For the first time in a long time, the Oklahoma Sooners enter a season outside of the favorites to win the conference title. But such is life in the SEC, where the Georgia Bulldogs won back-to-back national titles and just missed the College Football Playoff in 2023.
And let’s not forget the Alabama Crimson Tide. Sure, Nick Saban is retired, but he’s still an influential voice in the program. New head coach Kalen DeBoer has had a lot of success at each step of his collegiate career. Alabama is still going to be Alabama.
Then there’s the Texas Longhorns, the SEC and national media darlings after making their first appearance in the playoff.
It’s a deep conference that features nine teams in the US LBM Coaches Poll, but how does the SEC stack up in CBS Sports preseason 1-134 rankings?
More: Which SEC team has the best helmet?
Alex Martin/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
SEC Rank: 1
The Georgia Bulldogs have been caught up in controversy this offseason. They recently dismissed transfer wide receiver RaRa Thomas and have more driving incidents. Still, Kirby Smart is arguably the best coach in college football and they have arguably the best roster in the sport.
Get more Georgia Bulldogs news, analysis and opinions on UGA Wire.
Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
SEC Rank: 2
Oh boy, here we go again. Texas is a good team with a good quarterback. Are they truly the second best team in the SEC, though? Not so sure about that.
Get more Texas Longhorns news, analysis and opinions on Longhorns Wire.
Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
SEC Rank: 3
Jalen Milroe rebounded from his early season struggles in 2023 to put together a nice season. Now with Kalen DeBoer, who helped Michael Penix become a top 10 pick in the NFL draft, Milroe has a chance for a breakout season.
Get more Alabama news, analysis and opinions on Roll Tide Wire.
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
SEC Rank: 4
The Ole Miss Rebels have a talented roster, but with all of the reliance on the transfer portal, can they pull it together?
Get more College Football news, analysis and opinions on College Sports Wire
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
SEC Rank: 5
Missouri upgraded its offensive line and have one of the better QB-WR duos in the conference with Luther Burden and Brady Cook.
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Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
SEC Rank: 6
Can the LSU defense get back to its standard? If so, then it’ll take a lot of pressure off of Garrett Nussmeier.
Get more LSU Tigers news, analysis and opinions on LSU Tigers Wire.
Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports
SEC Rank: 7
Nico Iamaleava is a good quarterback, but he hasn’t been asked to do a whole lot as a starting quarterback.
Get more Tennessee Volunteers news, analysis and opinions on Vols Wire
Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
SEC Rank: 8
The Oklahoma Sooners are going to surprise a lot of people in year one in the SEC.
Get more Oklahoma Sooners news, analysis and opinions on Sooners Wire
Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
SEC Rank: 9
So much of Texas A&M’s success will be dependent on Connor Weigman’s health. If he’s healthy, they’ll be a contender in the SEC.
Get more Texas A&M Aggies news, analysis and opinions on Aggies Wire
Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
SEC Rank: 10
Mark Stoops and the Wildcats have had just one losing season since 2016, and that came in the COVID year of 2020. Kentucky has a quarterback that a lot of people were high on coming out of high school in Brock Vandagriff.
Get more Kentucky Wildcats news, analysis and opinions on UK Wildcats Wire
Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
SEC Rank: 11
Hugh Freeze is a good coach and he’s recruiting well, but how quickly can he turn around the Tigers. Auburn took Alabama to the limit at the end of the 2023 season.
Get more Auburn Tigers news, analysis and opinions on Auburn Wire.
Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun
SEC Rank: 12
Florida is one of those teams that may be much better than their record indicates at the end of the season.
Get more Florida Gators news, analysis and opinions on Gators Wire.
Eakin Howard/Getty Images
SEC Rank: 13
LeNorris Sellers is one of those dual-threat quarterbacks who can elevate his team as long as he can take care of the football.
Get more College Football news, analysis and opinions on College Sports Wire
Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
SEC Rank: 14
Arkansas needs to reach bowl season for Sam Pittman to keep his job in Fayetteville.
Get more Arkansas Razorbacks news, analysis and opinions on Razorbacks Wire.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
SEC Rank: 15
Jeff Lebby’s offense will give the Bulldogs an opportunity to sneak up on some teams, but they’ll have to get a breakout season from Blake Shapen.
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Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
SEC Rank: 16
Vanderbilt has a lot of work to do get out of the doldrums of the SEC.
Get more College Football news, analysis and opinions on College Sports Wire
