The SEC, as usual, will be one of the deepest leagues in college football next season. There's rarely a weekend off in the league, a fact that Kalen DeBoer learned the hard way at Alabama last season on unfortunate weekends in Nashville and Norman.
With spring practice in the rearview and rosters mostly settled following the closing of the Transfer Portal, we're examining the SEC by tier. We've already looked at the four teams in the league that have no shot of capturing the SEC Championship.
Before we can move on to the contenders, we'll take a look at a much more volatile tier of SEC programs. The tier of programs that probably won't win the SEC, but it wouldn't be a total shock if they made a run. The teams that simultaneously could make a run toward the league and just as easily finish near the cellar.
These teams have wide ranges of potential, and if you're a betting man, you might be wise to avoid putting your hard-earned money on any of their win totals on FanDuel.
These five SEC teams could win the league with a little luck, or completely bottom out
Florida Gators
It all rests on the shoulder of sophomore QB DJ Lagway for Billy Napier and the Florida Gators. Napier and company navigated one of the most difficult schedules in the country last season, and after starting 1-2, the Gators went 7-3 down the stretch to finish 8-5 and restore the faith in Napier's direction for the program.
Lagway is as talented as any QB in the country and a big reason for optimism in 2025. But his right shoulder is a genuine concern and has Florida fans holding their breath. A healthy Lagway and the Gators could be a legitimate playoff threat. If his shoulder gives out, then Florida could bottom out and Napier could be headed to the unemployment line.
Missouri Tigers
Eli Drinkwitz will have his work cut out for him in 2025 in Columbia. Missouri will be replacing a lot of talent offensively. Gone are QB Brady Cook, and elite WR Luther Burden. Drinkwitz is handing the keys to his offense to Penn State transfer QB Beau Pribula.
If Pribula is a hit, then the Tigers could be similar to where they were this past season and right on the cusp of a playoff berth. If he's a bust, then Missouri could slide toward the bottom of the SEC standings.
Tennessee Volunteers
Call me a hater - you can because it's true - but I think Tennessee could bottom out in 2025. Nico Iamaleava leaving is a bigger loss than Vols fans would have you believe and UCLA transfer Joey Aguilar is a big downgrade.
Tennessee doesn't boast an impressive group of skill players at WR and there's legitimate concerns about the offensive line. They have talent on defense, but James Pearce won't be easy to replace on the defensive line.
Josh Heupel recruits well enough and 2025 might just be a blip on the radar, but a return to the College Football Playoff seems unlikely for the Vols. They might be fighting to just make a bowl game.
Auburn Tigers
Alabama fans won't like to hear it, but odds seem good that Auburn will be better in 2025. How much better probably depends on if Oklahoma transfer Jackson Arnold can run the offense effectively and shake off the issues that plagued him in Norman. He'll have plenty of talent at WR to help. Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton Jr. are as good of a duo as you'll find in the country.
It's a pivotal year for Hugh Freeze. He's 11-14 in two years at Auburn and the Tigers haven't posted a winning season since 2020. That will probably change this season, but Auburn is probably still not quite good enough to be a serious SEC and playoff contender.
Oklahoma Sooners
The team I think could make the biggest leap forward in the SEC this season is Oklahoma. Like Freeze, this year is pivotal for Brent Venables and the Sooners landed an impressive Transfer Portal class headlined by Washington State QB John Mateer and Cal RB Jaydn Ott.
Mateer is the biggest reason for optimism in Norman. He's a big upgrade over Arnold. He was outstanding for the Cougars last season. If he plays at the level, he's capable of and the Sooners can stay healthy, they could be a legitimate playoff contender.
If Oklahoma doesn't at least threaten the playoff, they may be looking for a new head coach.