The SEC was already considered by many to be the toughest conference in college football. Then, they added two of the nation’s top programs in Texas and Oklahoma to seemingly cement themselves at the top (unless you’re a Big 10 fan). With new additions and rising programs, this conference may be more competitive than it’s ever been. I truly believe that nine different teams from the SEC have a realistic chance to make this year’s College Football Playoff. However, there are plenty of question marks heading into 2024. Will unproven quarterbacks have what it takes to lead elite offenses? Will last season’s successes carry over? How will newcomers fit in to the conference’s established hierarchy? Here are my preseason power rankings for the SEC:
16. Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt has been at the bottom of the SEC for about a decade, and they simply don’t have the resources to change that. In the modern transfer portal, the Commodores lose some of their key players to bigger programs each offseason. This year, the outgoing transfers included defensive lineman Nate Clifton, receiver Will Sheppard, and quarterback AJ Swann. On the bright side, Vandy brought in one of their best ever transfer classes, including former New Mexico State quarterback Diego Pavia.
15. Arkansas
Arkansas is nearing crisis mode, with only two winning seasons since 2016. Head coach Sam Pittman likely needs to show major improvement to keep his job. It will be a tough task for Pittman as the Razorbacks lost both their quarterback and running back to the transfer portal. This defense gave up more points per game than any team in the SEC other than Vanderbilt last season, but they were able to secure key transfers on that side of the ball including linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr.
14. Mississippi State
After the tragic loss of Mike Leach, Mississippi State hired offensive-minded head coach Jeff Lebby. Lebby has led successful offenses at both Ole Miss and Oklahoma before taking over for the Bulldogs, and will attempt to fix what was the worst offense in the SEC last season. He will rely on former Baylor quarterback Blake Shapen to lead the attack. Shapen struggled to get the ball out on time during his time at Baylor, which could be an issue at Mississippi State considering this offensive line gave up 26 sacks last season.
13. Florida
If any college football head coach is on the hot seat heading into 2024, it’s Billy Napier. Napier has yet to produce a winning season in Gainesville, and Gator fans are none too pleased. Unfortunately, I don’t see things getting much better this season. Florida lost two of their best players in running back Trevor Etienne and edge rusher Princely Umanmielen to conference rivals through the transfer portal. While Florida did bring in a solid transfer class, I worry that a lack of star power will result in another disappointing season.
12. South Carolina
After an impressive 8-5 finish in 2022, South Carolina regressed last season, posting a 5-7 record and missing out on bowl eligibility. After the departure of quarterback Spencer Rattler for the NFL, redshirt freshman LaNorris Sellers will step in as the starter for the Gamecocks. I’m not completely sold on Sellers, but South Carolina did well to support him this offseason. Raheim “Rocket” Sanders transfers in from Arkansas in hopes of fixing what was by far the worst rushing attack in the conference last season.
11. Auburn
Hugh Freeze was unable to turn things around for Auburn in his first season with the team, leading them to yet another year with only six wins. Returning quarterback Payton Thorne is equipped with a revamped receiver room that should help him take a jump this season. Auburn added important pieces on the defensive front as well, including lineman Isaiah Raikes. With a relatively light schedule, especially early in the season, I expect the Tigers to finish at or above .500 for the first time this decade.
10. Kentucky
The Mark Stoops era at Kentucky has taken a turn for the worse in recent years as the Wildcats have finished 7-6 in each of the last two seasons. In each of those seasons, Kentucky was ranked in the AP top 20 before dropping off. Expectations are lower for 2024, as Kentucky has the 11th highest odds to win the SEC. The Wildcats return only 49% of last year’s production, but transfer quarterback Brock Vandagriff is expected to provide a spark to this offense. I expect another finish near .500 for this team.
9. Oklahoma
Brent Venables led his team to a 10-3 bounce back season after a terribly disappointing debut in 2022. That positive momentum may hit a wall as the Sooners face a much more difficult schedule heading into this year. With Dillon Gabriel gone for Oregon, Oklahoma will rely on sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold to take the reins of what was one of the nation’s top offenses last season. Venables has not quite delivered the defensive excellence that was expected when he arrived from Clemson, but D-line transfers Caiden Woullard and Damonic Williams should bring improvement. As I mentioned earlier, I believe that Oklahoma and every team above them on this list has a realistic chance to make the playoff.
8. LSU
Brian Kelly’s squad enters the year with the fifth highest odds to win the SEC. I don’t quite see it. Sure, the Tigers had the best offense in the country last year, but the key pieces of that offense are all in the NFL. Optimistic predictions rely heavily on the performance of Junior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier who has been decent at best in his limited playing time at LSU. An elite offensive line may be enough to carry this offense to competence. However, the offense isn’t my biggest concern. The Tigers’ defense was awful in 2023, giving up over 400 yards per game, and they didn’t do much to fix it. I’m pumping the brakes on the LSU hype train heading into this season.
7. Texas A&M
We can admit it, the Jimbo Fisher experiment in College Station was a failure. Jimbo was only able to produce two nine win seasons in his time with the Aggies, but if there’s one thing he did right, it’s recruiting. Texas A&M brought in the nation’s top recruiting class in 2022, and while some of those recruits have since transferred away, some are ready to step into major roles in 2024. The most notable of these recruits is former five star quarterback Conner Weigman, who is expected to be one of college football’s breakout stars this season. On the other side of the ball, transfer edge rusher Nic Scourton will lead a talented defense that was quietly effective in 2023. If new head coach Mike Elko can maximize the talent on this roster, the Aggies could be a surprise playoff team.
6. Missouri
Missouri was one of the most surprising teams in the country in 2023, finishing 11-2. The Tigers bring back a few of the stars from last year’s squad, including quarterback Brady Cook and receiver Luther Burden. While I’m excited about the potential of this offense, I do have some concerns on the defensive side. The Tigers lost some key players on defense to the draft, and didn’t do enough to replace them in my opinion. A mediocre defense could drag this team out of playoff contention.
5. Tennessee
The Tennessee Volunteers begin this season with one star player on each side of the ball. On offense, Nico Iamaleava is one of my favorite quarterbacks in the country. His impressive throwing ability will make talented receivers like Bro McCoy and Squirrel White shine. On defense, James Pearce Jr. will be one of the top players in college football this year, period. The talent around him, though, isn’t so elite. If the Vols’ offense can overshadow the defensive struggles that I expect, they could find themselves fighting for the top spot in the conference.
4. Alabama
Saban out; DeBoer in. It’s a new era in Tuscaloosa. The loss of the best college football coach in history has to hurt the Tide’s stock a bit, but Kalen DeBoer has done an impressive job of both retaining and acquiring players this offseason. Alabama managed to bring in the nation’s third ranked transfer class, according to 247Sports. Returning quarterback Jalen Milroe was able to recover from a frustrating start to last season, and is one of the most exciting quarterbacks in college football. Until proven otherwise, Alabama is still one of the nation’s elite programs.
3. Texas
Texas finally lived up to (dare I say exceeded?) expectations in 2023, making their way into the CFP with a series of impressive wins. As the Longhorns enter the SEC, they are expected to immediately compete for a conference championship. Texas lost plenty of key starters to the NFL over the offseason, but they have done more than enough to reload. The receiver room is almost completely made up of transfers, headlined by former Alabama star Isaiah Bond. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the best quarterback group in the country: Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning. Texas is too talented on offense and defense for me to put them any lower on my list.
2. Ole Miss
Lane Kiffin has been impressive thus far in his time at Ole Miss, producing two seasons with double-digit wins. This year, expectations are higher than ever. The Rebels return quarterback Jaxson Dart to lead what was one of the most explosive offenses in the conference in 2023. Ole Miss brought in the highest rated transfer class in the country, headlined by star defensive linemen Princely Umanmielen and Walter Nolen. Most experts have the Rebels at third in the conference behind Georgia and Texas heading into this season, but I believe this team has enough star power and experience to surprise people and finish as one of the top five teams in the country.
1. Georgia
The Bulldogs should be the clear favorite in the SEC heading into Week One. After missing out on the College Football Playoff due to an untimely loss to Alabama in the SEC title game, Georgia looks primed to retake the reigns of the conference this season. They bring back plenty of key starters on both sides of the ball, most notably quarterback Carson Beck. Beck may be the top QB prospect in the 2025 draft and has an abundance of weapons at his side at Georgia. This defense is loaded with top-end talent as well, including an elite pass rusher in Mikel Williams. With a 12 team playoff, it feels almost like a lock that the Bulldogs will secure a spot.
