Now we have a 9-game SEC schedule to deal with... (SEC Preview thread 2026)

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Hopefully Ahmad Hardy is healed and recovered from the gunshot wound. We saw Brian Robinson and Ricky Pearsall come back relatively quickly, but this appears different. Not a lot of information is out there but it is the upper leg, and a week after it happened, Drinkwitz said it would be a couple of months before they had a return mapped out.

If he misses a chunk of the season, which is likely, Missouri is going to be in trouble.

OOOO... Thanks for that update. Man, I completely forgot about the "Ahmad Hardy gunshot incident" when I made the preview.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Georgia

Preview segment: The Georgia Bulldogs

Last season: Geez. Those fans in Athens, Georgia are spoiled as hell. I mean, the Bulldogs is coming off back-to-back SEC championships. Gunner Stockton was great as their starting QB. And- Wait. I know why Georgia fans are upset. It's because when they got to the 2025 CFP, Ole Miss ruined their grand dream of another national championship in the Sugar Bowl.
So now, let's see if Kirby Smart can calm the restless natives (again) and keep the gravy train going.

Good news: QB Gunner Stockton is back for one more year, and his running backs (like Nate Frazier) look very strong. There are no big problems on defense, as the secondary and the linebacker group are both super impressive.

Bad news: Georgia's defense DID finish last in the SEC in creating sacks last year, so fixing that should be a priority. There are spots open on the right side of the O-line. But the biggest worry could be at wide-receiver; I mean, that WR group is talented, but it has almost NO experience.

Key games:
9/26 vs. Oklahoma (Just a simple challenge match between two playoff teams from a year ago. No more, no less.)
10/10 @ Alabama (This will be the toughest game of the year for Georgia. Not only because Georgia hasn't won at Tuscaloosa since 2007, but also because a game against rival Auburn is on next week. Will focus be an issue at all?)
10/31 vs. Florida [in Atlanta] (Thank you, Lindy's, for acknowledging that this game is really a home game for Georgia. Thank you.)
11/7 @ Ole Miss (Here we go. This will be a game where Georgia will seek revenge for that Sugar Bowl loss to the Rebels. Will they get it?)
11/28 vs. Georgia Tech (Whoops, can't forget about your most bitter in-state rivals.)

Bottom line: The schedule actually looks pretty good for Georgia, with 8 home games. Sure, they gotta go to Tuscaloosa and Oxford, but it'll be easy for them to get hyped for those road trips. Georgia should be able to get back into the College Football Playoff in 2026.
But if they want to win it all THIS time, there are some important issues they'll need to fix.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Auburn

The last preview segment for the SEC: The Auburn Tigers

Last season: Some coaching dismissals in 2025 came as a surprise. Sadly for Hugh Freeze, his firing did NOT come as a surprise. He just couldn't get any real momentum going at Auburn. Now this program has had 5 straight losing seasons, the first time that's happened since the late 1940's.
Enter former USF coach Alex Golesh. Can HE be the one to get the Auburn Tigers back up?

Good news: Auburn did have a strong defense in 2025, and it should be strong again thanks to a tough secondary and Xavier Atkins heading up the D-line. RB Jeremiah Cobb is back on offense after a solid campaign last year.

Bad news: It's the same old, same old when there's a new coach; you have a bunch of new players coming in to the team, and the staff has to mesh everything well. Can the O-line hold up? Can the new QB (Byrum Brown) handle the grind of a 9-game SEC schedule?

Key games:
9/5 vs. Baylor [from Atlanta] (To make things worse for Auburn, they'll need to hit the ground running in 2026. Baylor remembers how Auburn defeated them last year in Waco.)
9/26 vs. Vanderbilt (This will be a VERY important game in terms of team psyche; Auburn has a losing streak against Vanderbilt for the first time since the late 1940's.)
10/17 @ Georgia (The yo-yo continues for Auburn's schedule, as they'll now visit Georgia and Alabama in the same year. At least Auburn will have a bye week to prepare for this trip to Athens.)
10/24 vs. LSU (Oh! Auburn gets to see their rivals from Baton Rouge for the first time in a while.)
11/28 @ Alabama (Keep fighting, Auburn! Last year's "Iron Bowl" was only decided by 1 score, after all.)

Bottom line: This season should be very interesting for Auburn. The team does have some good special teams and a good defense, but that offense is almost all-new. Plus, they need to see how the new coach and his staff handles the job on "The Plains".
Auburn should avoid an embarrassing 6th-straight losing season this year. Anything beyond that? That could all fall on Byrum Brown's shoulders.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

SEC predictions

Now it's on to what you good folks in the South have been REALLY waiting for: My predictions for this conference. Well, here you go:

1. Texas (Conference champs, Playoff)
2. Oklahoma (Playoff)
3. Georgia (Playoff)
4. Alabama (Maybe playoff)
5. Ole Miss (Maybe playoff)
6. LSU
7. Texas A&M
8. Florida
9. Tennessee
10. Vanderbilt
11. Missouri
12. Auburn
13. South Carolina
14. Kentucky
15. Mississippi State
16. Arkansas

And you know... I'm thinking about having my next thread be about the ACC.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Georgia

Preview segment: The Georgia Bulldogs

Last season: Geez. Those fans in Athens, Georgia are spoiled as hell. I mean, the Bulldogs is coming off back-to-back SEC championships. Gunner Stockton was great as their starting QB. And- Wait. I know why Georgia fans are upset. It's because when they got to the 2025 CFP, Ole Miss ruined their grand dream of another national championship in the Sugar Bowl.
So now, let's see if Kirby Smart can calm the restless natives (again) and keep the gravy train going.

Good news: QB Gunner Stockton is back for one more year, and his running backs (like Nate Frazier) look very strong. There are no big problems on defense, as the secondary and the linebacker group are both super impressive.

Bad news: Georgia's defense DID finish last in the SEC in creating sacks last year, so fixing that should be a priority. There are spots open on the right side of the O-line. But the biggest worry could be at wide-receiver; I mean, that WR group is talented, but it has almost NO experience.

Key games:
9/26 vs. Oklahoma (Just a simple challenge match between two playoff teams from a year ago. No more, no less.)
10/10 @ Alabama (This will be the toughest game of the year for Georgia. Not only because Georgia hasn't won at Tuscaloosa since 2007, but also because a game against rival Auburn is on next week. Will focus be an issue at all?)
10/31 vs. Florida [in Atlanta] (Thank you, Lindy's, for acknowledging that this game is really a home game for Georgia. Thank you.)
11/7 @ Ole Miss (Here we go. This will be a game where Georgia will seek revenge for that Sugar Bowl loss to the Rebels. Will they get it?)
11/28 vs. Georgia Tech (Whoops, can't forget about your most bitter in-state rivals.)

Bottom line: The schedule actually looks pretty good for Georgia, with 8 home games. Sure, they gotta go to Tuscaloosa and Oxford, but it'll be easy for them to get hyped for those road trips. Georgia should be able to get back into the College Football Playoff in 2026.
But if they want to win it all THIS time, there are some important issues they'll need to fix.

The defense really came together after the middle-ish of October, but until then, it was looking historically bad for a Kirby Smart defense.

I haven’t heard anything along this line of thinking, but I honestly wonder if Smart got a little more involved as the season went along. If that did happen, you have to wonder how long the leash for Schumann is going to be. If it was Schumann making those adjustments, I’m a lot more confident in the defense moving forward.

Offensively, while I like Stockton, the lack of proven options at WR definitely hurts. Stockton also falls into profile of typical QBs that Kirby has success with, but ultimately, falls short with. I saw a LOT of Jake Fromm at times last year. Not enough to think it’s going to tank our playoff chances, but unless the defense can bring more pressure and up their game, I think he caps our ceiling a bit.

Happy to finally have a Cocktail Party at home. Always thought that game should rotate between Florida and Georgia.

I’m not as concerned about GT as I was the last two years with Haynes King, but that’s always a game we can’t look past to the SECCG.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

SEC predictions

Now it's on to what you good folks in the South have been REALLY waiting for: My predictions for this conference. Well, here you go:

1. Texas (Conference champs, Playoff)
2. Oklahoma (Playoff)
3. Georgia (Playoff)
4. Alabama (Maybe playoff)
5. Ole Miss (Maybe playoff)
6. LSU
7. Texas A&M
8. Florida
9. Tennessee
10. Vanderbilt
11. Missouri
12. Auburn
13. South Carolina
14. Kentucky
15. Mississippi State
16. Arkansas

And you know... I'm thinking about having my next thread be about the ACC.

Oh man. This is going to be a tough year. I think you could seriously see any combination of 1-7 in the playoffs, and possibly even 1-5 in the SECCG.

I could also see any combination of 5-13 being slotted up or down the same amount.

The only one I really have an issue with is SCAR being ranked at 13. I honestly think they’re much better than the programs above them, especially with some of the coaching and player turnover. If I could bet on any coach learning from their mistakes the previous year, I think it’s Shane Beamer, and still having Sellers and Harbor is a big point in his favor too. I’d slot them way higher.

 

[Xeliou66]

My SEC preseason rankings

1 - Georgia
2 - Texas
3 - Bama
4 - Ole Miss
5 - Oklahoma
6 - Texas A&M
7 - LSU
8 - Tennessee
9 - South Carolina
10 - Florida
11 - Auburn
12 - Vandy
13 - Mizzou
14 - Miss St
15 - Kentucky
16 - Arkansas

 

[Duckboy33]

My SEC Power Ratings:

1. Georgia
2. Texas
3. Alabama
4. Ole Miss
5. Oklahoma
6. Texas A&M
7. LSU
8. South Carolina
9. Auburn
10. Vanderbilt
11. Tennessee
12. Missouri
13. Florida
14. Mississippi State
15. Kentucky
16. Arkansas

 

[occupant]

Oklahoma

Preview segment: The Oklahoma Sooners

Last season: So the Sooners was one of the worst short-yardage teams in the nation last year. Their QB was playing through a hand injury that limited his throwing. And the O-line was injury-prone all season. And despite ALL of that, Oklahoma managed to get into the playoff... and got boast-worthy wins over Michigan and Tennessee and Alabama. Plus, their defense was brilliant throughout the season.
...Man, coach Brent Venables truly saved himself in 2025. Now let's see what his team does in 2026.

Good news: The defense should still be brilliant, with an experienced secondary and a powerful front-7 on the Sooners' side. QB John Mateer is back for one more year, and he's fully healthy.

Bad news: The rushing game was trash last year, so obviously the team has been working on that throughout the offseason. Both Tory Blaylock and Xavier Robinson have shown flashes of greatness, but I wanna see those 2 be more consistent on the field.

Key games:
9/12 @ Michigan (Hmm... Oklahoma didn't do too much to the O-line during spring ball. Maybe they're confident that the line will hold during this HUGE trip to Ann Arbor.)
9/26 @ Georgia (Well, time for another role call of tough SEC games. This will only be the 2nd time ever that Oklahoma and Georgia face each other.)
10/10 vs. Texas [from Dallas] (Now, Oklahoma has met Texas a bunch of times. And this game will be the 125th time the "Red River Rivalry" have taken place.)
11/14 vs. Ole Miss (Wait. The Sooners get to host the Rebels again? Hopefully, this one will go better than the 34-26 loss they suffered last year.)
11/21 vs. Texas A&M (This is the 1st time Oklahoma and Texas A&M will face off as SEC foes. This will also be their first meeting since the 2012 Cotton Bowl.)

Bottom line: Yeah yeah, Oklahoma's schedule looks daunting again. But honestly? I trust the Sooners more than some of the other SEC contenders in 2026. John Mateer should be back in top form, and the defense looks terrifying again. If they fix their run game, Oklahoma should actually win a game in the College Football playoff this time... and maybe more.

I warned everyone that if Venables can get 10 to 15% more offense, than last season, paired with his defense….ppl better hide.

 

[trojanfight]

I warned everyone that if Venables can get 10 to 15% more offense, than last season, paired with his defense….ppl better hide.

It will be interesting to see if that happens. I just dont know if Mateer is all that great of a QB. I pointed out his poor games while at washington st vs Wyoming, Texas Tech, Boise st and others. I didnt think it was going to translate well in the SEC. Maybe its the injury. I just never bought into he was a top 5 QB.

 

[Middawg]

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Honestly, that would have been a better introduction to this thread than the uninformed crap that I gave you people.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

It will be interesting to see if that happens. I just dont know if Mateer is all that great of a QB. I pointed out his poor games while at washington st vs Wyoming, Texas Tech, Boise st and others. I didnt think it was going to translate well in the SEC. Maybe its the injury. I just never bought into he was a top 5 QB.

Oklahoma looked pretty good before that injury, and he just never looked right afterwards. I think he tried to rush back and it just didn’t heal properly.

 

[occupant]

Oklahoma looked pretty good before that injury, and he just never looked right afterwards. I think he tried to rush back and it just didn’t heal properly.

A big part of OU’s offensive woes resulted from around 20 OL configurations and no running game…unless Mateer was scrambling.

I’d heard through some deep pocket channels that Demarco Murray was invited to find another job, not sure how true that is? I did find it very strange that his new employer drafted Ott. A transfer from Cal to OU who couldn’t seem to “stay healthy” or find the field.

Sooner Nation is optimistic, but only because Venables controls the defense.

 

[ericd7633]

My top 10 SEC OOC games:

#1. Ohio State at Texas
#2. Clemson at LSU
#3. Oklahoma at Michigan
#4. Louisville vs. Ole Miss (Nashville, TN)
#5. Arizona State at Texas A&M
#6. Missouri at Kansas
#7. Florida State at Alabama
#8. NC State at Vanderbilt
#9. Tennessee at Georgia Tech
#10. Baylor at Auburn (Atlanta, GA)

Just missed the list: Georgia Tech at Georgia, South Carolina at Clemson, Florida at Florida State, Louisville at Kentucky, Mississippi State at Minnesota.

What's the SEC's record in these 15 games?

 

[ThomasTomasz]

My top 10 SEC OOC games:

#1. Ohio State at Texas
#2. Clemson at LSU
#3. Oklahoma at Michigan
#4. Louisville vs. Ole Miss (Nashville, TN)
#5. Arizona State at Texas A&M
#6. Missouri at Kansas
#7. Florida State at Alabama
#8. NC State at Vanderbilt
#9. Tennessee at Georgia Tech
#10. Baylor at Auburn (Atlanta, GA)

Just missed the list: Georgia Tech at Georgia, South Carolina at Clemson, Florida at Florida State, Louisville at Kentucky, Mississippi State at Minnesota.

What's the SEC's record in these 15 games?

You left out all of the rivalry games?

 

[ericd7633]

You left out all of the rivalry games?

They were in my just missed category. It hurts them being at the end of the year. Out of those 8 teams, UGA is the only one that projects to be really good. How compelling is a 6-5 vs 5-6 game? Maybe a team like Kentucky or FSU will surprise and make those games more compelling. But outside of GT vs. UGA, the other 3 got lost in the shuffle of rivalry week.

 

[Duckboy33]

Duckboy's most Intriguing SEC Games by Week:

Week 1:
1. Clemson at LSU
2. Louisville vs. Ole Miss
3. Baylor vs. Auburn

Week 2:
1. Ohio State at Texas
2. Oklahoma at Michigan
3. Alabama at Kentucky

Week 3:
1. LSU at Ole Miss
2. Florida at Auburn
3. Florida State at Alabama

Week 4:
1. Texas A&M at LSU
2. Oklahoma at Georgia
3. Texas at Tennessee

Week 5:
1. Auburn at Tennessee
2. Florida at Missouri
3. Kentucky at South Carolina

Week 6:
1. Georgia at Alabama
2. Texas vs. Oklahoma
3. Texas A&M at Missouri

Week 7:
1. Alabama at Tennessee
2. Missouri at Ole Miss
3. Florida at Texas

Week 8:
1. Texas A&M at Alabama
2. Ole Miss at Texas
3. LSU at Auburn

Week 9:
1. Florida vs. Georgia
2. South Carolina at Oklahoma
3. Auburn at Ole Miss

Week 10:
1. Georgia at Ole Miss
2. Alabama at LSU
3. Texas A&M at South Carolina

Week 11:
1. Texas at LSU
2. Ole Miss at Oklahoma
3. Alabama at Vanderbilt

Week 12:
1. Texas A&M at Oklahoma
2. LSU at Tennessee
3. Georgia at South Carolina

Week 13:
1. Texas at Texas A&M
2. Auburn at Alabama
3. Oklahoma at Missouri

 

[LeroyOU12]

Oklahoma

Preview segment: The Oklahoma Sooners

Last season: So the Sooners was one of the worst short-yardage teams in the nation last year. Their QB was playing through a hand injury that limited his throwing. And the O-line was injury-prone all season. And despite ALL of that, Oklahoma managed to get into the playoff... and got boast-worthy wins over Michigan and Tennessee and Alabama. Plus, their defense was brilliant throughout the season.
...Man, coach Brent Venables truly saved himself in 2025. Now let's see what his team does in 2026.

Good news: The defense should still be brilliant, with an experienced secondary and a powerful front-7 on the Sooners' side. QB John Mateer is back for one more year, and he's fully healthy.

Bad news: The rushing game was trash last year, so obviously the team has been working on that throughout the offseason. Both Tory Blaylock and Xavier Robinson have shown flashes of greatness, but I wanna see those 2 be more consistent on the field.

Key games:
9/12 @ Michigan (Hmm... Oklahoma didn't do too much to the O-line during spring ball. Maybe they're confident that the line will hold during this HUGE trip to Ann Arbor.)
9/26 @ Georgia (Well, time for another role call of tough SEC games. This will only be the 2nd time ever that Oklahoma and Georgia face each other.)
10/10 vs. Texas [from Dallas] (Now, Oklahoma has met Texas a bunch of times. And this game will be the 125th time the "Red River Rivalry" have taken place.)
11/14 vs. Ole Miss (Wait. The Sooners get to host the Rebels again? Hopefully, this one will go better than the 34-26 loss they suffered last year.)
11/21 vs. Texas A&M (This is the 1st time Oklahoma and Texas A&M will face off as SEC foes. This will also be their first meeting since the 2012 Cotton Bowl.)

Bottom line: Yeah yeah, Oklahoma's schedule looks daunting again. But honestly? I trust the Sooners more than some of the other SEC contenders in 2026. John Mateer should be back in top form, and the defense looks terrifying again. If they fix their run game, Oklahoma should actually win a game in the College Football playoff this time... and maybe more.

OU vs Texas is NOT Red River Rivalry............it's always been RED RIVER SHOOTOUT to OU and TX fans.

The media thought it's political correct to change it to RRR.

 

[Rollo Tomassi]