Georgia Leads SEC Preseason Poll as Order-of-Finish Predictions Dominate Camp Talk

Georgia has been tabbed to win the 2026 SEC Championship, according to the predicted order of finish poll conducted at SEC Media Days in Tampa. The Bulldogs received 88 votes from assembled media members to be crowned conference champions on December 5 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, comfortably outpacing Texas, which collected 57 votes for the top spot under head coach Steve Sarkisian and returning quarterback Arch Manning.

Ole Miss was projected third behind Georgia and Texas, receiving six first-place votes. The Rebels were one of the bigger winners of the week, placing seven players on the Preseason All-SEC teams. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss earned First Team honors at his position, and running back Kewan Lacy was named First Team alongside Missouri's Ahmad Hardy. Ole Miss also launched a joint Heisman campaign for Chambliss and Lacy during the week.

I just have no concern with the ego being an issue because I know how they're wired and their mentality and they know what it takes. I'm very fortunate that we have a returning quarterback. Very fortunate that we have an All-American running back returning, as well in my first year. Super excited. I'm happy to have them.

— Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding, on Chambliss and Lacy

Coaching Changes, Quarterback Battles Fuel Storylines

Five SEC head coaches are set to make their debuts with new programs this fall, and the transition period is drawing significant attention. Ryan Silverfield takes over at Arkansas after the Razorbacks went 2-10 overall and 0-8 in conference play in 2025. Alex Golesh arrives at Auburn from USF, bringing quarterback Byrum Brown with him. Will Stein, the former Oregon offensive coordinator who developed Bo Nix, Dillon Gabriel, and Dante Moore, is now at the helm at Kentucky, where transfer quarterback Kenny Minchey gives the offense an immediate dual-threat option. Jon Sumrall steps in at Florida, where the Gators return running back Jadan Baugh and wide receivers Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III.

Quarterback battles at Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee, and Alabama are among the most-watched competitions heading into camp. At Tennessee, Josh Heupel enters his sixth season with George McIntyre and Fiazon Brandon competing for the starting role. Vanderbilt, meanwhile, must replace Heisman finalist Diego Pavia, with five-star freshman Jared Curtis — who chose the Commodores over Georgia — expected to start immediately. Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor, projected 15th in the SEC media poll, gives Jeff Lebby a dual-threat option as the third-year coach works to quiet hot-seat talk.

Texas A&M enters the season likely to be ranked in the preseason top 10 for the first time in the Mike Elko era, coming off its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance after an 11-0 regular-season start in 2025. The Aggies have finished one win short of the SEC Championship Game in each of Elko's first two seasons, with Texas serving as the obstacle both times. Missouri opens the conference season on September 3 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, with the broader SEC schedule kicking off shortly after.