SEC Power Rankings: New No. 1 team emerges entering conference play

USA Today

14-03-2025

SEC Power Rankings: New No. 1 team emerges entering conference play
The most talented conference in college baseball from top-to-bottom, the start to the 2025 season for the SEC has certainly delivered on the hype it garnered during the preseason already.
A conference that includes both the 2024 national champion and runner-up, the SEC had numerous teams ranked within the preseason Top 25 of the USA TODAY Sports College Baseball Coaches Poll, as well as six in the Top 10 alone.
Since then however, some of those same teams have gone on to see struggles at times, while others from the SEC have seen success, and as a result, rose into the Top 25.
So, for the first time this season, let's update our 2025 SEC baseball power rankings entering conference play, with the records mentioned current as of Thursday, March 13.
16. Missouri Tigers
Previous Ranking: No. 16
No. 16 2025 Record: 8-8 overall
8-8 overall Recent Results: Win vs. UConn (N), vs. Florida A&M (N), vs. Southern (N), vs. Lindenwood, vs. Evansville, vs. Binghamton - Loss vs. Penn State (N), vs. Stetson (N), at UCF, vs. Alabama State (N), vs. Evansville, vs. Binghamton
Win vs. UConn (N), vs. Florida A&M (N), vs. Southern (N), vs. Lindenwood, vs. Evansville, vs. Binghamton - Loss vs. Penn State (N), vs. Stetson (N), at UCF, vs. Alabama State (N), vs. Evansville, vs. Binghamton Next Game: at LSU on March 14
After beginning the year with a ranking of No. 16, the Missouri Tigers had a rough start to the season where they currently sit at 8-8 overall in which their best win is likely against UConn on a neutral field. Missouri's next game comes March 14 for their SEC opener on the road at LSU.
15. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Previous Ranking: No. 11
No. 11 2025 Record: 13-4 overall
13-4 overall Recent Results: Win vs. Manhattan, vs. Missouri State, vs. Rice (N), vs. Southern Miss, vs. Queens, vs. Old Dominion (N), Nicholls (N) - Loss at Southern Miss, vs. Troy, vs. Arizona (N), vs. Oklahoma State (N)
Win vs. Manhattan, vs. Missouri State, vs. Rice (N), vs. Southern Miss, vs. Queens, vs. Old Dominion (N), Nicholls (N) - Loss at Southern Miss, vs. Troy, vs. Arizona (N), vs. Oklahoma State (N) Next Game: vs. Texas on March 14
Mississippi State currently sits at 13-4 overall in which two of their losses have come on a neutral field against both Arizona and Oklahoma State, but also own an impressive 18-3 victory over a ranked Southern Miss team. Next up for the Bulldogs to open SEC play is a home series against Texas, which will begin March 14.
14. South Carolina Gamecocks
Previous Ranking: No. 14
No. 14 2025 Record: 15-3 overall
15-3 overall Recent Results: Win vs. Sacred Heart, vs. Winthrop, vs. Queens, vs. Milwaukee, vs. Gardner-Webb, vs. Davidson, at The Citadel, vs. Morehead State, vs. Georgia State - Loss vs. Clemson
Win vs. Sacred Heart, vs. Winthrop, vs. Queens, vs. Milwaukee, vs. Gardner-Webb, vs. Davidson, at The Citadel, vs. Morehead State, vs. Georgia State - Loss vs. Clemson Next Game: vs. Oklahoma on March 14
South Carolina has had a solid start to the Paul Mainieri era in which the Gamecocks sit at 15-3 overall with their lone blemishes being a sweep at the hands of in-state rival Clemson, dropping both games of a home-and-home, along with a neutral showdown between the two. The Gamecocks return to action will come this Friday, March 14, against Oklahoma to open SEC play.
13. Auburn Tigers
Previous Ranking: No. 13
No. 13 2025 Record: 14-3 overall
14-3 overall Recent Results: Win vs. Holy Cross, vs. Troy, vs. North Alabama, vs. Wright State, vs. Samford, vs. Ohio State (N), vs. Oregon State (N), vs. Baylor (N), vs. Old Dominion, vs. UT Martin (N) - Loss vs. Holy Cross, at UAB, vs. Old Dominion
Win vs. Holy Cross, vs. Troy, vs. North Alabama, vs. Wright State, vs. Samford, vs. Ohio State (N), vs. Oregon State (N), vs. Baylor (N), vs. Old Dominion, vs. UT Martin (N) - Loss vs. Holy Cross, at UAB, vs. Old Dominion Next Game: vs. Vanderbilt on March 14
The Auburn Tigers sit at 14-3 overall in which their season so far is headlined by undefeated showing in Arlington where they picked up undoubtedly their biggest win up to this point, an 8-7 neutral field victory over Oregon State. Auburn's next game is their SEC opener March 14 at home against Vanderbilt.
12. Kentucky Wildcats
Previous Ranking: No. 10
No. 10 2025 Record: 13-2 overall
13-2 overall Recent Results: Win at Lipscomb, at Belmont, vs. Evansville, vs. Morehead State, vs. Hofstra, at Eastern Kentucky, vs. Wofford, vs. Northern Illinois - Loss at Lipscomb, vs. Wofford
Win at Lipscomb, at Belmont, vs. Evansville, vs. Morehead State, vs. Hofstra, at Eastern Kentucky, vs. Wofford, vs. Northern Illinois - Loss at Lipscomb, vs. Wofford Next Game: at Georgia on March 14
The Kentucky Wildcats have not necessarily played as challenging a schedule so far as compared to some of the SEC's other teams, but have won a vast majority of their games to sit at a solid 13-2 overall. Kentucky's next game will however certainly be their toughest yet, a weekend series to open SEC play at Georgia starting March 14.
11. Ole Miss Rebels
Previous Ranking: No. 15
No. 15 2025 Record: 14-2 overall
14-2 overall Recent Results: Win vs. Arizona (N), vs. Clemson (N), vs. Arkansas State, vs. Eastern Kentucky, vs. Southern Miss, vs. Wright State, vs. Murray State, vs. Jacksonville State - Loss vs. Texas (N), at South Alabama
Win vs. Arizona (N), vs. Clemson (N), vs. Arkansas State, vs. Eastern Kentucky, vs. Southern Miss, vs. Wright State, vs. Murray State, vs. Jacksonville State - Loss vs. Texas (N), at South Alabama Next Game: vs. Arkansas on March 14
The Ole Miss Rebels have had an impressive start to the season in which they sit at 14-2 overall in which their lone losses have come to Texas on a neutral field, as well as recently at South Alabama. Ole Miss however owns one of the SEC's top wins over Clemson on a neutral field, and are set to open conference play March 14 against Arkansas at home.
Previous Ranking: No. 1
No. 1 2025 Record: 10-6 overall
10-6 overall Recent Results: Win vs. Elon, vs. Cal Poly, vs. Rice (N), vs. Texas Southern, vs. New Mexico State, vs. Prairie View A&M - Loss vs. Cal Poly, vs. Texas State, vs. Arizona (N), vs. Oklahoma State (N), vs. UTSA, vs. New Mexico State
Win vs. Elon, vs. Cal Poly, vs. Rice (N), vs. Texas Southern, vs. New Mexico State, vs. Prairie View A&M - Loss vs. Cal Poly, vs. Texas State, vs. Arizona (N), vs. Oklahoma State (N), vs. UTSA, vs. New Mexico State Next Game: vs. Alabama on March 14
After holding the No. 1 ranking during the preseason, the Texas A&M Aggies drop significantly in this update coming off a rough start to the season in which they went 10-6. However, the Aggies still have one of the SEC's top pitching staff's, which will be on display in their conference opener March 14 at home against Alabama.
9. Oklahoma Sooners
Previous Ranking: No. 9
No. 9 2025 Record: 15-1 overall
15-1 overall Recent Results: Win vs. Lehigh, vs. Minnesota (N), vs. Oregon State (N), vs. Virginia (N), vs. Texas Southern, vs. CSUN, vs. Sam Houston, vs. Louisiana Tech - Loss at Dallas Baptist
Win vs. Lehigh, vs. Minnesota (N), vs. Oregon State (N), vs. Virginia (N), vs. Texas Southern, vs. CSUN, vs. Sam Houston, vs. Louisiana Tech - Loss at Dallas Baptist Next Game: at South Carolina on March 14.
Oklahoma, off to a 15-1 overall start, own a resume that includes notable wins over the likes of Virginia and Oregon State, and have also received some stellar play from one of the SEC's top pitchers so far, Kyson Witherspoon. The Sooners will be back in action March 14 for their first-ever SEC series on the road at South Carolina.
8. Alabama Crimson Tide
Previous Ranking: No. 12
No. 12 2025 Record: 17-1 overall
17-1 overall Recent Results: Win vs. Bradley, vs. Middle Tennessee, vs. Alabama State, vs. Coastal Carolina (N), vs. NC State (N), vs. Ohio State (N), vs. Jacksonville State, vs. North Dakota State, at Jacksonville State, vs. Troy, vs. Presbyterian, at UAB - Loss vs. Presbyterian
Win vs. Bradley, vs. Middle Tennessee, vs. Alabama State, vs. Coastal Carolina (N), vs. NC State (N), vs. Ohio State (N), vs. Jacksonville State, vs. North Dakota State, at Jacksonville State, vs. Troy, vs. Presbyterian, at UAB - Loss vs. Presbyterian Next Game: at Texas A&M on March 14
Led by one of college baseball's top hitters in shortstop Justin Lebron, the Alabama Crimson Tide only recently suffered their first loss to sit at 16-1 overall with a resume headlined by wins over NC State and Troy. The Crimson Tide's next game comes March 14 on the road at Texas A&M to open SEC play.
7. Vanderbilt Commodores
Previous Ranking: No. 8
No. 8 2025 Record: 14-3 overall
14-3 overall Recent Results: Win at Grand Canyon, vs. UC Irvine (N), vs. Air Force, vs. Saint Mary's, vs. Tennessee Tech, at UCLA, vs. St. Bonaventure, vs. Xavier, vs. Valparaiso - Loss vs. Nebraska (N), at USC, vs. UConn (N)
Win at Grand Canyon, vs. UC Irvine (N), vs. Air Force, vs. Saint Mary's, vs. Tennessee Tech, at UCLA, vs. St. Bonaventure, vs. Xavier, vs. Valparaiso - Loss vs. Nebraska (N), at USC, vs. UConn (N) Next Game: at Auburn on March 14
Vanderbilt is off to a solid start to the 2025 season in which the Commodores sit at 14-3 overall in which two of their losses have come on a neutral field. The Commodores, led by head coach Tim Corbin, will open SEC play at Auburn on March 14.
6. Georgia Bulldogs
Previous Ranking: No. 7
No. 7 2025 Record: 19-1 overall
19-1 overall Recent Results: Win vs. Quinnipiac, vs. UNC Wilmington, at Kennesaw State, vs. UIC, at Georgia State, vs. Florida Gulf Coast, vs. High Point, vs. Georgia State, vs. Columbia, vs. East Tennessee State - Loss at UNC Wilmington
Win vs. Quinnipiac, vs. UNC Wilmington, at Kennesaw State, vs. UIC, at Georgia State, vs. Florida Gulf Coast, vs. High Point, vs. Georgia State, vs. Columbia, vs. East Tennessee State - Loss at UNC Wilmington Next Game: vs. Kentucky on March 14
The Georgia Bulldogs have one of the more impressive records of any SEC team entering conference play at 19-1 overall, and are also one of the hottest teams in the conference at the moment, riding a 16-game winning streak. Georgia's next game will likely be their toughest yet however, a series starting March 14 against Kentucky to open SEC action.
5. Texas Longhorns
Previous Ranking: No. 6
No. 6 2025 Record: 14-1 overall
14-1 overall Recent Results: Win vs. Ole Miss (N), vs. Oklahoma State (N), vs. Dartmouth, vs. Incarnate Word, vs. Washington (N), vs. Texas Tech (N), vs. Illinois (N), vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, vs. Santa Clara, vs. UT Arlington - Loss vs. Louisville (N)
Win vs. Ole Miss (N), vs. Oklahoma State (N), vs. Dartmouth, vs. Incarnate Word, vs. Washington (N), vs. Texas Tech (N), vs. Illinois (N), vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, vs. Santa Clara, vs. UT Arlington - Loss vs. Louisville (N) Next Game: at Mississippi State on March 14
After dropping their first game of the season against Louisville, the Texas Longhorns have since bounced back with 14-straight victories to enter SEC play sitting at 14-1 overall. The Longhorns first-ever SEC series is set to begin this Friday, March 14, on the road in Starkville against Mississippi State.
4. Florida Gators
Previous Ranking: No. 4
No. 4 2025 Record: 16-2 overall
16-2 overall Recent Results: Win vs. Air Force, at Jacksonville, vs. Dayton, at Stetson, vs. North Florida, vs. Miami, vs. Florida Atlantic, vs. Harvard, at Florida State - Loss vs. Miami, at UCF
Win vs. Air Force, at Jacksonville, vs. Dayton, at Stetson, vs. North Florida, vs. Miami, vs. Florida Atlantic, vs. Harvard, at Florida State - Loss vs. Miami, at UCF Next Game: at Tennessee on March 14
The Florida Gators, who sit at 16-2 overall, own one of college baseball's top wins so far this season, which came recently via a 7-2 road victory at in-state rival Florida State. Florida will also face a significant test to open SEC play, as the Gators travel to Tennessee in college baseball's top series this upcoming weekend, which begins March 14.
Previous Ranking: No. 5
No. 5 2025 Record: 16-1 overall
16-1 overall Recent Results: Win vs. Washington State, vs. TCU (N), vs. Michigan (N), vs. Grambling, vs. Charlotte, vs. ULM, vs. Portland, vs. UCA - Loss vs. Kansas State (N)
Win vs. Washington State, vs. TCU (N), vs. Michigan (N), vs. Grambling, vs. Charlotte, vs. ULM, vs. Portland, vs. UCA - Loss vs. Kansas State (N) Next Game: at Ole Miss on March 14
Entering SEC play riding a 12-game winning streak, Arkansas currently sits at 16-1 overall this season in which their lone loss came on a neutral field to Kansas State as part of the College Baseball Series in Arlington, Texas. The Razorbacks, whose best win is lost on a neutral field over TCU, will open SEC play March 14 at Ole Miss.
2. LSU Tigers
Previous Ranking: No. 3
No. 3 2025 Record: 17-1 overall
17-1 overall Recent Results: Win vs. Purdue Fort Wayne, vs. Southern, vs. Omaha, vs. Nicholls, vs. Dallas Baptist (N), vs. Kansas State (N), vs. Nebraska (N), vs. Sam Houston (N), vs. North Dakota State, vs. North Alabama, vs. Xavier - Loss vs. Omaha
Win vs. Purdue Fort Wayne, vs. Southern, vs. Omaha, vs. Nicholls, vs. Dallas Baptist (N), vs. Kansas State (N), vs. Nebraska (N), vs. Sam Houston (N), vs. North Dakota State, vs. North Alabama, vs. Xavier - Loss vs. Omaha Next Game: vs. Missouri on March 14
Sitting at 17-1 overall, the LSU Tigers only have one blemish on their season resume, which is a home loss against Omaha. The Tigers however enter SEC play riding a 12-game winning streak in which their best win came against Dallas Baptist on a neutral field, and will be back in action March 14 to begin SEC play against Missouri.
1. Tennessee Volunteers
Previous Ranking: No. 2
No. 2 2025 Record: 17-0 overall
17-0 overall Recent Results: Win vs. Hofstra, vs. UNC Asheville, vs. Samford, vs. North Alabama, vs. Oklahoma State (N), vs. Rice (N), vs. Arizona (N), vs. Radford, vs. Xavier, vs. St. Bonaventure, vs. West Georgia
Win vs. Hofstra, vs. UNC Asheville, vs. Samford, vs. North Alabama, vs. Oklahoma State (N), vs. Rice (N), vs. Arizona (N), vs. Radford, vs. Xavier, vs. St. Bonaventure, vs. West Georgia Next Game: vs. Florida on March 14
The SEC's lone undefeated team remaining, defending national champion Tennessee rises into the No. 1 ranking as we enter conference play sitting at 17-0 overall. Having looked dominant at times this season, Tennessee has still not lost a game dating back to Game 1 of the College World Series Finals a year ago, but that streak will certainly be put to the test this weekend as the Volunteers welcome Florida to town for a three-game set starting Friday, March 14.