In this era of bloated conference sizes, none of the other leagues can compete with the depth of the Southeastern Conference.The SEC has the No. 1 preseason ranked team in Texas and four total teams in the Top 10 as well as six other teams landing a spot in the Top 25.That’s 10 teams in a 16-team league beginning the season in the national rankings.The Longhorns are in their second SEC season since exiting the Big 12. They form a formidable quartet with No. 5 Georgia, No. 8 Alabama and No. 9 LSU and there is a strong second layer of No. 13 South Carolina, No. 15 Florida, No. 18 Oklahoma and No. 19 Texas A&M.But entering this season, Texas and quarterback Arch Manning are the class of the league.”I think this is a championship roster,” Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian said at SEC Media Days. “Now we’ve got to play like a championship team, but I do think it’s a championship roster.”The Longhorns will be tested immediately. They open on the road against defending national champion Ohio State and the conference road slate includes visits to Georgia and Florida.Overall, the pressure is definitely on the SEC this season. The Big Ten (Michigan won two seasons ago) have won the past two national championships.Teams listed in predicted order of finish (predicted record through conference championship game:1. Texas (12-1 predicted record)2024 record: 13-3Last conference title: 2023 (Big 12)Circle this game on the 2025 schedule: Nov. 15 at GeorgiaWhy the Longhorns will win the SEC: Manning is a first-year starter but in his third college season and has the talent to take Texas all the way. You have heard he has impressive bloodlines to go with that stellar throwing arm.2. Georgia (11-2 predicted record)2024 record: 11-3Last conference title: 2024Circle this game on the 2025 schedule: Nov. 15 vs. TexasWhy the Bulldogs will win the SEC: Georgia went 2-0 against the Longhorns last season so the Bulldogs arguably can point to themselves as the team to beat. The debate hits triple decibels in mid-November when Athens becomes the center of the football universe.3. Alabama (10-2 predicted record)2024 record: 9-4Last conference title: 2023Circle this game on the 2025 schedule: Sept. 27 at GeorgiaWhy the Crimson Tide will win the SEC: Coach Kalen DeBoer’s second team will be highly motivated to improve on last season when Alabama wasn’t part of the College Football Playoff. The folks in Tuscaloosa are demanding better this season.4. LSU (10-2 predicted record)2024 record: 9-4Last conference title: 2019Circle this game on the 2025 schedule: Nov. 8 at AlabamaWhy the Tigers will win the SEC: Garrett Nussmeier can surpass last season’s 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns but cutting down the 12 interceptions will be the key. LSU is a dangerous “fourth-best team” in a league.5. Texas A&M (9-3 predicted record)2024 record: 8-5Last conference title: 1998 (Big 12)Circle this game on the 2025 schedule: Nov. 28 at TexasWhy the Aggies will win the SEC: The Marcel Reed-squad faded late last season and avoiding another stumble will have them in the mix. Making sure the regular-season finale against Texas is for a spot in the SEC title game is the key.6. South Carolina (9-3 predicted record)2024 record: 9-4Last conference title: 1969 (ACC)Circle this game on the 2025 schedule: Nov. 29 vs. ClemsonWhy the Gamecocks will win the SEC: LaNorris Sellers (18 passing TDs, seven rushing scores) is being forecasted to take a huge leap this season. Now if he should deliver the school’s first SEC title since 1969, he would immediately become legendary.7. Florida (8-4 predicted record)2024 record: 8-5Last conference title: 2008Circle this game on the 2025 schedule: Nov. 1 vs. Georgia at JacksonvilleWhy the Gators will win the SEC: Talented DJ Lagway (12 touchdowns, nine interceptions in 2024) could flourish as a sophomore and become one of the top players in the nation. He displayed the winning gene in last season’s upsets of LSU and Ole Miss so perhaps a magical run is possible.8. Tennessee (8-4 predicted record)2024 record: 10-3Last conference title: 1998Circle this game on the 2025 schedule: Oct. 18 at AlabamaWhy the Volunteers will win the SEC: Perhaps the Nico Iamaleava drama that led to his departure was a bonding moment for the team and the camaraderie is better because of it. And what if Joey Aguilar (56 TDs in two seasons at Appalachian State) proves to be the better quarterback?9. Oklahoma (7-5 predicted record)2024 record: 6-7Last conference title: 2020 (Big 12)Circle this game on the 2025 schedule: Oct. 11 vs. Texas at DallasWhy the Sooners will win the SEC: Oklahoma received shaky quarterback play last season but that problem was resolved with the addition of the gambling John Mateer – on the field and perhaps off too if you go by Venmo. The Washington State transfer passed for 29 scores and ran for 15 more last season and repeatedly steps up when winning is on the line.
