The SEC hasn’t won a championship in the past three seasons. As college football enters this new season, a new power ranking has revealed which program might surprise and which disappoint. 

This On3 ranking is based on factors such as “overall team strength, transfer additions, coaching acquisitions, depth, experience, offseason attrition (including injuries), and proven players at key positions such as quarterback.”

Out of all the conference teams, the Texas Longhorns are ranked at No.1. Writer Chris Low noted that despite missing the playoffs recently, the Longhorns are still a force to be reckoned with. 

“The Longhorns started the season a year ago ranked No. 1 in the AP preseason poll and missed the playoff. This could be Steve Sarkisian’s most talented team yet,” he reported on June 9. 

In a conversation with On 3 this spring, head coach Steve Sarkisian praised the players he has, both in primary and secondary, across all positions. This crowning jewel, however, is star quarterback Arch Manning.

The youngest of the Manning family, a football royalty, he is returning for his sophomore year as a starter. The QB ended the 2025 season with 3,163 passing yards and a whopping 26 passing touchdowns. Already a highly sought-after prospect, Manning’s NFL draft and debut are a coveted topic. 

His freshman year ended with a minor foot injury after he sustained a concussion in October. He was limited in spring practice, but reports suggest that he is recovering well. Manning had started the 2025 season after facing similar medical issues in the year before it. 

“He rebounded nicely after a rough start a year ago and could be the top pick in the 2027 NFL draft.” Low noted.  

He also mentioned other noteworthy players on this team, like Colin Simmons, one of the top pass-rushers. Transfers Cam Coleman from Auburn and Rasheem Biles from Pittsburgh bring value as a top receiver and defender, respectively. 

Low opines that the program’s most important offseason acquisition is defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. The Longhorns appear to have the pieces to become a winning team. So, where do the other teams stand?

Chris Low’s Power Ranking Of The Remaining 15 SEC Teams

In On3’s power ranking of the teams most likely to win a championship this season, Chris Low placed the Georgia Bulldogs at No.2, followed by the Ole Miss Rebels, the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas A&M Aggies.

These top-five programs have commendable quarterbacks who have supportive running backs or defensive players to elevate the team's performance. QBs Gunner Stockton,  Trinidad Chambliss, John Mateer and Marcel Reed are all to be watched out for.

The list continues with the LSU Tigers, Alabama Crimson Tide, Tennessee Volunteers, Florida Gators, South Carolina, Missouri Tigers, Vanderbilt Commodores, Auburn Tigers, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Kentucky Wildcats, with the Arkansas Razorbacks ranked at the bottom. 

Despite best guesses, college football can be widely unpredictable. Fans would soon find out how well this ranking holds up. Till then, share your guesses with us in the comments.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar