One other nationwide championship recreation got here and went with none participation from the SEC. For the primary time in years and years, the convention will head into the common season behind the Massive Ten within the hypothetical rating of the Energy 4 leagues.
Issues appear poised to vary. Whereas the Massive Ten has a number of powerhouse groups, no Bowl Subdivision convention can match the depth of contenders the SEC will deliver to the desk.
This checklist consists of Texas, Georgia, LSU, Alabama and Tennessee. Different groups with real Faculty Soccer Playoff hopes embody Texas A&M, Florida and Mississippi.
And simply behind this prime group are a number of groups greater than able to double-digit wins and playoff competition. Auburn, South Carolina and Oklahoma may upend the established order and be one of many three or 4 SEC groups to make the 12-team playoff area.
Right here’s our pre-spring SEC energy rankings, led by the Longhorns:
1. Texas
Arch Manning takes the controls after backing up Quinn Ewers. To get his recreation going, the Longhorns need to rebuild a receiver corps dinged by commencement and attrition. One other sticking level is a defensive entrance that gained’t have the identical manufacturing alongside the inside. General, although, Texas is constructed to win the SEC and the nationwide championship.
2. Georgia
Georgia should get issues going within the working recreation to assist Gunner Stockton thrive because the full-time starter. He performed pretty effectively in reduction of Carson Beck however stays a query mark. There are additionally some positions to fill on the defensive facet however the Bulldogs’ observe file below Kirby Sensible eases any main issues over that facet of the ball. As soon as once more, Georgia is a serious menace to win the entire thing.
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3. LSU
Perhaps LSU hasn’t earned the good thing about the doubt below Brian Kelly. However it’s important to admire the gathering of expertise on offense with Garrett Nussmeier at quarterback and portal additions set to occupy large roles at receiver and up entrance. What LSU wants is a giant step up on protection, and there’s motive to assume that’s a chance given one other offseason to get snug in coordinator Blake Baker’s system.
4. Tennessee
Nico Iamaleava has to take management of the offense with adjustments at working again, receiver and the road. Enchancment from the second-year starter will assist Tennessee bridge the hole as new faces break into the beginning lineup. Within the interim, the Volunteers can lean on a protection that ought to once more be top-of-the-line within the SEC.
5. Alabama
A fairly depressing debut for Kalen DeBoer ought to yield a extra constant exhibiting in 2025 even when the Crimson Tide will miss quarterback Jalen Milroe’s explosiveness as a runner and within the downfield passing recreation. Ty Simpson is the favourite to step into Milroe’s sneakers as the brand new starter. What it’s important to like about this group is a protection that carried a lot of the load in 2024 and stands able to do the identical come September.
6. Florida
Amazingly, given the place this program stood final October, the Gators are a reliable playoff contender able to enjoying for the SEC crown. The offense has a rising star in quarterback DJ Lagway and can profit from switch additions that features former UCLA receiver J. Michael Sturdivant. If the protection continues to progress after final 12 months’s in-season enchancment, the hype round Florida shall be greater than justified.
7. Mississippi
As soon as once more, Mississippi will lean on a robust portal class to remain close to the highest of the SEC. However the losses are extreme sufficient to surprise if Lane Kiffin’s recruiting haul shall be sufficient to maintain the Rebels within the combine. Kiffin will get the good thing about the doubt. Austin Simmons flashed in his transient alternatives at quarterback. He’ll be requested to fill the large sneakers of Jaxson Dart.
8. Auburn
After a really first two seasons below Hugh Freeze, Auburn is able to add a number of wins and doubtlessly issue into the SEC race. Oklahoma quarterback switch Jackson Arnold will profit from the change in surroundings, particularly with Cam Coleman and Georgia Tech switch Eric Singleton on the skin. Whether or not that is an eight-win group or one thing extra depends upon the work coordinator DJ Durkin does with this protection.
9. Texas A&M
A&M will proceed to problem for the SEC championship recreation however can’t be counted among the many greatest within the convention given the query marks on the line of defense and within the secondary. Mike Elko’s defensive background helps erase among the doubts lingering across the Aggies’ protection, nonetheless. A&M wants quarterback Marcel Reed to proceed his growth.
10. South Carolina
There are holes all around the protection – nearly in every single place besides at finish, the place sophomore Dylan Stewart is about for All-America accolades. There are additionally query marks in regards to the offense with Mike Shula changing former coordinator Dowell Loggins. If issues click on, the Gamecocks may construct on final 12 months’s nine-win end and transfer even larger within the US LBM Coaches Ballot.
11. Oklahoma
This could possibly be the breakout group within the SEC if the offense thrives below a pair of additives from Washington State in coordinator Ben Arbuckle and quarterback John Mateer. The Sooners desperately have to rebuild at large receiver and keep wholesome up entrance. If the offense rebounds, Oklahoma has the protection to be one of the crucial balanced groups within the convention.
12. Missouri
Search for Missouri to learn from one other comparatively straightforward schedule to win eight or extra video games and contend for a house within the High 25. The Tigers open with six video games in a row at residence and draw SEC highway video games towards Auburn, Vanderbilt, Oklahoma and Arkansas. However is there extra to this group than simply a better schedule? The expertise degree has dropped regardless of one other strong journey by way of the portal for coach Eli Drinkwitz.
13. Vanderbilt
A repeat bowl bid appears very probably given the return of quarterback Diego Pavia and the best way the protection has risen up the SEC rankings after coach Clark Lea’s choice to take over play-calling duties. Pavia is joined on offense by working again Sedrick Alexander and all-conference tight finish Eli Stowers.
14. Arkansas
It’s exhausting to take Arkansas too critically given the quantity of uncertainty on the depth chart, particularly on protection. The offense ought to be higher in coordinator Bobby Petrino’s second 12 months, with quarterback Taylen Inexperienced set for noticeable enchancment because the established starter. At this level, this system’s place below Sam Pittman is fairly straightforward to foretell: Arkansas will win as few as 4 however not more than seven video games.
15. Kentucky
The Wildcats are in a transparent state of regression. Is that this the 12 months the underside actually falls out for coach Mark Stoops’ program? It wouldn’t be Kentucky with out a new switch quarterback; this time, it’s former Texas A&M, Auburn and Incarnate Phrase passer Zach Calzada. The protection is a serious concern given the losses from final 12 months’s unit, which ranked thirteenth within the SEC in yards allowed per play.
16. Mississippi State
On the flip facet to the controversy over which group ought to lead the SEC, there’s little controversy over which group ought to deliver up the rear. Mississippi State continues to be in search of a convention win below coach Jeff Lebby. One bonus for the Bulldogs: Blake Shapen returns after beginning the primary 4 video games at quarterback earlier than a season-ending damage.
This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: SEC energy rankings with faculty soccer spring follow beginning
