1. Texas Longhorns (11-1, 8-0, 1st overall)
QB: Vg
RB: Vg
WR: Vg
OL: Av
—
DL: Vg
LB: Vg
DB: Vg
ST: Vg
Offense: What could go right
If Arch Manning lives up to the hype, that quarterback unit rating could hit the “Ex” level quickly and position Texas for a run deep into the playoffs. The wide receiver corps needs to find an answer at tight end, and most of the wideout depth will be made up of true freshmen, but the raw talent is most certainly there. Quintrevion Wisner, expected to start again at running back, put up solid stats in 2024 and is flying a bit under the radar compared to some of his SEC counterparts. Don’t discount the continuity within the offensive coaching staff, either, as Steve Sarkisian’s playcalling is an asset most teams don’t have. There isn’t really a standout group on this side of the ball – the wide receivers could become one; the Arch Manning phenomenon ideally needs time to bake but media hype won’t let it – but there’s nothing that screams “glaring weakness” anywhere other than perhaps the tight end spot, which is average at best. If Texas continues to develop on this side of the ball as expected, the sum of the parts could be pretty special.
Offense: What could go wrong
It’s always possible that Arch Manning is a bust, but we don’t expect that. His floor seems to be an average, solid SEC quarterback, and nothing worse. The biggest question mark is probably the offensive line. Only one starter returns and the Longhorns didn’t go to the portal for any seasoned help. The four new starters more or less represent last year’s second offensive line moving up as a unit. Where this could show up as a fly in the ointment, especially early, is the fact that despite Wisner being a solid running back, the Longhorns didn’t run the ball effectively (71st) in 2024. Texas also struggled in red zone offense last year (100th). They need to improve on those numbers regardless, but especially with a young quarterback taking over.
Defense: What could go right
The back seven is as strong as you’ll find anywhere. Like a lot of teams, Texas is now a full-time 4-2-5 defense albeit with some schematic flexibility. Linebackers Liona Lefau and Anthony Hill began to emerge mid-2024 and Hill enters this season as perhaps the top inside linebacker on the board for next April’s NFL Draft. There’s also good depth both there and in the secondary, which as a group is long, athletic and aggressive. There’s good speed from the defensive end spots and safety Michael Taaffe is one to watch.
Defense: What could go wrong
The interior defensive line is a mystery, at best. Five of the six players in the three-deep at the tackle spots are transfers, with only Alex January having begun his career in Austin. While the general opinion of the transfer group is that it will become a solid unit quickly, there’s still an adjustment period and it could lead to some early-season kinks. Statistically, Texas was 13th or better in all major defensive categories last year, so even with a small dropoff in the defensive middle, it might not matter much. About the only item that lights up on the need-to-improve board was the number of first downs Texas yielded last year; they need to get more early stops and turn things over to the offense more often.
One-sentence summary: The SEC’s most solid team overall and one that could be dynamic if all the moves hit.
Texas has been knocking on the door of a championship for a minute now anyway, and there’s really nothing to do here but just survive the regular season and get set up for another playoff run. The schedule is highly favorable; there are really only three “lose-able” games on the schedule and Texas just needs to win one of them. The opener with Ohio State will be a grindfest between two teams replacing solid quarterbacks, and Georgia in Athens on Nov. 15 will be a test especially if Georgia solves its own quarterback problems. That leaves Texas A&M in the season finale as the one Texas absolutely can’t lose. Nobody else looks to have a legitimate shot.
2. Georgia Bulldogs (11-1, 7-1, 2nd overall)
QB: Av
RB: Av
WR: Vg
OL: Av
—
DL: Vg
LB: Vg
DB: Av
ST: Vg
Offense: What could go right
The skill personnel around new QB Gunner Stockton all seem solid. There is depth at running back and receiver, although there are a lot of transfer-in names on the wideout list and we’ll have to see how Georgia handles the transition. Tight end should once again, to the surprise of nobody, be a strength of the Georgia offense. The running back group isn’t as star-studded as it has been, but the depth is there and Illinois transfer Josh McCray is an interesting addition at 6’0” and nearly 250 pounds. We”ll see if he’s just big, or if he can move the sticks.
Offense: What could go wrong
Plenty. This is a fairly pedestrian-looking offense even if Stockton emerges as the guy. The dynamic limits will be tested with the new wide receiver group; if they can get separation and make plays downfield, it will take the pressure off the running game and especially give Stockton room to breathe. Stockton got tagged as “Great Value Stetson Bennett” after an up-and-down, late-season run in 2024 and he’ll have to prove he’s better than that. Stockton completed 70 percent of his passes, but for only 1 touchdown in 64 attempts, plus an interception. Perhaps more of a worry was that Stockton was advertised as being athletic in the pocket, but he didn’t run effectively and also seemed to not feel pressure adequately. The elephant in the room here is the offensive line; other than T Earnest Greene and perhaps G Micah Morris, this is not the kind of OL Georgia fans have grown accustomed to seeing. We rated this group as average and the ceiling might not be much higher than that. And the kicker here is that Georgia already needed to improve its rushing numbers from a year ago (102nd)
Defense: What could go right
There’s been a lot of hand-wringing about the defensive line, but we don’t see it. The front seven of this team is as good as any, especially strong up the middle at tackle and middle linebacker. Some general improvement is needed to get back to elite status, however, as Georgia put up solid defensive numbers in 2024 but didn’t excel in any one category. The Bulldogs struggled to create turnovers, as well. To be fair, the lack of a running game allowed far more opponents’ possessions than probably should have occurred, but it’s fair the say the defense underachieved a bit. The starting unit will be packed with veterans familiar with the system; Georgia expects no transfers in its starting lineup.
Defense: What could go wrong
There is significant question about the Jack linebacker position, which is crucial to the success of the 3-4 over/under scheme. Gabe Harris Jr. is expected to start there, and he’s a relative unknown. The top backup at the moment is a transfer from Army, Elo Modozie. The secondary is the larger concern due to the lack of starting experience – only one starter from 2024 came back – but there is talent there. Probably the biggest concern is that this defense could wind up being the new normal for the program, which may have taken a small step backward as a whole from the heights it has occupied the last few years.
One-sentence summary: It may be a put-up-or-shut-up season in Athens, but Georgia is still a tough out.
The recruiting rankings haven’t slid much, but just about any seasoned observer will tell you this isn’t the same Georgia program that it was three or four years back. Having said that, the top of the SEC this year is filled with solid teams that could all challenge for a national title – but there isn’t one that stands above the rest. Georgia will have to wear its blue-collar ethic proudly in 2025, because there just doesn’t seem to be the explosiveness needed to overpower everyone the Bulldogs will face.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide (11-1, 7-1, 3rd overall)
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4. LSU Tigers (9-3, 6-2, 5th overall)
QB: Ex
RB: Fr
WR: Vg
OL: Av
—
DL: Vg
LB: Ex
DB: Fr
ST: Av
Offense: What could go right
It all rides on QB Garrett Nussmeier’s back. He’s a traditional high-efficiency, strong-armed quarterback who needs good OL protection, because he can’t survive a heavy rush. He’s athletic enough to sometimes be able to create a secondary pocket for himself, but LSU’s best work is going to be done if they can keep his jersey clean. It was imperative the Tigers surrounded Nussmeier with better weapons in 2025, and to that end, they brought in Kentucky’s Barion Brown and Oklahoma’s Nic Anderson to go along with former Alabama transfer Aaron Anderson at wide receiver. The key acquisition might end up being Oklahoma TE Bauer Sharp, who flashed next-level ability at times in 2024. The critical question is whether OL transfers Josh Thompson and Braelin Moore are up to the task of playing in the SEC.
Offense: What could go wrong
Take a look at that “Fair” rating for the running back group and you’ll see it … then combine that with what will likely be a step back for this offensive line, and all of a sudden Nussmeier might find himself suffering from overwork. LSU ranked just 107th in rushing offense in 2024; they weren’t dynamic in any way, and it’s basically the same collection of guys back for seconds with the exception of true freshman Harlem Berry. Offensive tackle could wind up being where it all goes a bit sideways. Tyree Adams should be able to handle left tackle, but Thompson, who played at Northwestern in 2024, was originally slated for right tackle, but was moved inside instead. A freshman, Weston Davis, is going to be the new right tackle. If this sounds like “one big hit to Nussmeier, and the season is over” … well, you’d be right.
Defense: What could go right
The defensive line has the chance to be quietly special despite returning only a couple of players with part-time starting experience. Florida transfer Jack Pyburn made waves with what was allegedly a list of demands for teams considering taking him out of the transfer portal; he ended up here, so let’s see how accurate those reports were. FSU transfer Patrick Payton will start at the other DE spot. There is a good bit of depth inside for once, but former USF (and Montgomery, Ala. Native) DT Bernard Gooden is a bit light for his assignment at 268 pounds. He’s set to start at one of the tackle spots. Linebacker is a special group, with Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins both returning. There’s been a fight between West Weeks and Davhon Keys for the other LB spot, and if one of those two locks it in, LSU could be tough to run on.
Defense: What could go wrong
The secondary is a question mark, to be kind. There’s also the schematic question of how often Harold Perkins is going to be asked to patrol as a safety. LSU’s version of a 4-3 uses hybrid linebackers rather than safety-corners at the Star spot, and positional flexibility is a must. What’s clear is that last year’s attempt at this concept didn’t fly. LSU ranked 76th in raw pass defense and 68th in pass efficiency defense, and was just 81st in turnover margin. The Tigers were also 84th in third-down defense and the word to describe it all would probably best be “discombobulated.” There are transfers and true freshmen dotting the depth chart at the moment.
One-sentence summary: Brian Kelly needs a playoff run to quiet the discontent of the fan base.
Probably shouldn’t let the fans dictate the situation, but it’s going to happen if LSU misses the CFP. The Kelly years in Baton Rouge have felt like general LSU weirdness taken to a new high. You’ll also notice that while Ole Miss ranks fourth in our previews by expected record, we think LSU is the Tier I team of the two, not the Rebels. The pieces are there, but the talent isn’t evenly spaced-out and Kelly has to do a better job of eliminating meltdown games like Texas A&M and Alabama proved to be in 2024.