Fans only have to wait a few more weeks for the start of the most anticipated SEC season in history. The addition of Texas and Oklahoma makes the best conference one of the two super conferences. Add in the fact that the Longhorns are in the College Football Playoff and look to be one of the best teams in the SEC in 2024, and the anticipation is at an all-time high.
Fans of the old SEC powerhouses like Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee will be very interested in seeing how the new teams fare in the league. There are concerns that rivalries could be rekindled in College Station, too. Texas will rekindle an old rivalry with Arkansas and will undoubtedly get a new one, like LSU.
When the move to the SEC was announced a few years ago, Texas didn’t seem ready to compete, but fast forward to the present and the Horns look primed to win a conference title.
ESPN was one of the first to introduce weekly power rankings, and the network publishes a new version of its SEC Power Rankings every week.
Here are ESPN’s preseason SEC power rankings. It’s no surprise to see Georgia at the top, and some may be surprised to see Texas at No. 2. As a reminder, the Bulldogs and Longhorns meet on Oct. 19, one week after the Red River Shootout against OU.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart yells during spring training in Athens, Georgia, by Dale Zanin – USA TODAY Sports
ESPN reports: “The Bulldogs are the only college football team to finish in the top seven of the final Associated Press poll each of the past seven seasons.”
Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian greets defensive lineman Byron Murphy II (90) during Senior Night before the team’s game against Texas Tech at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Austin American-Statesman
ESPN reported, “The Longhorns are back, this time for real. Coach Steve Sarkisian has assembled enough talent to challenge Georgia, Alabama and others for the SEC title in his first year in the league.”
The Crimson Tide football team continued practice on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in preparation for the season opener and new head coach Cullen DeBoer’s first game. Coach DeBoer looks on as Alabama defensive back Alijah Maye (38) runs through a drill.
ESPN reports: “Kalen DeBoer has risen to the challenge of replacing the legendary Nick Saban, and the Crimson Tide are poised to return to the playoffs.”
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin watches the Ole Miss Grove Bowl Game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi.
Per ESPN: The Rebels are coming off a school-record 11 wins in 2023 and coach Lane Kiffin is positioned to climb even higher in the SEC standings, with quarterback Jackson Dart and a talented corps of receivers poised to become one of the most potent offensive lines in the league.
Missouri Tigers head coach Eliah Drinkwitz reacts during the fourth quarter of the team’s game against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium.
ESPN reports: “The Tigers surprised everyone in the SEC last year with 11 wins, and they will return with their dynamic pass-catching duo of Brady Cook and Luther Baden III.”
University of Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel during fall practice for the University of Tennessee football team in Knoxville, Tennessee.
ESPN reports: “After falling out of the national spotlight for much of the 2000s, Tennessee has returned to the top half of the SEC under coach Josh Heupel and is looking to make another leap.”
LSU Tigers coach Brian Kelly waves to fans during warmups before the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium. Stephen Lu – USA Today Sports
ESPN states, “The Tigers have a talented rotation on offense, but the question that remains heading into preseason camp is whether they can stop anyone on defense. If new coordinator Blake Baker makes the right call, the Tigers could be a favorite to make the CFP.”
University of Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables yells during the University of Oklahoma (OU) Sooners spring football game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma.
ESPN reports: “Brent Venables, entering his third year at OU, is pleased with his experience with a team where many players have been with the program for three years. The Sooners’ schedule in their first year in the SEC is tough, to say the least.”
Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko speaks at the Omni Dallas Hotel. Brett Patzke – USA TODAY Sports
ESPN states: Mike Elko’s hire wasn’t as flashy as former coach Jimbo Fisher’s, but the former Duke head coach may be better at developing talent and building a team. He led the Blue Devils to a 16-9 record in two seasons, which is no easy feat.
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops smiled as he walked onto the field before the Kentucky Wildcats’ Blue-White scrimmage at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky on Saturday afternoon.
ESPN reports: Mark Stoops is the head of the SEC coaching staff and is in his 11th year at Kentucky. He has two 10-win seasons in the past five seasons but is trying to rebuild after going 7-6 last year and nearly being hired as Texas A&M’s coach.
Auburn University Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze disputes a refereeing call during the first quarter of the game against the New Mexico State Aggies at Jordan-Hare Stadium. By John Reid – USA TODAY Sports
ESPN reports: “The Tigers suffered heartbreaking losses to Alabama and Georgia, the SEC’s two biggest teams, last year in coach Hugh Freeze’s first season, and they’re expected to be even more explosive in the passing game this season.”
Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier watches fall football practice at the University of Florida’s Heavener Football Complex in Gainesville, Fla. Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun
ESPN reports: “After his team went 11-14 over the past two seasons, it feels like now is the time for Gators coach Billy Napier. If the Gators don’t dramatically improve defensively (they are allowing 33.6 points per game in conference play), they may once again be searching for a new head coach.”
Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman in the fourth quarter against the Missouri Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Missouri won, 48-14. Nelson Shenault – USA TODAY Sports
ESPN reports: “Most Arkansas fans want Sam Pittman to succeed, and whether former Hogs head coach Bobby Petrino can retool the offense could determine whether Pittman returns beyond 2024.”
South Carolina Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer reacts after receiver Xavier Leggett (17) was taken down by Clemson Tigers cornerback Nate Wiggins (not pictured) during a play in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Ken Luinard – USA TODAY Sports
ESPN reports: “South Carolina won every year of coach Shane Beamer’s first two years at Columbia before dropping to 4-8 last season. First-year starting quarterback Lanoris Sellers shows promise, but the battle at the line of scrimmage will be key for South Carolina.”
Mississippi State head coach Jeff Levy speaks at the Omni Dallas Hotel. Brett Patzke – USA TODAY Sports
According to ESPN: “Jeff Levy is Mississippi State’s third head coach in three years, and he has been an explosive offense all over the place. The Bulldogs are looking to quarterback Blake Shapen, a transfer from Baylor, to help revive an offense that was 107th nationally in scoring last season.
Vanderbilt University head coach Clark Lea watches his players warm up during an NCAA college football practice in Nashville, Tennessee.
ESPN reports: Clark Lea returns as the defense’s lead play-caller, and it will be exciting to see what transferred quarterback Diego Pavia (New Mexico State) can bring to the offensive line after the Commodores have won just three SEC games over the past five seasons.
