SEC Power Rankings: Week 1

Katie Borchetta, Associate Sports Editor

August 29, 2024

Head coach Steve Sarkisian yells at Texas players during the Allstate Sugar Bowl game against Washington on Jan. 1, 2024.

Georgia: The Bulldogs currently sit on top of both the AP Poll and AFCA Coaches Polls after finishing their season with an impressive 63-3 win over Florida State in the Orange Bowl. Georgia’s roster will have multiple returning players alongside senior quarterback and Heisman Trophy contender, Carson Beck.
Texas: After making it to the College Football Playoff last season and winning its first conference championship in over a decade, Texas is ranked fourth in the AP Poll, its highest preseason ranking since 2009. Despite the departure of several powerful playmakers, Texas will look to new leadership in sophomore linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., senior defensive back Barryn Sorrell and junior quarterback Quinn Ewers.
Alabama: The Crimson Tide will be coming back this season with a vengeance. The team currently sits behind the Longhorns in the No. 5 spot on the preseason AP Poll, after only giving up only one game to Texas before falling in the Rose Bowl to Michigan last season 27-20.
Ole Miss: The Rebels concluded their 2023 season with an impressive 11–2 record. As the 2024 campaign is about to begin, Ole Miss ranks sixth on the preseason AP Poll. Junior defensive tackle Walter Nolen, one of the top transfer portal players, is set to make a substantial impact to the Rebels, while redshirt senior wide receiver Antwane Wells Jr. and redshirt senior running back Ulysses Bentley IV will be impactful on the offensive front.
Missouri: Missouri finished the 2023 campaign with a 11–2 record. The 2024 squad hopes to grow from last year’s team with graduate student quarterback Brady Cook and junior wide receiver Luther Burden III leading the way for the Tigers.
LSU: The Tigers, ranked 13th overall in the preseason poll, are coming off a 10–3 record and have a talented offensive front. The offense will be conducted by redshirt junior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, wide receivers fifth-year senior Kyren Lacy and fifth-year senior CJ Daniels, and graduate student running back Josh Williams, alongside a quality returning offensive line.
Tennessee: The Volunteers sit 15th overall in the AP Poll and will only take on three ranked SEC teams including Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma, a luxury that other SEC teams do not have. Tennessee will face the challenge of having an inexperienced quarterback with redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
Oklahoma: Entering the SEC alongside Texas, the Sooners sit at the 16th spot in the AP Poll. After their losing season in 2022, the team bounced back with its 10–3 2023 season. Under head coach Brent Venables for a third year, Oklahoma will look slightly different this season with sophomore five-star quarterback Jackson Arnold in the starting spot.
Texas A&M: The Aggies solidified their spot at No. 20 on the preseason AP Poll and finished last season with a 7–6 record and finished 0–5 against ranked opponents. Texas A&M will bring a heavy defense to this season with sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman and junior wide receiver Noah Thomas, who could both potentially have their breakout seasons.
Auburn: During last year’s season, Auburn had four straight losses and finished out the season 6–7. The Tigers will just have eight returning starters on offense and six on defense.
Florida: The Gators ended the 2023 season with a 5–7 record but will look to turn things around in the new-look SEC. The Gators added redshirt senior defensive back DJ Douglas from Tulane and redshirt senior defensive back Trikweze Bridges, a transfer from Oregon.
South Carolina: The Gamecocks struggled with offensive consistency last season, but are set to improve with a more experienced offensive line and running backs.
Kentucky: Kentucky football is currently ranked 34th by ESPN after ending last season with a 7–6 record. While the Wildcats hold a stronger record than teams higher up on the rankings, Kentucky holds a 0.0% chance to win all scheduled games and only a 62.2% chance of winning six games.
Arkansas: The Razorbacks hold a Football Power Index of 4.6 and are ranked 45 after coming off a 1–7 conference record last season. Arkansas hopes to rebuild with multiple new transfers, including redshirt senior running back and Utah transfer Ja’Quinden Jackson and redshirt junior quarterback Taylen Green from Boise State.
Mississippi State: The Bulldogs, under new head coach Jeff Lebby, are set at the second to last spot in the SEC after a 1–7 conference season with their only win over Arkansas. The 2024 squad is looking to focus on its aggression and offensive efficiency, but is lacking more experienced players.
Vanderbilt: Vanderbilt is coming off a 2–10 and a 0–8 conference record and while having the worst offense in the SEC, they could potentially improve with new offensive coordinator Tim Beck.

The Daily Texan

The Daily Texan

The Daily Texan

SEC Power Rankings: Week 1

The Daily Texan