College football is almost so impossible to predict now that some conferences have even scrapped preseason polls, but what else would we do to pass time until the season finally kicks off?
As the Oklahoma Sooners enter Year 2 in the SEC after a disappointing debut season, I predicted how the final standings will shake out in 2025 for the toughest conference in college football. So, let's debate and get some things wrong, or maybe even right.
Predicting the final SEC football standings in 2025
16. Kentucky
Kentucky likely won't win an SEC game. Enough said.
15. Mississippi State
Mississippi State also probably won't win a conference game, but I at least have a grain more confidence in Jeff Lebby's Bulldogs.
14. Arkansas
It will be a rough season, but Arkansas fans could at least finally get their wish of a new head coach.
13. Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt not at the bottom? Count this as an all-time season for the Commodores, but they're still not good enough to be in the top half of the SEC.
12. Missouri
I have enough trust in Eliah Drinkwitz to keep Missouri away from the bottom dwellers, but the Tigers still don't have the talent to beat who's ahead of them.
11. Auburn
My thoughts on Auburn are the opposite of Mizzou. I think the Tigers are loaded with talent (even Jackson Arnold at QB), but Hugh Freeze seems to be the biggest thing in the Tigers' way with his three play-caller system and whatnot. However, Freeze will figure things out just enough for his Jimmys and Joes to win him some football games, including Missouri at home for the tiebreaker.
10. Ole Miss
Lane Kiffin had a lot of holes to fill, but he's the Transfer Portal King and his offense will always be dangerous enough to beat some solid teams. The Rebels also lucked out with two road trips being to Kentucky and Mississippi State.
9. Texas A&M
I actually think Ole Miss will be better than Texas A&M, but because of how the schedule lined up, the SEC standings will say otherwise.
8. Tennessee
Tennessee lost a lot from last season that will influence a drop out of legit SEC championship contention, but still not enough to plummet Josh Heupel and the Vols into the bottom half of the league.
7. Texas
Texas fans will lose their minds over this, but I already predicted the Longhorns to go 8-4 this season with three SEC losses. Arch Manning is inexperienced with a tough schedule no matter the hype and will be behind an offensive line with four new starters. The Longhorns also have some gaps on the defensive front and in the secondary. Those are detrimental spots during an SEC slate.
6. Oklahoma
The Sooners could also suffer three SEC losses, but a win in the Red River Rivalry would put them ahead of Texas in the standings. Regardless, it will be a monumental improvement after two miracle SEC wins last year. However, OU gets the next three teams ahead on its schedule.
5. Alabama
Even in what could be a down year, this still seems low for Alabama, but it could still be good enough to put the Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff. Bama almost got the No. 6 spot here, but getting the Sooners in Tuscaloosa could be what boosts the Crimson Tide inside the top 5.
4. South Carolina
South Carolina could be worrisome on defense, but that offense is loaded with LaNorris Sellers at QB. The Gamecocks also get some help from their schedule with OU and Bama at home. They also get to play Vanderbilt, Missouri and Kentucky to start SEC play 3-0 and get on a roll.
3. LSU
The LSU Tigers were my favorites to win the SEC all offseason, but then I remember Brian Kelly is their head coach. The Tigers' schedule also has enough obstacles to force them to slip up just enough to keep LSU out of the SEC Championship Game.
2. Georgia
I mostly just feel like Georgia's SEC reign has to end for at least one season at some point. I also really like my No. 1 team. However, the Bulldogs are inevitable, so I'm not confident in putting them in second place.
1. Florida
I'm buying into all of the Florida and DJ Lagway hype. The Gators finished last season on a four-game winning streak with victories over LSU and Ole Miss. That streak was a glimpse of what was ahead for Florida with Lagway, who was just a freshman with almost no experience, back at QB. My biggest worry is Florida having to play Georgia twice if they meet in the SEC Championship Game, but during the regular season, the Gators get Georgia in The Swamp.
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