16. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Phil Steele is projected yet another year at the bottom for Mississippi State, which finished with a 2-10 (0-8) record last season. The Bulldogs retained head coach Jeff Lebby, but it’s safe to assume that his seat is extremely hot, especially with the firing of baseball head coach Chris Lemonis earlier this year. AD Zac Selmon and the athletic department has shown their desire to win now, and another season like 2024 might be too much to come back from.

With the departure of quarterback Michael Van Buren, quarterback Blake Shapen looks to be the true starter for the team this season. He will be flanked by last season’s leading rushers Davon Booth and Johnnie Daniels, along with their second-leading receiver in Jordan Mosley. They also return four of their top five leading tacklers from last season, instilling some hope amongst Bulldog fans.