The top two SEC football preseason power rankings for 2025 are Georgia and Texas.
The media consensus is clear as fall approaches: Texas is ranked No. 1 in the SEC preseason poll, followed closely by Georgia at No. 2. Texas earned 96 first‑place votes and 3,060 points in the SEC Media Poll, while Georgia picked up 44 votes and tallied 2,957 points, reflecting national expectations for both programs to vie for the conference crown.
Texas enters the season as the conference favorite and recent national contender, led by second‑year head coach Steve Sarkisian and rising star quarterback Arch Manning. Manning’s NIL valuation recently climbed to $6.8 million, making him college football’s highest‑paid athlete under current rules. That valuation underscores just how central he is to Texas’s identity and national narrative heading into the season.
Georgia, meanwhile, finished 11‑3 last year and arrives with elite continuity under head coach Kirby Smart, returning several key contributors on both lines. Though media spotlights favor Texas, Georgia’s presence close behind in the poll and their proven track record as recent national champions put them firmly in the title conversation.
According to Sports Illustrated’s SEC power rankings, the top order after Media Days is: 1. Texas, 2. Georgia, 3. Alabama, 4. LSU, followed by South Carolina and Florida. USA Today echoed a similar ranking with Texas first, Georgia second, Alabama third, and LSU fourth, reinforcing the prevailing hierarchy.
ESPN’s FPI (Football Power Index) places Texas as the strongest team in the SEC in simulated outcomes, followed by Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. Projections indicate Texas winning the SEC title in approximately 34.1% of simulations, Georgia in 26.9%, and Alabama around 17.2%. Georgia’s projected win total sits at 10.1, slightly behind Texas’s 10.4; all three teams hold virtually guaranteed 6+ win chances.
Why is Texas No. 1? They enter 2025 as more than just a national power—they brought in 13 preseason All‑SEC selections, the most of any school, across key positions like running back, offensive line, defense, and Arch Manning himself. The Longhorns return a dominant defense led by All-American safety Michael Taaffe, and despite replacing four starting offensive linemen, the unit maintains internal continuity and managed underperforming pass protection last year with confidence in its depth.
Texas also boasts a strategic advantage with quarterback momentum. Manning brings hype, name recognition, and elite potential in his first full season as starter. Analysts cite his NIL value, but also expect his dual-threat style to give the Longhorns versatility and firepower critical for SEC success.
Georgia remains the top challenger. Despite uncertainty at quarterback with Gunner Stockton, the Bulldogs still have championship blueprint experience. The schedule favors them with all tough opponents at home—including rematches against Alabama and Texas—though the media believe replacing key contributors on offense and defense poses challenges to consistency.
CBS Sports and Sports Illustrated both predict that Georgia may be slightly overrated in the current ranking, citing doubts about their receiving room, rushing effectiveness, and quarterback inexperience. Georgia projected for a 9‑3 season still strong, but behind Texas and Alabama in depth and upside.
Alabama holds the third spot in most rankings—with SEC Coach Kalen DeBoer inheriting strong lines, a deep roster, and a system built to protect a QB like Ty Simpson under a revamped offensive scheme. Even so, analysts suggest Alabama may outperform expectations, which places even more pressure on Georgia and Texas to deliver.
The matchup between Texas and Georgia features high stakes beyond the title race. Their clash at Atlanta or potentially Dallas in non‑conference scheduling could serve as a tip-of-the-hat rematch from the prior SEC Championship and reshape national playoff seeding. Georgia’s ability to match Texas’s depth and speed is key; Texas needs a strong offensive line and reliable special teams, both areas questioned during summer reports.
From a betting angle, Texas is favored to win over 9.5 regular-season games, while Georgia projections hover slightly under Texas in futures markets. Analysts praise both as playoff caliber, but say Texas has an edge in overall team strength and ceiling, while Georgia may grind into consistency and leadership-driven performance.
Ultimately, the power dynamic entering fall camp positions Texas and Georgia as the SEC’s top contenders, followed by Alabama and LSU. Long-term success may hinge on quarterback execution, roster continuity, and adaptability to SEC depth demands. Georgia aims to build on recent championships and a younger core; Texas looks for its first national title in two decades—and they’re projected by many experts as the team most capable of building enough momentum to get there.
So as the season begins, top SEC storylines revolve around Texas v. Georgia, with the balance of power, recruiting momentum, and national title implications riding on their performances.
