SEC Football: Preseason 2026 Power Rankings

Fall practice for the 2026 college football season is underway, which means the start of the year with actual games in Week Zero on Aug. 29 and then again in Week 1 isn't far behind. With the '26 season right around the corner, it's time to power rank all 16 teams in the SEC. 

It’s a close call for the No. 1 spot between Georgia and Texas. The SEC also has a deep second tier of contenders, as Oklahoma, Texas A&M, LSU, Ole Miss, Alabama and Tennessee should all be in the mix for a playoff spot. There’s plenty of intrigue with the next set of teams, as Florida, South Carolina, Missouri and Auburn could be dark-horse contenders for a playoff run or a top-25 finish. Kentucky and Arkansas hope new coaches provide a spark after losing seasons in 2025, while Vanderbilt and Mississippi State aim to push for another bowl trip behind breakout quarterbacks.

How do the 16 teams in the conference stack up this fall? Athlon Sports power ranks the SEC teams for 2026.

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If the Razorbacks are to make a run at a bowl in coach Ryan Silverfield’s first year, fall practice is crucial to improve a defense that allowed 37.1 points a game in SEC play last season. The quarterback battle between KJ Jackson and AJ Hill is also set to resume.

New coach Will Stein and a standout transfer portal haul that includes quarterback Kenny Minchey (Notre Dame) and offensive linemen Lance Heard (Tennessee) and Coleton Price (Baylor) provide optimism for Kentucky to go bowling this year.

How much progression will true freshman quarterback Jared Curtis show this fall? The Commodores also need to make big strides on defense after giving up 5.9 yards per play in SEC games last year.

Rising star quarterback Kamario Taylor and an improved defense behind new coordinator Zach Arnett give coach Jeff Lebby the best setup of his tenure in Starkville.

The progression of an offensive line with five new starters will determine just how high the Tigers climb in coach Alex Golesh’s debut. Coordinator DJ Durkin also has several holes to fill, as preseason first-team Athlon Sports’ All-American linebacker Xavier Atkins is the only returning starter.

With running back Ahmad Hardy on the mend from a gunshot wound to his leg, coach Eli Drinkwitz will open fall practice with two clear priorities. A defense returning zero starters needs to mesh, and quarterback Austin Simmons must take a step forward in his development.

Coach Shane Beamer’s offseason reset for the offense should fully come into view this fall. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers is primed to rebound under new coordinator Kendal Briles, but the development of the offensive line is crucial. Defensive end Dylan Stewart is also on the mend from a back injury.

The Gators have a favorable schedule for new coach Jon Sumrall’s debut. Will Aaron Philo or Tramell Jones Jr. quickly emerge as the No. 1 quarterback this fall? Sumrall’s biggest concern at the end of spring practice revolved around the offensive line. Is this group primed for a step forward?

Will true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon use fall practice to pull away in the battle against George MacIntyre to start the opener? With Chaz Coleman no longer on the roster, Tennessee's pass rush — and the overall development of the defense under new coordinator Jim Knowles — is under the spotlight this fall.

The quarterback battle between Keelon Russell and Austin Mack is set to resume. However, the bigger concern for coach Kalen DeBoer is the progression of the offensive line and a rushing attack that averaged only 2.9 yards per carry in SEC play last season.

Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy are back to lead a dynamic Ole Miss offense. Fall practice is all about finding the right mix with new faces needing to emerge at receiver and at offensive tackle. Coach Pete Golding’s defense is also primed to take a big step forward in ‘26.

The Bayou Bengals have the pieces in place to contend for a College Football Playoff trip in coach Lane Kiffin’s first season in 2026. This fall is the last chance for Kiffin to mesh all of the new starters on both sides of the ball, especially on offense with quarterback Sam Leavitt back to full strength. The line needs to develop, and Kiffin must generate more production out of a sluggish ground game.

The Aggies should have one of the SEC’s top defenses, but if coach Mike Elko’s team wants to go beyond the first round of the College Football Playoff, the offense must answer a few key preseason concerns. New play-caller Holmon Wiggins is tasked with elevating quarterback Marcel Reed’s play, and four new starters must emerge on the offensive line.

Oklahoma’s defense is entrenched as one of the best in college football this season. But for the Sooners to make a deep playoff run, quarterback John Mateer has to take a step forward, and the rushing attack must show signs of life after averaging only 3.2 yards per carry in SEC games last year.

It’s no secret Texas underachieved with a 10-3 record last season. However, quarterback Arch Manning looks poised for a monster year after a strong finish to ‘25. Coach Steve Sarkisian added impact offensive transfers to support Manning in running backs Hollywood Smothers (NC State) and Raleek Brown (Arizona State), and receiver Cam Coleman (Auburn).

A loaded roster and a favorable schedule place the Bulldogs at No. 1 in the SEC. If quarterback Gunner Stockton takes a step forward, and new playmakers step up at receiver, Georgia could return to the top step of college football.