The Southeastern Conference has no shortage of drama, chaos and intriguing storylines entering the first week of the new campaign.
Last season, Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs ruled the league, securing their second consecutive SEC title and third in the last five years. The Texas A&M Aggies were one game away from the program’s first appearance in Atlanta, but the Texas Longhorns shut down those hopes in the Lone Star Showdown, handing Mike Elko his sole regular-season loss in 2025.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg, however. Former Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin did the unthinkable, leaving for Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and becoming the first person in college football to coach at three different teams in the conference. The Rebels await the Tigers in a Week 3 matchup, but their focus can’t slip away from Sunday’s matchup against a talented Louisville squad.
Here are my full Week 1 SEC football power rankings, with the conference set to kick off the 2026 season on Thursday:
1. Georgia Bulldogs (0-0)
Week 1 contest: vs. Tennessee State – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 2 p.m. CT (SEC Network+)
2. Texas Longhorns (0-0)
Week 1 contest: vs. Texas State – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 2:30 p.m. CT (ESPN)
3. Ole Miss Rebels (0-0)
Week 1 contest: vs. No. 24 Louisville* (Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.) – Sunday, Sept. 6, at 6:30 p.m. CT (ABC)
4. Oklahoma Sooners (0-0)
Week 1 contest: vs. UTEP – Friday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m. CT (SEC Network+)
5. Texas A&M Aggies (0-0)
Week 1 contest: vs. Missouri State – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 6 p.m. CT (ESPN)
6. LSU Tigers (0-0)
Week 1 contest: vs. Clemson – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 6:30 p.m. CT (ABC)
7. Alabama Crimson Tide (0-0)
Week 1 contest: vs. East Carolina – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 11 a.m. CT (ABC)
8. South Carolina Gamecocks (0-0)
Week 1 contest: vs. Kent State – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 11:45 a.m. CT (SEC Network)
9. Florida Gators (0-0)
Week 1 contest: vs. Florida Atlantic – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 6:45 p.m. CT (SEC Network)
10. Tennessee Volunteers (0-0)
Week 1 contest: vs. Furman – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 2:30 p.m. CT (SEC Network+)
11. Mississippi State Bulldogs (0-0)
Week 1 contest: vs. ULM – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 6 p.m. CT (ESPNU)
12. Missouri Tigers (0-0)
Week 1 contest: vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff – Thursday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. CT (SEC Network)
13. Auburn Tigers (0-0)
Week 1 contest: vs. Baylor* (Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga.) – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 2:30 p.m. CT (ABC/Disney+)
14. Kentucky Wildcats (0-0)
Week 1 contest: vs. Youngstown State – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 12 p.m. CT (SEC Network+)
15. Vanderbilt Commodores (0-0)
Week 1 contest: vs. Austin Peay – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 6 p.m. CT (SEC Network+)
16. Arkansas Razorbacks (0-0)
Week 1 contest: vs. North Alabama – Saturday, Sept. 5, at 3:15 p.m. CT (SEC Network)
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: SEC football power rankings entering Week 1 of 2026
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