SEC Power Rankings: A look at the league in the midst of summer workouts

The portal is closed (we think). Rosters are set (for the most part). Coaches have plans in place (until further notice). Southestern Conference Media Days are next month (this one is for certain, and the Longhorns take the stage in Atlanta on July 15).

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It’s a good time to reassess Inside Texas’ SEC Power Rankings ahead of those media days. These rankings only go as far as the top ten teams in the league.

Joe Cook’s SEC Top 10
1. Texas

There are no perfect teams in college football anymore but the questions Texas does possess all have high quality potential answers thanks to great recruiting and portal classes. The culture is rolling, and there’s that Arch Manning guy.

2. Alabama

Doubt Kalen DeBoer at your own peril. The defense has tremendous pieces, especially in the secondary. While quarterback is a question, Alabama almost made the playoff last year with Jalen Milroe. That’s not to speak ill of Milroe, but rather to say that a DeBoer offense is capable of more than what we saw. Plus, Ryan Grubb is back and he helped engineer that elite 2023 Washington offense. Quarterback is a question but the rest is in a great spot.

3. Georgia

Georgia’s situation looks like the situations in Austin and Tuscaloosa, but this program looks different than its superteam days of 2021 and 2022. Is Gunner Stockton that guy? Will these portal additions at wideout hit in a Mike Bobo offense? Last year Georgia overcame stiff challenges, but can they roll sevens every time again?

4. LSU

Between Garrett Nussmeier and a talented offensive corps, the Tigers are going to score a lot of points. Enough to where even more moderate defensive improvement will put the Tigers in position to be in Atlanta in a crucial year for Brian Kelly.

5. South Carolina

The LaNorris Sellers hype is deserved. South Carolina was just outside of the playoff picture last year, but they have a strong opportunity to contend for a spot this year.

6. Texas A&M

The return of Marcel Reed and, maybe more importantly, Le’Veon Moss bodes well for the Aggie offense with a stout O-line. Mike Elko needs to solidify the defense after losing many of the remnants of Jimbo Fisher’s star studded 2022 recruiting class.

7. Florida

It all depends on DJ Lagway’s shoulder. There’s positive momentum for the Gators after last year’s strong finish, and the Gators did work in the transfer portal. But if there are remaining questions about Lagway, there are remaining questions about the Gators.

8. Ole Miss

Like Steve Sarkisian, Lane Kiffin knows offense. He’ll have no problem making the most of new quarterback Austin Simmons. Defense is a question.

9. Tennessee

Somehow, everyone involved came out a little worse in the Nico Iamaleava trade. He would have fit well in the Vol offense, but now he’s gone. Plus, James Pearce isn’t there off the edge anymore. Tennessee has done pretty well on the recruiting trail, but they may not be in “reload” territory yet and the quarterback fit? We’ll see.

10. Auburn

This Auburn team and Oklahoma were neck and neck for spot 10. But the pieces on the Plains, especially at the skill positions, gives the nod to the Tigers.

Evan Vieth’s SEC Top 10
1. Texas

A mixture of returning talent, high level transfers and the best mixture in the SEC of defense and QB play. Arch Manning should be a true ceiling raiser.

2. Alabama

The Crimson Tide have done a great job of returning elite talent on the trenches similar to how Ohio State did last season. DeBoer now has the best support staff in America and a true difference maker at WR. 

3. Georgia

It’s hard to ever bet against a Kirby Smart team, but this year’s Georgia squad has more weaknesses than the two teams above. Questions at QB, lack of star pass rushers and reliance on transfers at WR may limit their ceiling, but this is still a fantastic football team.

4. LSU

It’s a contract year in some respects for this entire team. Nussmeier is shooting for the Heisman and 1st overall pick in the draft, Kelly needs to prove he can win in the SEC and defensive coordinator is in year two in the program. The team is extremely talented and every party involved knows this is their year.

5. Florida

A tier break begins here. In a spot like this, you have to take the team that has the highest ceiling QB and the best depth in the trenches. Florida has potentially the best QB in the conference and multiple NFLers on the line of scrimmage

6. Texas A&M 

Is this the season they can put it all together? A&M may surprise the nation with how strong this offense is now that Reed has had a full offseason as QB1 and the RB position is healthier. 

7. South Carolina

Sellers and Dylan Stewart may become one of the best offense/defense duos in the SEC this season, and head coach Shane Beamer has done better than anyone at using the portal to sure up his defense.

8. Ole Miss

The Rebels will need to break in a brand new QB on an offense that lacks the playmakers of years past, but Kiffin is still a master at using the transfer portal to his advantage. They once again have a top three class

9. Auburn

Hugh Freeze’s team is still a year away from being a true contender, but the talent is undeniable on this team. Auburn may have the best unit of pass catchers in the league and feature a sneaky good pass rush.

10. Tennessee

Tennessee does not have a CFP roster the same way it did last season, especially with the loss of Iamaleava. Breaking in a new QB halfway through the offseason while already being thin offensively is recipe for a middling season.