The Longhorns were rankings darlings before the 2025 season. They didn’t live up to the billing, but they finished the season with wins against Texas A&M and Michigan.
Now, with Arch Manning returning, Texas once again is fueling up on big expectations.
That includes the No. 1 spot in USA TODAY’s “too early” top 25 for the 2026 season. So, are they overrated?
On this edition of “SEC Football Unfiltered,” a podcast from the USA TODAY Network, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams consider the eight SEC teams ranked in this top 25 and identify a few overrated and underrated teams.
After Texas, Ohio State, Georgia, Indiana and Notre Dame round out this top five compiled by USA TODAY’s Paul Myerberg and Erick Smith.
Here are the eight SEC teams ranked within the top 25:
- 1. Texas
- 3. Georgia
- 6. Oklahoma
- 8. Texas A&M
- 11. Alabama
- 15. LSU
- 20. Ole Miss
- 24. Tennessee
So, who’s overrated from the SEC?
Adams: Two teams jump out. Georgia and Alabama. The Bulldogs will return a lot from a team that repeated as SEC champions. I think they’re a top-10 team. A playoff team. But, No. 3?
Georgia didn’t do much in the transfer portal, and it will be young at wide receiver. A No. 3 ranking seems too lofty for a team that will look familiar to the one that lost to Mississippi in the CFP quarterfinals. Then again, I trust few coaches like I trust Kirby Smart.
As for Alabama, Ty Simpson emerged as the Crimson Tide’s offensive engine. Now, he’s off to the NFL. So is top receiver Germie Bernard. Is either Austin Mack or Keelon Russell ready to step in at starting quarterback? Several other SEC teams will have more proven quarterbacks.
Toppmeyer: I’ll offer no pushback to the idea that Georgia and Alabama are overrated. I think they’re both a touch high.
I’ll add another: Texas A&M. The Aggies sustained notable losses along the lines of scrimmage after finishing an 11-win season with back-to-back losses to Texas and Miami. They also lost offensive coordinator Collin Klein. He became Kansas State’s coach. The Aggies reloaded with a nice portal haul, but the 2026 schedule will be tougher. Another top-20 season should be expected, but top-10 could be pushing it.
Also, if Texas is No. 1, then it’s almost obvious to view the Longhorns as a bit overrated. If I could take Texas or the field with my national champion pick, I’d take the field. Texas will face six opponents likely to be ranked in the preseason poll.
Which SEC teams are underrated?
Adams: LSU stands out, at No. 15. Lane Kiffin did magnificent work by assembling the nation’s top-ranked transfer class. Not only are his Tigers underrated, he’s transformed them into an SEC frontrunner.
Toppmeyer: If Trinidad Chambliss is granted an extra year of eligibility, then Mississippi is underrated at No. 20. Otherwise, the Rebels’ ranking is appropriate.
This might sound crazy, but I’m tempted to slot Kentucky into the top 25 after the Wildcats’ top-10 transfer haul under new coach Will Stein. That includes the arrival of quarterback Kenny Minchey, the former Notre Dame backup.
Later in the episode
∎ Dabo Swinney named names. The Clemson coach says he’s decided to sic the feeble NCAA on Mississippi’s Pete Golding, after Swinney accused the Rebels coach of tampering to plunder a player off Clemson’s roster.
Where to listen to SEC Football Unfiltered
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Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s national college football columnist. John Adams is the senior sports columnist for the Knoxville News Sentinel. Subscribe to the SEC Football Unfiltered podcast, and check out the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.