Ranking the SEC’s Most Overrated and Underrated Teams for 2026

The SEC might not be the kings of college football heading into the 2026 season, but they’ll still be one of the deepest conferences in the country. 

Nine teams find themselves in the top 25 to start the season, but do they all belong? 

Here’s which teams in the SEC I feel are overrated, underrated, or properly rated.

#3 Georgia: Overrated

The defense should be one of the better units in the country, but even then, I still feel they lack an elite pass rush to make up for other deficiencies on this roster. Gunner Stockton is a steadying presence at quarterback, but I think this team lacks playmakers for him to get the ball to. Kirby Smart has raised the floor of Georgia so high that they are going to run through most of the SEC. Unfortunately, I don’t think they can hang with any of the top 3 teams in the Big 10.

#4 Texas: Underrated

Texas might not be underrated, but I feel they have everything needed to win a national title. The defense should be legit, with tons of talent playing on Sundays. Will Muschamp is one of the better coordinator hires in the country, and he gets to work with Colin Simmons and Lance Jackson in what will be one of the deepest defensive lines in the country. However, I am far more excited about the offense. 

Arch Manning is spoiled with playmakers around him, including transfer running backs Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown. He also got Cam Coleman to transfer from Auburn, pairing him with Ryan Wingo, making one of the best wideout rooms in the country. I believe in Arch Manning, but his struggles are the only thing that can hold back this talented roster.

#8 Texas A&M: Overrated

Nobody in the SEC benefited more from expanded conferences than Texas A&M. The schedule is much harder this time around, and they won’t be able to hide Marcel Reed’s deficiencies as easily. I do really like head coach Mike Elko, and he could easily prove me wrong; I just don’t think this is a playoff team. Reed didn’t help his offensive line much last year, and now they’re replacing four starters in what was already a weakness for A&M. I’m quite bearish on the Aggies until Reed or the running game changes my perception.

#9 Oklahoma: Underrated

OU and Texas might not be classic SEC teams, but I trust them the most in this conference. Oklahoma’s defense will once again be one of the best in the country, but the offense is the real question mark. Quarterback John Mateer is one of the most exciting players in the country, but with that play style comes massive risks. If he can keep himself healthy, I think he’s good enough to lead Oklahoma back to the playoffs, and maybe even an SEC title. If they can survive their first five weeks, which include road games at Michigan and Georgia, and the Red River Rivalry, they should be able to cruise into the playoffs. If not it might be a rocky year for the Sooners.

#10 Ole Miss: Underrated

I think it’s a trendy pick in the media to fade Ole Miss, but I think this team might just be elite. Their defense was wildly underrated last year and should be even better, but I don’t think that matters much. Trinidad Chambliss might be the best quarterback in the country, and Kewan Lacy could be the best tailback. The Rebels are expected to play at an even faster pace this year, and I think they’re going to boat race most teams on their schedule. They might not have Lane Kiffin, but they should still be great this year.

#11 Alabama: Overrated

Not many coaches start the year ranked 11th in the country while also being on the hot seat. 

Playoff appearances aren’t enough to keep Kalen DeBoer’s job safe for much longer, and if he misses the playoffs entirely, it will get ugly. I’m kinda nervous that Alabama might just be kinda bad this year. The offensive line was one of the worst in the country last year, and they didn’t do nearly enough to fix that. They were one of the worst rushing teams in the country last year, and that might be pretty similar this year as well. The defense was also terrible at stopping the rush, and I think that’s going to be a massive problem again this year. On paper, this is the worst Alabama team we’ve seen in at least a decade. I wouldn’t trust them this year.

#13 LSU: Properly Rated

I trust Lane Kiffin to build a contender at LSU; I just think we will see the fruits of his labor next season. The Tigers brought in the best transfer class in the country, but one, I still feel there are too many holes to fill, and two, I think a lot of this class was overrated. 

Sam Leavitt struggled when healthy last season and was carried by Cam Skattebo the year prior. Transfers Jayce Brown and Eugene Wilson III were brought in to be immediate playmakers, but I think they might struggle to build a connection with Leavitt after he missed most of the offseason recovering from surgery. I think LSU finishes the year ranked, but just misses out on the playoffs in year one of the Kiffin era.

#18 Tennessee: Overrated

Outside of having Tennessee on their jerseys and being in the SEC, there’s no other reason the Volunteers should be ranked to start the season. 

Tennessee’s defense was a disaster down the stretch last season, and to fix that, they brought in Jim Knowles, who struggled mightily during his time at Penn State. Knowles managed some good defenses at Ohio State, but I feel that had far more to do with the talent playing on the field. On offense, George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon lead one of the least inspiring quarterback battles in the country. I think the offense will take a step back, and I have zero faith in the defense. The Vols have a pretty light SEC schedule, and that could be the only thing to save them this year.

#25 Missouri: Underrated

There’s been no team more disrespected in the SEC over the last few years than Missouri. The defense was top 20 in the country last year, but had to be reworked through the portal this offseason. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz has thrived at getting the most out of his defenses, and I expect that to be similar this year. 

They also brought in one of the more intriguing quarterbacks in the portal, former Ole Miss starter Austin Simmons. Last season, he was injured and then replaced by Chambliss, but there’s a reason Kiffin had him as the starter to begin with. I think this offense can be great, but that all relies on Ahmad Hardy being healthy. Hardy was shot in the leg this offseason, and the Tigers are unsure if he will be fully recovered by the start of the season, or if he will ever be back to full strength this year. If Hardy is healthy, he and Jamal Roberts will combine to be the best backfield in the conference, but that’s a massive if.