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USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Preseason SEC football power rankings entering 2025 season
The 2025 SEC football season has now officially arrived. Yes, after a lengthy offseason full of action off the field, the 2025 season has arrived for the SEC. Similar to seasons past as well, the SEC is once again expected to be among the best conferences in all of college football. Looking back at last season, the SEC placed three teams into the College Football Playoff, while a few others ended up falling just short of making the field. However, when projecting the 2025 campaign, many of those same teams could also be in contention to make the College Football Playoff, some of which are likely expected to entering the year. Something that will be updated weekly going forward, let's take a look at the preseason SEC football power rankings entering the 2025 season. 16. Mississippi State Bulldogs Mississippi State had one of the worst seasons in program history a year ago, ending year one of the Jeff Lebby era with a 2-10 overall record (0-8 in SEC) in what was the Bulldogs first double-digit loss season since 2003. There is potential for a bounce back season in Starkville however after Mississippi State added a deep transfer portal class, combining that group with a returning starter at quarterback in Blake Shapen. The Bulldogs will open the season Saturday, Aug. 30, with an in-state road showdown at Southern Miss. 15. Kentucky Wildcats Kentucky simply had a forgetful season a year ago, finishing among the bottom of the conference at 4-8 overall (1-7 in SEC) in likely their worst campaign since 2013. Mark Stoops and the Wildcats will also be relying on some newer faces this fall in order for a bounce back season, most notably Incarnate Word transfer quarterback Zach Calzada. The Wildcats will open the season Saturday, Aug. 30, at home against Toledo. 14. Arkansas Razorbacks The Razorbacks bounced back a bit during year five of the Sam Pittman era last season, finishing with a 7-6 overall record (3-5 in SEC). Set to return for Arkansas this season however is a talented team led by returning quarterback Taylen Green, one that will be looking to take the next step into a SEC contender. Arkansas will open the season Saturday, Aug. 30, at home against Alabama A&M. 13. Vanderbilt Commodores Vanderbilt and head coach Clark Lea finished last season at 7-6 overall (3-5 in SEC), which was the Commodores' first winning season since 2013. The Commodores should not go anywhere this fall either, as prominent players in Diego Pavia and Eli Stowers both return, leaving reason to believe Vanderbilt can potentially build off their success from a year ago. Set to open the season Saturday, Aug. 30, Vanderbilt will host Charleston Southern in Week 1. 12. Missouri Tigers Missouri and head coach Eliah Drinkwitz are coming off their second consecutive double-digit win season at 10-3 overall (5-3 in SEC). The Tigers however are a different looking team this fall after multiple prominent departures, but have still added key names such as Penn State transfer quarterback Beau Pribula. Drinkwitz and Missouri will be the SEC's first team to play during Week 1, doing so Thursday, Aug. 28, at home against Central Arkansas. 11. Auburn Tigers The Auburn Tigers are coming off a 5-7 overall season (2-6 in SEC), and have not won more than six games in a year since 2019. Led by head coach Hugh Freeze, Auburn will return one of the SEC's top wide receivers in Cam Coleman, while also having brought in a transfer class that features former Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold. Auburn's season opener will take place Friday, Aug. 29, on the road at Baylor. 10. Oklahoma Sooners After winning double-digit games in 2023, Oklahoma and head coach Brent Venables took a step back in year one as a member of the SEC, finishing with a 6-7 overall record (2-6 in SEC). Since, the Sooners have however seen a significant amount of roster movement, one that is headlined by a new starter at quarterback in former Washington State transfer John Mateer. Oklahoma will open the season Saturday, Aug. 30, at home against Illinois State. 9. Florida Gators The Florida Gators likely enjoyed the greatest season of the Billy Napier era so far a year ago, which featured an 8-5 overall record (4-4 in SEC). Led by a returning quarterback in DJ Lagway, there is certainly potential for the Gators to take yet another step forward in 2025 as well to even improve on that win total of eight. Florida will open the 2025 season at home Saturday, Aug. 30, against Long Island University. 8. Tennessee Volunteers Head coach Josh Heupel and Tennessee are coming off a season in which the Volunteers make the College Football Playoff at 10-3 overall (6-2 in SEC). The Volunteers however are tasked with replacing some notable players, which means that Tennessee will be counting on multiple new faces to make an impact such as Appalachian State transfer quarterback Joey Aguilar. Tennessee will play a neutral-site game to open the 2025 season, facing Syracuse in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday, Aug. 30. 7. Ole Miss Rebels Lane Kiffin led Ole Miss to its' second consecutive double-digit win season a year ago, finishing at 10-3 overall (5-3 in SEC). The Rebels should be back in College Football Playoff contention this season led by the likes of Suntarine Perkins and Austin Simmons, even despite some notable departures also. Ole Miss is set to open the season Saturday, Aug. 30, at home against Georgia State. 6. Texas A&M Aggies Year one of the Mike Elko era was a solid one for the Texas A&M Aggies, finishing with an 8-5 overall record (5-3 in SEC) for their highest win total since 2021. There is certainly potential for Texas A&M to repeat that success during the 2025 season as well, with a big reason as to why being a returning starter at quarterback in Marcel Reed. Texas A&M will open the season Saturday, Aug. 30, at home against UTSA. 5. South Carolina Gamecocks South Carolina took a step forward a year ago under head coach Shane Beamer, finishing with a 9-4 overall record (5-3 in SEC) in what was their first nine-win season since 2017. There is reason to believe the Gamecocks could be here to stay as a SEC contender in 2025 as well, with a big reason why being returning quarterback LaNorris Sellers. The Gamecocks will open the season Sunday, Aug. 31, against Virginia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia. 4. LSU Tigers Led by head coach Brian Kelly, LSU is coming off a 9-4 overall season (5-3 in SEC), the Tigers first with less than double-digit wins since 2021. The Tigers will be back as a SEC contender yet again this fall, featuring a talented roster that is headlined by quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. LSU is set to open the season Saturday, Aug. 30, in a high-profile Top 10 road trip at Clemson, one of the SEC's biggest Week 1 matchups. 3. Alabama Crimson Tide Alabama enters year two of the Kalen DeBoer era coming off a down 2024 campaign in which the Crimson Tide had a 9-4 overall record (5-3 in SEC), the program's first non double-digit win season since 2007. The Crimson Tide will see a new quarterback this fall in Ty Simpson, who leads a team that also returns Ryan Williams and Kadyn Proctor, among others. On Saturday, Aug. 30, Alabama will travel to Florida State for one of the SEC's biggest Week 1 matchups. 2. Georgia Bulldogs Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs made the College Football Playoff a year ago at 11-3 overall (6-2 in SEC), the program's fourth consecutive double-digit win season. The Bulldogs will be back among the SEC's elite in 2025, led by a roster that returns a talented defense led by CJ Allen and KJ Bolden, among others. Georgia will play Marshall at home during Week 1 on Saturday, Aug. 30. 1. Texas Longhorns Steve Sarkisian and Texas had a memorable first season as part of the SEC, making the College Football Playoff at 13-3 overall (7-1 in SEC), the program's highest win total since 2009. The Longhorns are a preseason pick to make it back to the SEC Championship Game once again this fall, led by a roster featuring Arch Manning and Anthony Hill Jr., among others. Texas will open the season in college football's biggest Week 1 game, a top five road matchup at defending national Ohio State on Saturday, Aug. 30. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
USA Today
05-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
How does the SEC stack up in CBS Sports 1-136 rankings for the 2025 season?
The 2025 college football season will kick off in just a few weeks. More than ever, the SEC feels wide open this season with a number of teams that have a legitimate shot at winning the conference. The Oklahoma Sooners enter the year with a lot to prove. The Sooners open the season unranked in the US LBM Coaches Poll for the first time in 25 years. As they say, it's not how you start, but how you finish. It will be an uphill climb for the Sooners in the SEC, and they'll have to overcome one of the more difficult schedules in the nation. Oklahoma will play seven teams ranked in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll. Six of those teams are in the SEC, and each of them ranks ahead of the Sooners in CBS Sports' ranking of all 136 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Here's a look at how the SEC stacks up. 70. Mississippi State Bulldogs SEC Rank: 16 US LBM Coaches Poll: Unranked Week 1: at Southern Mississippi Jeff Lebby has a tough road ahead for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Any success they have will be predicated on the offense scoring a bunch of points, and that's going to require a bounce-back season from Blake Shapen. 57. Kentucky Wildcats SEC Rank: 15 US LBM Coaches Poll: Unranked Week 1: vs. Toledo The Kentucky Wildcats are betting big on Zach Calzada after he put up a big season for Incarnate Word. He won't have to do much to improve on Brock Vandergriff's season for the Wildcats. 47. Vanderbilt Commodores SEC Rank: 14 US LBM Coaches Poll: Unranked Week 1: vs. Charleston Southern Vanderbilt enters the 2025 season just four spots behind the Arkansas Razorbacks in CBS Sports rankings. But Diego Pavia and the Commodores won't be sneaking up on anyone in 2025. Can they still pull off an upset or two and find their way to a bowl game? Pavia has Vandy believing. 43. Arkansas Razorbacks SEC Rank: 13 US LBM Coaches Poll: Unranked Week 1: vs. Alabama A&M Taylen Green raises the floor for the Arkansas Razorbacks, but the rest of the roster will keep the ceiling relatively low. They'll surprise a team or two in SEC play, but are far from a title contender. 32. Auburn Tigers SEC Rank: 12 US LBM Coaches Poll: Unranked Week 1: at Baylor The Auburn Tigers have a talented roster surrounding Jackson Arnold. They could be a surprise contender in 2025 if the former Sooner quarterback has improved his ball security and decision-making since last season. That week one matchup against Baylor will set the tone for the Tigers season. 28. Missouri Tigers SEC Rank: 11 US LBM Coaches Poll: Unranked Week 1: vs. Central Arkansas Despite losing several really important pieces off of their offense, the Missouri Tigers have a schedule that is manageable, including six home games to start the season. They don't go on the road until October 18 when they face Auburn. 24. Oklahoma Sooners SEC Rank: 10 US LBM Coaches Poll: Unranked Week 1: vs. Illinois State The Oklahoma Sooners will have one of the best defenses in the SEC in 2025, and the offense will be significantly better. If the offensive line returns to expectation, Oklahoma could be a conference title contender this year. 22. Ole Miss Rebels SEC Rank: 9 US LBM Coaches Poll: 15 Week 1: vs. Georgia State Lane Kiffin had the Rebels on the cusp of the playoff last year with a fantastic roster. But a lot of those stars are gone, and they're turning to a first-year starter in Austin Simmons. Stepping back a couple of wins wouldn't be out of the questions. 20. Tennessee Volunteers SEC Rank: 8 US LBM Coaches Poll: 18 Week 1: vs. Syracuse Tennessee lost so much on both sides of the ball that they seem more likely to finish outside the top 25 at the end of the season than they do ranked. 18. Texas A&M Aggies SEC Rank: 7 US LBM Coaches Poll: 21 Week 1: vs. UTSA Texas A&M will look more like an old school type of football team, playing a smashmouth style with a strong running game and one of the best defenses in the SEC. 16. South Carolina Gamecocks SEC Rank: 6 US LBM Coaches Poll: 13 Week 1: vs. Virginia Tech The Gamecocks lost a lot from a defense that was really good but will have one of the best quarterbacks in the nation leading a South Carolina offense that averaged 30 points per game a season ago. Even if the defense takes a small step back from the 18.1 points per game they allowed last year, the Gamecocks will still be a SEC title contender. 12. Florida Gators SEC Rank: 5 US LBM Coaches Poll: 17 Week 1: vs. Long Island University The only team that might have a schedule as difficult as the Oklahoma Sooners is the Florida Gators. D.J. Lagway has a high ceiling, but injuries continue to limit his development. If he can shake of the injury bug, the Gators could improve from their 8-5 season a year ago. 9. LSU Tigers SEC Rank: 4 US LBM Coaches Poll: 9 Week 1: at Clemson Garrett Nussmeier is one of the best quarterbacks in the country heading into 2025 with a great grop of skill players around him. If the defense has made a jump, the LSU Tigers will be a legit title contender. 8. Alabama Crimson Tide SEC Rank: 3 US LBM Coaches Poll: 8 Week 1: at Florida State A pair of upsets to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma kept Alabama out of the College Football Playoff, but Kalen DeBoer had a solid first year and has a talented roster led by one of the best players in the game, wide receiver Ryan Williams. 5. Georgia Bulldogs SEC Rank: 2 US LBM Coaches Poll: 4 Week 1: vs. Marshall There hasn't been a more consistent program in the country than the Georgia Bulldogs over the course of Kirby Smart's tenure in Athens. History suggests the Bulldogs will win 10 games and be in the SEC championship game at the end of the season. 1. Texas Longhorns SEC Rank: 1 US LBM Coaches Poll: 1 Week 1: at Ohio State All eye will be on the Texas Longhorns in 2025. With Arch Manning leading the way, Texas hopes to improve on back-to-back semifinal exits in the College Football Playoff and go the distance to win the national championship. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blake Shapen: Mississippi State football's wide receivers are more talented in 2025
Blake Shapen said he believes Mississippi State football's wide receivers are more talented this season than 2024.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blake Shapen among the 3 Mississippi State football players who'll be at SEC media days
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football's representatives at SEC media days will be quarterback Blake Shapen, safety Isaac Smith and wide receiver Brenen Thompson. The event will take place from July 14-17 at the College Football Hall of Fame and Omni Hotel in Atlanta. The Bulldogs are scheduled to appear on July 16 along with Alabama, Florida and Oklahoma. Coach Jeff Lebby will be on the podium at 9:50 a.m. CT on SEC Network+. Advertisement Shapen transferred to MSU from Baylor last season but suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 4. He was able to obtain a medical redshirt and return for the 2025 season, where he's expected to be the starting QB again. Shapen was a healthy participant in spring practices. Smith, a junior, returns to MSU after an All-SEC Second Team season where he led the conference with 127 tackles. Thompson transferred to Mississippi State from Oklahoma in the winter, where he spent the past two seasons after a freshman year at Texas. In 2023, with Lebby as the Oklahoma offensive coordinator, Thompson was limited to six games because of an injury but had 241 yards and two touchdowns. Last season, he started 10 games and posted 19 receptions, 230 yards and two touchdowns. The Bulldogs went 2-10 in 2024 and open the season at Southern Miss on Aug. 30 (11 a.m., ESPN). Advertisement MORE: Inside Brian O'Connor's first month as Mississippi State baseball coach: Ace Reese and more Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@ and follow him on X @sklarsam_. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State football players attending SEC media days 2025
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blake Shapen reveals details about injury that ended Mississippi State QB's season after four games
Blake Shapen had injuries in the past but had never missed as much time as he did last season as the Mississippi State football starting quarterback. Shapen, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 4, has made some changes designed to prevent future injuries. They include a stronger emphasis on recovery and lessons from the film room. Advertisement 'I think for me with the rehab, it starts there — continuing to do the rehab,' Shapen said at the Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux, Louisiana, on June 27. 'Before, I never did rehab for my arm. I wouldn't do a ton of shoulder care and things like that. Now, I'm staying on pace with that. 'I think it starts there, but it also starts with the film watch, understanding when to get down (on the ground). I'm very competitive, so I want to make the best play I can, go get a first down and things like that, but understanding when I need to just take my losses and get down.' Shapen revealed for the first time that the injury was a fractured scapula (shoulder blade) in his right throwing arm. It occurred in the fourth quarter of MSU's 45-28 loss to Florida on Sept. 21 and required season-ending surgery. The Baylor transfer missed the final eight games of the season as the Bulldogs finished with a 2-10 record. He was a full participant in the Bulldogs' spring practices and is expected to be the starting quarterback again. Advertisement 'It's been good,' Shapen said. 'Obviously it was a tough road at first whenever I found out what it was. But being able to come back from it, it's been hard, but it's also built me into who I am.' Blake Shapen recently won an NIL award While Shapen is preparing for the upcoming season, he also recently won an award for using his name, image and likeness (NIL) money for charity. Shapen won the 2025 NIL Store Philanthropic Spirit Award, which recognizes 'the athlete who supported the greatest philanthropic endeavor through their apparel sales.' NIL Store announced a string of various awards with other winners including Cooper Flagg, Paige Bueckers and Starkville native Luke Altmyer. Advertisement Shapen invited over 100 children to the Mississippi State spring football game. He provided them with T-shirts, food vouchers and signed autographs after the scrimmage. MORE: Mississippi State baseball transfer portal tracker: Who's in, who's out for Brian O'Connor 'Just the kids around the community, to give them an experience that they've probably never had before, it was pretty cool,' he said. 'To see the smiles on their faces and be around them, it was pretty cool.' Ole Miss beat reporter Sam Hutchens contributed to this story. Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@ and follow him on X @sklarsam_. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Blake Shapen: Mississippi State QB reveals details about injury
