For the first time in a long time, the Oklahoma Sooners enter a season outside of the favorites to win the conference title. But that’s life at the SEC, where the Georgia Bulldogs won back-to-back national titles and narrowly missed the College Football Playoff in 2023.
And let’s not forget the Alabama Crimson Tide. Sure, Nick Saban is retired, but he’s still an influential voice on the show. New head coach Kalen DeBoer has had great success at every step of his college career. Alabama will still be Alabama.
Then there is the Texas Longhornsthe darlings of the SEC and national media after making their first playoff appearance.
It’s a deep conference that features nine teams in the U.S. LBM Coaches Poll, but how does the SEC stack up in CBS Sports Preseason Ratings 1-134?
More: Which SEC team has the best helmet?
1. Georgia Bulldogs
SEC Classification: 1
The Georgia Bulldogs have been embroiled in controversy this offseason. They recently fired transfer wide receiver RaRa Thomas and have had more driving incidents. Still, Kirby Smart is arguably the best coach in college football and they have arguably the best roster in the sport.
Get more Georgia Bulldogs news, analysis and opinion on UGA wire.
4. Texas Longhorns
SEC Classification: two
Oh man, here we go again. Texas is a good team with a good quarterback. Are they really the second best team in the SEC? I’m not so sure about that.
Get more Texas Longhorns news, analysis and opinion on Longhorns Yarn.
5. Alabama Crimson Tide
SEC Classification:3
Jalen Milroe bounced back from his early season struggles in 2023 to have a good season. Now with Kalen DeBoer, who helped Michael Penix become a top-10 pick in the NFL draft, Milroe has a chance for a great season.
Get more Alabama news, analysis and opinion on Rolling Tide Wire.
6. Old Miss Rebels
SEC Classification:4
The Ole Miss Rebels have a talented roster, but with all their reliance on the transfer portal, can they find their feet?
Get more college football news, analysis and opinion on College Sports Wire
11. Missouri Tigers
SEC Classification:5
Missouri has upgraded its offensive line and has one of the best QB-WR duos in the conference with Luther Burden and Brady Cook.
Get more college football news, analysis and opinion on College Sports Wire
12. LSU Tigers
SEC Classification:6
Can LSU’s defense return to its standard? If so, that will take a lot of pressure off Garrett Nussmeier.
Get more LSU Tigers news, analysis and opinion on LSU Tigers Wire.
15. Tennessee Volunteers
SEC Classification:7
Nico Iamaleava is a good defender, but he hasn’t been asked to do much as a starting defender.
Get more news, analysis and opinion from the Tennessee Volunteers on Vols Yarn
18. Oklahoma Early
SEC Classification:8
The Oklahoma Sooners are going to surprise a lot of people in their first year in the SEC.
Get more Oklahoma Sooners news, analysis and opinion on Wire earlier
20. Texas A\u0026amp;M Aggies
SEC Classification:9
Much of Texas A&M’s success will depend on the health of Connor Weigman. If he’s healthy, they’ll be an SEC contender.
Get more Texas A&M Aggies news, analysis and opinion on Aggies yarn
32. Kentucky Wild Cats
SEC Classification: 10
Mark Stoops and the Wildcats have only had one losing season since 2016, and that was in the COVID year of 2020. Kentucky has a quarterback that a lot of people were excited about coming out of high school in Brock Vandagriff.
Get more Kentucky Wildcats news, analysis and opinion on UK Wildcats Wire
37. Brown Tigers
SEC Classification: 11
Hugh Freeze is a good coach and is recruiting well, but how quickly can he get past the Tigers. Auburn pushed Alabama to the limit late in the 2023 season.
Get more Auburn Tigers news, analysis and opinion on Brown Thread.
38. Florida Alligators
SEC Classification: 12
Florida is one of those teams that could be much better than their record indicates at the end of the season.
Get more Florida Gators news, analysis and opinion on Alligator wire.
49. South Carolina Gamecocks
SEC Classification: 13
LeNorris Sellers is one of those dual-threat quarterbacks who can elevate his team as long as he takes care of the football.
Get more college football news, analysis and opinion on College Sports Wire
54. Arkansas Razorbacks
SEC Classification: 14
Arkansas needs to reach bowl season for Sam Pittman to keep his job in Fayetteville.
Get more Arkansas Razorbacks news, analysis and opinion on Razorbacks yarn.
71. Mississippi State Bulldogs
SEC Classification: 15
Jeff Lebby’s offense will give the Bulldogs an opportunity to sneak up on some teams, but they will have to get a breakout season from Blake Shapen.
Get more college football news, analysis and opinion on College Sports Wire
91. Vanderbilt Commodores
SEC Classification: 16
Vanderbilt has a lot of work to do to emerge from the SEC crisis.
Get more college football news, analysis and opinion on College Sports Wire
This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Where do the Sooners land in CBS Sports’ 1-134 preseason rankings?
