Projected 2018 SEC standings
| SEC East | SEC West | |||||
| Team | Overall | SEC | Team | Overall | SEC | |
| 1. Georgia | 12-0 | 8-0 | 1. Alabama | 12-0 | 8-0 | |
| 2. South Carolina | 8-4 | 5-3 | 2. Mississippi State | 10-2 | 6-2 | |
| 3. Florida | 7-5 | 4-4 | 3. Auburn | 9-3 | 5-3 | |
| 4. Missouri | 7-5 | 3-5 | 4. Ole Miss | 8-4 | 4-4 | |
| 5. Kentucky | 7-5 | 3-5 | 5. Texas A&M | 7-5 | 4-4 | |
| 6. Vanderbilt | 5-7 | 2-6 | 6. LSU | 5-7 | 2-6 | |
| 7. Tennessee | 6-6 | 2-6 | 7. Arkansas | 3-9 | 0-8 | |
| Preseason Top 25 | |
| 1. Clemson | Razor-close between Clemson and Bama, but more veterans on CU’s defense makes the difference |
| 2. Alabama | Everything seems to set up for a title defense, but Tide plays better when it has something to prove |
| 3. Miami | If defense can rebound to mid-2017 form, weak schedule could send ‘Canes to Final 4 |
| 4. Georgia | It looks again like the SEC will have two teams in the Final 4. |
| 5. Ohio State | Buckeyes are probably better than this, but off-field distractions could weigh heavily |
| 6. Washington | The talent is there, but Huskies have to get past their tendency to lay one or two eggs each year |
| 7. Oklahoma | Lots of talent lost, but OU will still have a top offense and play in the weakest P5 league |
| 8. Mississippi St. | Bulldogs could be SEC’s surprise team if it can manage a coaching transition. Talent is there. |
| 9. Michigan | Offense has to click, or Wolverines will fall short again – and Jim Harbaugh will feel the heat. |
| 10. Wisconsin | Offense returns almost completely intact, but the D is a full rebuild. Schedule not kind, either. |
| 11. Auburn | It really all comes down to the offensive line, and whether Malzahn’s trickery has run its course. |
| 12. Michigan St. | Schedule sets up perfectly as Spartans hope offense can get in gear after 2017’s failures. |
| 13. Notre Dame | Defense will carry the Irish as far as they’ll go, given tough schedule and QB issues |
| 14. Virginia Tech | Fuente is a rising star in the coaching ranks, and he has a good mix of talent and leadership back. |
| 15. Boise State | Basically a one-game season, with Oklahoma State the only contender on the schedule. |
| 16. Stanford | Defense took an unexpected step back in 2017; fixing that would make Cardinal a PAC-12 fave. |
| 17. Penn State | Solid leadership and a good foundation, but graduation was unkind to the roster. Rebuilding year. |
| 18. Florida State | The raw talent is undeniably there, but 2017 was a disaster and the defense is young. |
| 19. South Carolina | A 10-win season is in reach if Will Muschamp can continue to develop as a head coach. |
| 20. Southern Cal | Basically all comes down to the quality of the quarterback position – or lack thereof. |
| 21. Oklahoma St. | Never seem to get much preseason respect, but they’re always hanging around in the end. |
| 22. Oregon | Is Mario Cristobal the answer? A veteran roster will help soothe the transition back to open O. |
| 23. Iowa | Good offensive core, manageable schedule mean Hawkeyes should post a decent season. |
| 24. Utah | Utes would be higher if the schedule was kinder. Offense needs to get in sync as well. |
| 25. Ole Miss | Rebels should score points if nothing else. But the program is in a decline nonetheless. |