Spring football has officially wrapped up, and USA TODAY Sports has dropped its post-spring 1-138 re-rank for the 2026 college football season. With the season about four months away, the rankings offer an early glimpse at which teams are poised to make noise this fall. For the Southeastern Conference, the outlook is characteristically strong—but how does the league truly stack up?
The Oklahoma Sooners land at No. 7, one of their highest post-spring rankings in recent memory. That's no small feat, considering the Sooners face a gauntlet of nine conference opponents, all ranked inside the top 55. Three SEC teams crack the top 10, and seven earn spots in the top 20, underscoring the conference's depth heading into 2026.
At the top sits Texas, who entered 2025 as the No. 1 team but missed the College Football Playoff after a midseason stumble against Florida. The Longhorns didn't waste any time retooling, aggressively attacking the transfer portal to surround quarterback Arch Manning with a loaded supporting cast, including dynamic playmakers Cam Coleman, Raleek Brown, and Hollywood Smothers.
Georgia remains the gold standard of consistency under Kirby Smart, having won 10-plus games virtually every season of his tenure. With back-to-back SEC titles and three of the last four conference crowns, the Bulldogs enter 2026 as the clear favorite to dominate once again.
Oklahoma proved its mettle on the road last season with statement wins at Tennessee and Alabama. This year, the Sooners will need to replicate that poise during brutal trips to Michigan, Georgia, and Florida. The good news? An improved offense pairs with a defense that has evolved into one of the nation's best under Brent Venables.
Texas A&M remains a riddle wrapped in talent. On paper, the Aggies are among the most gifted teams in the country—but last season's three-point playoff output against Miami was a sobering reminder. Quarterback Marcel Reed will determine just how far this team can go.
Alabama's Kalen DeBoer will turn to a first-year starter for the second consecutive season, but the Crimson Tide's issues last year ran deeper than the quarterback position. A porous offensive line was the real culprit. If Alabama shores up its front five, it could once again be a serious threat in the SEC.
Rounding out the top tier, it's hard to overlook a team that was just a play or two away from reaching the national championship game. The SEC's depth is undeniable, and with spring ball in the rearview mirror, the race for supremacy is already heating up.