Aggie Gameday Extra Podcast: A way-too-early ranking of 2025 SEC football teams

As the calendar rolls over to 2025, college football fans and analysts alike are already looking ahead to the next season, even though there’s still plenty of football to be played in the current year. With the SEC being one of the most competitive and prestigious conferences in college football, predictions about team rankings and who will come out on top in the 2025 season are already generating buzz. The Aggie Gameday Extra Podcast has taken it upon itself to dive into these early discussions, offering a way-too-early ranking of the SEC football teams.

While the 2025 season might seem like a long way off, it’s never too early to start speculating about which teams will dominate, which ones will surprise, and which ones might fall short of expectations. Of course, as with any way-too-early ranking, these predictions are based on a combination of returning talent, recruiting classes, coaching stability, and recent performance trends. With the heavyweights in the SEC, such as Alabama, Georgia, and LSU, it’s always a challenge to predict how things will unfold, but that’s the beauty of college football.

In this podcast episode, we break down the key teams in the SEC, ranking them based on their projected strength heading into the 2025 season. Let’s dive into what makes each team a contender, who might have a chance to surprise, and why some teams might need to adjust their expectations in the coming years.

1. Georgia Bulldogs: The Reigning Powerhouse

It’s hard to ignore the Georgia Bulldogs when discussing any future season in the SEC, especially with the incredible dominance they’ve shown under head coach Kirby Smart. Having won back-to-back national championships in 2023 and 2024, Georgia is the gold standard in college football right now. Despite some potential departures to the NFL Draft, the Bulldogs remain at the top of the SEC, thanks to their unparalleled depth and the consistent development of top-tier talent.

Quarterback Carson Beck, who will likely still be the signal-caller for Georgia in 2025, has emerged as one of the nation’s premier quarterbacks. His growth as a leader and decision-maker has been a key factor in Georgia’s success, and heading into 2025, he should be even better. Alongside him, Georgia’s defense, historically one of the best in the nation, will continue to be a force. With a pipeline of elite recruits at every position, Georgia will not be losing any traction in the SEC anytime soon.

The biggest question for Georgia in 2025 will be how they manage the loss of key players from their 2024 championship roster. However, even with the potential turnover, Georgia’s recruiting has remained stellar, with high-impact recruits lined up to take on important roles. Don’t expect any dramatic slip-off from the Bulldogs as they’ll continue to lead the way as the top-ranked team in the SEC.

2. Alabama Crimson Tide: Reloading with a Vengeance

Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide have long been one of the most dominant forces in college football, and though they fell short of national championships in recent seasons, Alabama always manages to reload. In 2025, expect Alabama to be right back in the conversation for both the SEC Championship and a playoff berth.

The return of Jalen Milroe, assuming he stays for his senior season, at quarterback will provide stability for the Tide. Milroe has shown flashes of brilliance in 2024, and with a year of development, he could take the next step in 2025. Combine that with a strong offensive line and a talented group of wide receivers, and Alabama‘s offense should be formidable.

On the defensive side, Alabama’s tradition of tough, fast, and physical play won’t be going away. Nick Saban has assembled another excellent defensive unit, with standout players like Dallas Turner and Trezmen Marshall expected to lead the way. Even as some key players head to the pros, Alabama has more than enough depth to ensure that their defense remains one of the best in the conference.

Alabama’s recruiting class for 2025 is also one of the best in the nation, and with their consistent ability to develop talent, they should be ready to compete for the top spot in the SEC, if not the national title.

3. LSU Tigers: The Rise of Brian Kelly

LSU, under Brian Kelly, has quickly become one of the most dangerous programs in the SEC. After a successful 2024 season that included an appearance in a major bowl, LSU appears to be on the rise. Jayden Daniels, who has blossomed into one of the best quarterbacks in college football, could return for his final season in 2025, giving the Tigers a dangerous offensive weapon under center.

LSU has also built a strong, physical defense that has become the hallmark of Kelly’s program. In 2025, LSU’s defense, led by emerging stars like Harold Perkins Jr. and Mekhi Wingo, should be a force to be reckoned with. Combine that with the Tigers’ high-powered offense, and LSU could very well challenge for the SEC Championship.

With Brian Kelly now firmly established in Baton Rouge, LSU’s recruiting pipeline has also become one of the nation’s most elite. The Tigers’ 2025 recruiting class is expected to bring in a talented group of players across multiple positions, further solidifying their status as one of the conference’s top teams.

4. Texas A&M Aggies: A Critical Year for Jimbo Fisher

Texas A&M has shown flashes of potential under head coach Jimbo Fisher, but they’ve struggled to put it all together consistently. The Aggies have one of the most talented rosters in the SEC, and they are capable of competing at a high level. With Haynes King and Max Johnson expected to return in 2025, the quarterback position will remain an area of focus, as Fisher has yet to settle on a long-term solution under center.

Defensively, Texas A&M has the talent to be a top-tier unit. Players like Antonio Johnson and Demani Richardson have made huge impacts for the Aggies in recent years, and the defense should remain one of the stronger units in the conference.

For Texas A&M to make a leap in 2025, however, they’ll need to improve their offensive consistency and find a way to win big games in the SEC. If Jimbo Fisher can finally get this team to maximize its potential, Texas A&M could be a serious contender for the SEC Championship.

5. Tennessee Volunteers: Continuing to Build Momentum

Under Josh Heupel, Tennessee has been one of the more exciting teams in the SEC in recent years. Heupel’s fast-paced, high-scoring offense has taken the college football world by storm, and Tennessee has quickly become a perennial contender. Joe Milton, assuming he returns for his final season, will lead the Volunteers’ high-powered offense. He’s shown tremendous potential, and with a full season to develop, he could be one of the top quarterbacks in the conference in 2025.

While the offense will be the driving force for Tennessee, the defense has made significant strides as well. With rising stars like Tyreke Key and Kamal Hadden, Tennessee has begun to develop a defense capable of going toe-to-toe with the best teams in the SEC.

The key for Tennessee in 2025 will be maintaining consistency and avoiding the slip-ups that have plagued the program in the past. If the Volunteers can improve defensively and continue to play at the high level we’ve come to expect from Heupel’s offense, they’ll be a dangerous team in the SEC.

6. Auburn Tigers: The Road to Recovery

Auburn has undergone a coaching change, with Hugh Freeze now in charge of the program. The Tigers have always had talent, but under the leadership of Freeze, the hope is that they can finally return to competing for SEC championships. The 2025 season will be a critical one for the Tigers as they transition to Freeze’s system.

Auburn will rely on Payton Thorne to lead the offense, but Freeze will need to quickly establish an identity for the Tigers on both sides of the ball. The defense, led by standout players like Jalil Irvin, will need to play at a high level for Auburn to stay competitive in the tough SEC West.

The key for Auburn will be how quickly they can adapt to Freeze’s offensive philosophy and recruit the necessary talent to compete at the highest level.

7. Mississippi State Bulldogs: Steady Progress Under Zach Arnett

Under Zach Arnett, Mississippi State has made steady progress. While the Bulldogs might not be ready to challenge for an SEC title just yet, they are a solid team capable of pulling off upsets and competing with some of the best programs in the conference. With a talented quarterback like Will Rogers under center, Mississippi State could find itself in a good position to be a middle-of-the-pack contender in the SEC.

8. Ole Miss Rebels: Seeking Consistency

Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels have been an unpredictable team in the SEC. While they’ve had some strong seasons, they’ve struggled with consistency. Ole Miss is a program that could surprise in 2025, depending on how their quarterback situation shakes out and how well they can improve defensively.