Breaking News:Early SEC Reveals Shocking Football Predictions for 2025
For the second year in a row, a team from the SEC didn’t play for or win college football’s national championship. While the 2024 season was a year for the SEC to reload, the ’25 outlook looks promising for the conference to return to the top of college football. Texas and Georgia are back as national title contenders in the way-too-early power rankings, with LSU, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, Florida, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M all checking in as likely playoff candidates.
On paper, the (very) early strength of the conference is its depth. In addition to having national championship contenders in Georgia and Texas, along with several playoff-caliber teams, Auburn and Oklahoma are likely to improve in ’25, with Missouri poised to push for another season of double-digit victories if its transfer class hits. Vanderbilt and Arkansas will be tough outs in conference play, while both Kentucky and Mississippi State should challenge for bowl eligibility.
It’s never too early to think about predictions or rankings for the 2025 college football season. With that in mind, Athlon provides its very early power rankings for the SEC for 2025:
Early SEC Predictions for 2025
Texas Longhorns QB Arch Manning.
Texas Longhorns QB Arch Manning
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
1. Texas
The Arch Manning era begins in Austin next season. With Quinn Ewers off to the NFL, Manning takes control of coach Steve Sarkisian’s high-powered offense that will be navigating some significant turnover. Ryan Wingo’s development is huge on the outside, but the Longhorns must replace their top three receiving targets from ‘24. The return of CJ Baxter after missing all of ‘24 due to injury is significant with Jaydon Blue off to the NFL. A revamped offensive line is Sarkisian’s biggest concern around Manning. Reloading in the defensive trenches is also a priority, but the return of rising star end Colin Simmons (nine sacks in ‘24) and linebacker Anthony Hill provide two building blocks for coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski.
Related: College Football’s Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2025
2. Georgia
The Bulldogs have a few major question marks to address entering 2025, but coach Kirby Smart should find the right answers to get this team back to Atlanta to contend for its third SEC title in four years. Gunner Stockton is the frontrunner at quarterback after a solid showing in relief of Carson Beck in the Sugar Bowl loss to Notre Dame. For Stockton to thrive next fall, the Bulldogs need improved play from the offensive line and more consistency out of the ground attack. Also, cutting down on the dropped passes by receivers is a must. Georgia’s defense is facing significant turnover, but Smart and coordinator Glenn Schumann should find a way to keep this unit near the top of the SEC.
3. LSU
Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is back after considering an early jump to the NFL. Also, with major personnel losses surrounding both groups, coach Brian Kelly reloaded up front and in the receiving corps in the transfer portal. If the Tigers keep the offense performing at a high level, to go with defensive improvement, contending for the SEC title is within reach. Similar to the offense, Kelly dipped into the portal for help on defense. Optimism is high for coordinator Blake Baker to improve this unit with another offseason to work with the pieces in place. Linebacker Harold Perkins is set to return after missing most of ‘24 due to injury.
4. Alabama
Alabama WR Ryan Williams returns after a standout freshman season in 2024.
Alabama WR Ryan Williams returns after a standout freshman season in 2024.
Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
The Crimson Tide weren’t bad (9-4) in coach Kalen DeBoer’s debut but another season of missing the College Football Playoff certainly wouldn’t sit well in Tuscaloosa. If Alabama is going to return to the playoff in ‘25, coach Kalen DeBoer has to find a new quarterback – either Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, or freshman Keelon Russell – with Jalen Milroe off to the NFL. With the offense in transition, a defense that allowed 17.4 points a game in ‘24 and returns the bulk of the contributors should be the strength of the team early in the ‘25 season.
5. Tennessee
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava returns after a solid freshman season (2,616 passing yards and 19 TDs) to anchor Tennessee’s team in ‘25. The California native has even more pressure on his right arm with running back Dylan Sampson off to the NFL and the Volunteers navigating turnover at receiver and on the offensive line. The defense has made major strides under coordinator Tim Banks, and despite having a few holes to fill, this unit should be a strength once again. Standout cornerback Jermod McCoy is on the mend after suffering a torn ACL in early January.
6. South Carolina
The Gamecocks were one of college football’s hottest teams at the end of the ‘24 season. Carrying that momentum into ‘25 won’t be easy, but coach Shane Beamer’s squad is primed for another run at the College Football Playoff. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers will continue to improve in his second year as the team’s starter, with the promotion of Mike Shula to coordinator ensuring continuity from former play-caller Dowell Loggains. Utah State transfer Rahsul Faison was a key get from the portal to replace running back Rocket Sanders. South Carolina needs to continue to improve up front and at receiver to help Sellers reach his potential. Coordinator Clayton White has holes to fill at every level on defense. However, end Dylan Stewart (10.5 TFL) returns after a monster freshman season.
Related: College Football’s Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2025
7. Florida
Quarterback DJ Lagway’s development is a big reason why Florida can contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff in 2025. The Gators should also have a strong rushing attack with Ja’Kobi Jackson and Jadan Baugh returning, while Eugene Wilson III and UCLA transfer J. Michael Sturdivant headline a solid receiving corps. Center Jake Slaughter returns to anchor one of the SEC’s top offensive lines next fall. Florida showed big-time improvement on defense in the second half of ‘24 and should carry that into ‘25 with the bulk of the depth chart returning.
8. Ole Miss
Ole Miss has won 21 games over the last two seasons under coach Lane Kiffin.
Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
The Rebels are facing significant turnover on both sides of the ball, but coach Lane Kiffin’s work in the portal should keep this team in the hunt for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Included in the 2025 transfer haul are impact additions in receiver De’Zhaun Stribling (Oklahoma State), tight end Luke Hasz (Arkansas), offensive lineman Patrick Kutas (Arkansas), defensive lineman Princewill Umanmielen (Nebraska), linebacker Andrew Jones (Grambling), and defensive backs Sage Ryan (LSU) and Jaylon Braxton (Arkansas). Quarterback Austin Simmons is one of the SEC’s top rising stars for ‘25.
9. Texas A&M
Texas A&M was in contention for a spot in the SEC Championship Game deep into November but stumbled in coach Mike Elko’s first season with losses in four out of the team’s final five games. The development of quarterback Marcel Reed is crucial to the program’s hopes of a step forward in ‘25, and the Aggies have three potential impact transfers on the way to address the biggest weakness for the offense. The offensive line and backfield should be among the best in the SEC. Restocking a defensive line losing Nic Scourton, Shemar Turner, and Shemar Stewart, along with addressing an inconsistent pass defense, are the top offseason priorities on defense for Elko.
10. Missouri
The Tigers lost several key pieces off a squad that won 21 games over the last two years, including quarterback Brady Cook, receiver Luther Burden III, offensive lineman Armand Membou, and defensive lineman Johnny Walker IV. However, coach Eli Drinkwitz reloaded his ‘25 team through the portal and a favorable schedule should allow Missouri to push for another top-25 finish. Penn State transfer Beau Pribula needs to emerge at quarterback, while a handful of portal additions boost a defense losing a key group of seniors.
11. Auburn
Auburn could be the most-improved team in the SEC next year. Oklahoma transfer quarterback Jackson Arnold should be a good fit in coach Hugh Freeze’s offense, and the Tigers have one of the nation’s top receiving corps in place with the return of Cam Coleman and the arrival of Georgia Tech receiver Eric Singleton. Coordinator DJ Durkin has a few holes to plug on defense. However, standout edge rusher Keldric Faulk is back, and portal additions up front and in the secondary addressed a couple of key needs this offseason.
Related: College Football’s Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2025
12. Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables enters 2025 on the hot seat.
© Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
2025 could be a make-or-break year for Oklahoma coach Brent Venables. The Sooners posted their second losing record (6-7) in three seasons under Venables in ‘24 and lost three SEC contests by 20 or more points. Major improvement is needed on offense after this unit averaged only 24 points a game last season. New coordinator Ben Arbuckle and quarterback John Mateer arrive from Washington State with a ton of pressure to produce right away. After injuries and inexperience hit the receiving corps and offensive line in ‘24, both positions should be in better shape next fall. The Sooners finished No. 13 nationally in defensive success rate last season and this side of the ball should be a strength once again with lineman R Mason Thomas, linebacker Kip Lewis, and cornerback Eli Bowen returning.
13. Vanderbilt
The Commodores were one of the most improved teams in the SEC last season. Taking another step forward in the standings is within reach, as quarterback Diego Pavia returns after guiding the team to an upset win over Alabama and a 7-6 overall mark. He’s joined by standout tight end Eli Stowers, running back Sedrick Alexander, as well as a couple of portal additions to fortify the offensive line. Coach Clark Lea’s decision to handle the defensive play-calling duties paid off in a big way, as the Commodores allowed 23.4 points a game, down from 36.2 in ‘23. This unit returns enough to aim for more improvement next fall.
14. Arkansas
A 7-6 record and a bowl victory over Texas Tech cooled a bit of the pressure on coach Sam Pittman headed into ‘25. But for the Razorbacks to take another step forward in the SEC, quarterback Taylen Green needs a huge year in the second season under coordinator Bobby Petrino. Also, Arkansas needs its defense – especially the secondary – to improve after giving up 27.4 points in SEC play. Pittman is counting on several transfers on both sides of the ball and needs major contributions from the newcomers at receiver, offensive line, and in the defensive backfield.
15. Kentucky
With just seven SEC wins over the last three seasons and a disappointing 4-8 mark in ‘24, the pressure is building on coach Mark Stoops. Improving an offense that managed only 20.6 points a game last year is a priority this offseason. Transfer quarterback Zach Calzada returns to the SEC after stints at Auburn, Texas A&M, and Incarnate Word to push Cutter Boley for the starting nod this offseason. Stoops also restocked the backfield, receiving corps, and offensive line through the portal. Kentucky’s defense has regressed over the last two seasons and enters spring practice looking to replace a handful of key players, including lineman Deone Walker and linebackers J.J. Weaver, Jamon Dumas-Johnson, and D’Eryk Jackson.
16. Mississippi State
The Bulldogs should improve in coach Jeff Lebby’s second season after a winless record (0-8) in SEC play to go with a 2-10 mark overall in ‘24. Lebby and his staff hit the portal hard for help on both sides of the ball. The impact of transfers should be felt right away on a porous defense (34.1 points a game allowed), along with a receiving corps and backfield that needed new playmakers to support quarterback Blake Shapen.
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By Steven Lassan
Senior college football editor for AthlonSports.com and the Athlon Sports College Football Preview magazine. Co-host of the Cover 2 college football podcast.
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