Week 1 Power Rankings in the SEC

Ladies and gentlemen, after one of the longest offseasons in recent memory... we're back with this year's edition of my SEC power rankings! Now, before we get started, I want to go over one or two house rules for the rankings.

• A team that is undefeated cannot be ranked behind a team with a loss
• This is solely based on 2026, not preseason expectations after 2025

Now, let's get down to business (note: This week's ranking will also include whether or not each team covered their spread.)

1. #8 LSU (last week: won 51-10 vs Clemson)

Cover: Yes (-10.5)

Two things are certain with Lane Kiffin: drama and points. LSU fans got their first dosage of both, and then some, in Kiffin's first game as the head coach in Baton Rouge. The Tigers were one of only three teams in the conference to play a Power 4 team in week one, and they almost managed to score more points than both of the other teams to do so combined.

2. #9 Ole Miss (last week: won 41-38 vs #24 Louisville in Nashville)

Cover: No (-6.5)

It took LSU absolutely demolishing Clemson in week one to keep Ole Miss out of the #1 spot on this list, as the Rebels were the only team in the conference to both play and win against a ranked opponent. Trinidad Chambliss picked up right where he left off in 2025, and it looks like the highly anticipated week three matchup with the LSU Tigers will be just as good as advertised.

3. #4 University of Texas (last week: won 59-7 vs Texas State)

Cover: Yes (-30.5)

The Longhorns began their hunt for a national title with a dominant showing in week one. Arch Manning looks every bit as advertised in what is likely to be his final year in Austin, and his new running mate, Cam Coleman, seems primed to at least compete with Jeremiah Smith for the title of WR1 in the NFL draft.

4. #12 University of Alabama (last week: won 48-10 vs East Carolina)

Cover: Yes (-28.5)

The Crimson Tide broke in lots of new talent on both sides of the ball to begin the year. On offense, it started at the quarterback position as Keelon Russell began his career as Alabama's starter. He was joined by freshman E.J Crowell and several new starting offensive linemen. On defense, it was an almost entirely different front seven outside of star defensive linebacker Yhonzae Pierre, who caught a pick-6 against the Pirates.

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5. Auburn University (last week: won 17-16 vs Baylor in Atlanta)

Cover: No (-6.5)

The Alex Golesh era got off to a shaky, yet successful start in Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday. The team picked up where they left off on defense under defensive coordinator D.J Durkin, but the offense and quarterback Byrum Brown left much to be desired. The Tigers will have a week to clean things up against inferior competition before kicking off SEC play against Florida in week three.

6. #2 University of Georgia (last week: won 63-3 vs Tennessee State)

Cover: Yes (-46.5)

It is extremely likely that the Bulldogs are far better than the sixth team in the conference, but a light workload in week one hindered them slightly in the rankings. Georgia did exactly what they needed to on Saturday, dismantling an opponent that didn't belong on the field with them.

7. #11 Oklahoma University (last week: won 51-0 vs UTEP)

Cover: Yes (-41.5)

The Sooners did nothing short of handling their business to kick off the year on Friday night, manhandling and outclassing UTEP in preparation for their week two showdown with Michigan. The Sooners' defense is likely salivating after Bryce Underwood's lackluster performance, but the talent is still there, and it's still a big game.

8. University of South Carolina (last week: won vs Kent State 57-0)

Cover: Yes (-36.5)

South Carolina's head coach Shane Beamer almost certainly has the hottest seat in the conference going into the season, but the doubt will have to wait another week to creep in. The Gamecocks look phenomenal against Kent State on Saturday, especially along the new and improved offensive line. They will need to continue that high-level play if Lanorris Sellers wants to take the step into the SEC's elite.

9. #10 Texas A&M (last week: won 50-0 vs Missouri State)

Cover: Yes (-41.5)

There's not too much to recap regarding the Aggies' week one performance. Marcel Reed looked like the fantastic football player that he is, and this Mike Elko defense is yet again going to be a headache for teams all year long. Their first real test of the year comes in week two, as the Arizona State Sun Devils will make the trip to College Station, Texas.

10. # 23 University of Missouri (last week: won 54-14 vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff)

Cover: No (-55.5)

The Tigers of Columbia, Missouri, are the first team on this list to not play a Power 4 team and fail to cover, but that means little when the spread is north of 50. Austin Simmons looked surgical in his debut as a Tiger, albeit it was limited action against an inferior opponent. Much like the team above, Mizzou's first challenge of the year will come in week two, by way of their matchup with their rival, the Kansas Jayhawks.

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11. #18 University of Tennessee (last week: won 56-9 vs Furman)

Cover: Yes (-46.5)

It's going to take a lot from the Volunteers to climb into the upper echelon of these rankings, solely due to the fact that they will be starting a true freshman quarterback this year. However, that true freshman (Faizon Brandon) looked very good in his first career college start. The Vols will travel to Atlanta in week two for a Power 4 matchup with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

12. University of Florida (last week: won 66-21 vs Florida Atlantic)

Cover: Yes (-27.5)

The Gators began the John Sumrall era in Gainesville on Saturday, and not without some fireworks. Florida hung 66 points on their in-state opponent, and will yet again enjoy an easy start to their schedule with Campbell in week two. Sumrall's Gators' first test will come in week three when they head to Auburn to take on the Tigers.

13. Mississippi State University (last week: won 62-13 vs ULM)

Cover: Yes (-28.5)

I can't tell you if Mississippi State will be competitive in the SEC this year, but what I can tell you is that Kamario Taylor is really, really good at football. The first-year starter totaled over 400 total yards and five total touchdowns against the ULM Warhawks, and many believe he is the one who can return the Bulldogs of Starkville to a certain level of notoriety required to compete in the SEC.

14. University of Kentucky (last week: won 45-13 vs Youngstown State)

Cover: Yes (-23.5)

Kentucky fans were treated to the first win under new head coach Will Stein on Saturday, defeating FCS opponent Youngstown State in dominant fashion. While it wasn't the 50 or 60-point win that other teams in the conference put on, it was a good start to Stein's tenure in Lexington. Transfer quarterback Kenny Minchey showed flashes of excellence, totaling 300 yards and four touchdown passes. The Wildcats will have their hands full in week two, with the Crimson Tide of Alabama making their way to Kentucky.

15. Vanderbilt University (last week: won 28-9 vs Austin Peay)

Cover: No (-29.5)

Vanderbilt walked into week one with about as many questions as a 10-win team the year before could have. Most notably at the quarterback position, as they look to replace the man that drug the Commodores from mediocrity in Diego Pavia. Both Blaze Berlowitz and Jared Curtis took reps under center, but it is to be determined if either of them brings enough to the table to bring Vanderbilt back to another CFP discussion.

16. University of Arkansas (last week: won 31-17 vs North Alabama)

Cover: No (-40.5)

The Ryan Silverfield era in Fayetteville is officially underway, and the fans' excitement for the upcoming season is already in doubt. Despite the Razorbacks' 14-point victory on Saturday, it came against an opponent they were supposed to absolutely dominate. There's still lots of football left, but the games only get harder from here, especially with a road trip to face Utah in the cards for week two.