2026 SEC Preview: Georgia Remains Top Dog in Deepest Conference

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For the subsequent few weeks, I’ll share my preview of each faculty soccer convention, offering my present energy scores and projected win totals for every faculty, whereas additionally providing my favourite bets in every.

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Right this moment’s convention is the SEC, which has seen Georgia win the convention in back-to-back seasons. Highlighted by the return of quarterback Gunner Stockton, that is Kirby Good’s most skilled staff in his 11-year tenure in Athens. It is a large motive why I am selecting the Georgia Bulldogs to three-peat within the SEC.

Learn on for the remainder of my 2026 SEC preview and greatest bets.

2026 SEC greatest bets

Georgia to win the SEC

+290 at FanDuel

I gave out Georgia Bulldogs Over 9.5 wins as one in every of my win complete greatest bets approach again within the spring. Their win complete is now as much as 10.5 at FanDuel. Proper now, I feel extra worth lies in betting Georgia to win the SEC.

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Georgia ranks No. 8 in Invoice Connelly’s returning manufacturing, which is the most effective mark within the Good period. The Bulldogs return beginning QB Gunner Stockton and 16 of their 21 defenders who logged not less than 150 snaps final 12 months.

Even in back-to-back “down seasons” in comparison with latest Georgia groups, the Bulldogs have managed to win the SEC Championship every year. I feel this 12 months’s staff is best personnel-wise and has a better slate.

My scores mission Georgia to be favored in each recreation, together with 10 video games by greater than a landing. They will simply make their ninth SEC championship recreation in 10 years and can possible be favored within the recreation.

Guess to +250.

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Oklahoma Over 7.5 wins

-148 at DraftKings

I feel this 12 months’s Oklahoma Sooners staff is best than final 12 months’s staff that received 10 video games and made the playoffs.

Oklahoma returns an SEC-best 14 starters from final 12 months, together with John Mateer at quarterback. Keep in mind, Mateer was the Heisman odds favourite previous to breaking his hand within the fourth recreation of the season.

The Sooners additionally return their main rusher and main receiver, and have 97 mixed begins on the offensive line. 

On the opposite facet of the ball, the Sooners’ defensive position is without doubt one of the greatest within the nation, and the linebackers have been boosted by Owen Heinicke getting one other 12 months of eligibility.

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I mission Oklahoma to be favored in 9 video games, and all of these are by greater than 3.5 factors. Their three underdog roles are at Michigan, at Georgia, and vs. Texas. I feel Oklahoma is dwell within the Michigan recreation, because the Sooners simply beat the Wolverines final 12 months.

Guess to -170.

Florida Beneath 7.5 wins

-156 at DraftKings

I really like the Jon Sumrall rent, and I actually just like the teaching workers he assembled, particularly new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner.

I’ve upgraded the Florida Gators 5 factors in my energy scores. So why are we betting the Beneath right here? Just like the previous couple of seasons, Florida performs one of many hardest schedules within the nation.

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My scores have the Gators listed as an underdog in six video games. 4 of their favourite roles are by six factors or much less.

The Gators must pull off a number of upsets and handle enterprise in each shut favourite position to go Over 7.5 wins. With a questionable quarterback scenario and never a really deep depth chart, I’ve severe doubts about Florida doubling their four-win complete from final 12 months.

Guess to -175.

Different 2026 SEC staff previews

Cited faculty soccer win totals and odds courtesy of FanDuel as of 8-6.

Alabama

Win complete projection: 8.5

Win complete: 8.5 (Over -128)

I just like the upside of latest quarterback Keelon Russell a lot that I gave him out as my favourite Heisman long-shot.

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I feel the schedule is favorable. The Crimson Tide don’t play Texas, Oklahoma, or Mississippi. Additionally they host each Georgia and Texas A&M, and my scores mission them to be favored in 10 video games. I like Over 8.5 wins.

Arkansas

Win complete projection: 4.4

Win complete: 3.5 (Over -160)

Regardless of a 2-10 file final 12 months, Arkansas had optimistic yards per play and yards per recreation margins. That often bodes properly for the next 12 months.

Nonetheless, it is a model new workers and roster. My energy scores mission the Razorbacks to be underdogs in 10 video games. Nonetheless, this win complete has been wager down from 4.5 to three.5. On the present line, I’d lean Over.

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Auburn

Win complete projection: 6.7

Win complete: 6.5 (Over -118)

I am impartial on the Alex Golesh rent. It will likely be attention-grabbing to see how all his South Florida transfers do in opposition to more durable competitors. Auburn has had 5 straight seven-loss seasons. Lean Beneath 6.5 wins.

Kentucky

Win complete projection: 4.7

Win complete: 4.5 (Over -130)

I just like the power of latest head coach Will Stein, however I wasn’t thrilled along with his coordinator hires.

The Wildcats solely return six starters and play one of many hardest schedules within the nation. My scores mission them to be underdogs in 10 video games. I like Beneath 4.5 wins.

LSU

Win complete projection: 7.8

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Win complete: 8.5 (Beneath -114)

I’ve upgraded the Tigers’ energy ranking a landing from final 12 months. Nonetheless, I feel the expectations for brand new head coach Lane Kiffin and his No. 1-rated switch portal class are unrealistic.

I’ve wager Beneath 9.5 wins, and my scores nonetheless like Beneath 8.5 wins.

Mississippi State

Win complete projection: 4.7

Win complete: 4.5 (Over -128)

My scores solely mission the Bulldogs to be favored in two video games (vs. UL-Monroe and Tennessee Tech). Nonetheless, quarterback Kamario Taylor makes them harmful to tug an upset every week. Lean Beneath 4.5 wins.

Missouri

Win complete projection: 6.4

Win complete: 6.5 (Over -115)

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The Tigers misplaced a school-record six gamers to the NFL Draft. They nonetheless return the most effective working again duo within the nation in Ahmad Hardy and Jamal Roberts.

My scores are close to the posted win complete. Lean Beneath 6.5 wins.

Mississippi

Win complete projection: 8.2

Win complete: 8.5 (Beneath -150)

The return of quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and working again Kewan Lacy ought to ease the transition to new head coach Pete Golding.

My energy scores mission Mississippi to be favored in 9 video games (exceptions at Texas, Georgia, at Oklahoma). Nonetheless, this win complete has been wager up from 7.5. I’d lean Beneath 8.5 wins.

South Carolina

Win complete projection: 7.1

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Win complete: 6.5 (Beneath -120)

I feel the Gamecocks are flying beneath the radar this 12 months after a 4-8 season.

They’ve upgraded at offensive coordinator with the rent of Kendall Briles. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers returns for one more season. I lean Over 6.5 wins.

Tennessee

Win complete projection: 7.6

Win complete: 7.5 (Over -120)

It seems to be like Tennessee will likely be beginning true freshman Faizon Brandon at quarterback. He has loads of expertise round him on offense. Can the protection study new coordinator Jim Knowles’ sophisticated schemes rapidly?

Tennessee has topped this win complete in every of the final 4 years. Lean Over 7.5 wins.

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Texas

Win complete projection: 9.1

Win complete: 9.5 (Beneath -142)

The Longhorns didn’t dwell as much as preseason expectations final 12 months (preseason No. 1). This 12 months, I feel the excessive expectations are extra warranted with quarterback Arch Manning having extra expertise.

Texas does play my hardest schedule within the nation. Whereas my scores mission them to be favored in 11 video games (vs. Ohio State being the exception), 4 of these favourite roles are by lower than seven factors. Lean Beneath 9.5 wins.

Texas A&M

Win complete projection: 8.3

Win complete: 8.5 (Beneath -138)

Texas A&M misplaced a school-record 10 gamers to the NFL Draft, together with seven on the line of scrimmage.

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I am not a giant believer of quarterback Marcel Reed, who threw 4 interceptions and nil touchdowns within the remaining two video games final 12 months. Lean Beneath 8.5 wins.

Vanderbilt

Win complete projection: 6.3

Win complete: 5.5 (Over -140)

The Commodores are coming off the most effective season in class historical past, however they misplaced arguably the highest participant in class historical past in quarterback Diego Pavia.

They’re beginning a real freshman at quarterback. I wager Beneath 6.5 wins early this offseason, however would lean Over 5.5 wins at present.

2026 energy scores for SEC groups

Whereas the Huge Ten might have received the final three Nationwide Championships, the SEC stays the deepest convention in faculty soccer. Eleven SEC groups are in my preseason High 25, together with seven within the High 15.

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Two-time defending SEC champion Georgia tops the checklist. Keep in mind, that is essentially the most skilled staff Kirby Good has had in his 11 years in Athens. 

Texas’ roster might have extra upside than Georgia, however the Longhorns are counting on 12 transfers who have been starters elsewhere final season. Head coach Steve Sarkisian has additionally come up quick three straight occasions vs. Georgia.

Lower than one level separates Oklahoma, Mississippi, Texas A&M, and Alabama in my energy scores. Although Alabama is the lowest-rated of the group, the Crimson Tide have the best SEC schedule, and I feel they’re almost certainly to make the playoffs of that bunch.

Odds to win 2026 SEC Championship

Odds courtesy of FanDuel as of 8-6.

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