SEC Power Rankings After Week 14: Georgia Reclaims the Throne, CFP Picture Crystalizes
The regular season is in the books. Rivalries have been settled, the mashed potatoes are gone, and all eyes now turn to the postseason. Week 14 wrapped up a wild, unpredictable SEC campaign that saw preseason favorites stumble, underdogs rise, and the College Football Playoff picture come into sharper focus.
Let’s dive into the final SEC power rankings before the postseason kicks off.
1. Georgia (11-1, 7-1 SEC)
Previous Rank: 2
Georgia finishes the regular season back on top, and they earned every bit of it. After an early-season stumble at home against Alabama, the Bulldogs regrouped and rattled off win after win, clawing their way back into the SEC Championship Game for a rematch against the Tide.
It wasn’t always dominant-six of their games were decided by ten points or fewer-but Georgia proved they know how to close. Their 16-7 win over Georgia Tech wasn’t flashy, but it was gritty and emblematic of a team that refuses to break.
The Dawgs are playoff-bound and battle-tested.
2. Oklahoma (10-2, 6-2 SEC)
Previous Rank: 4
Oklahoma’s season came down to one final defensive stand. Up four points late against LSU, the Sooners needed a fourth-down stop to seal their playoff fate-and they got it.
That moment capped off a season of resilience, where OU consistently rose to the occasion. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was effective.
They answered every challenge, especially down the stretch, and now they’re headed to the College Football Playoff in their first SEC season. That’s how you make a statement.
3. Alabama (10-2, 7-1 SEC)
Previous Rank: 5
The Crimson Tide survived the Iron Bowl, and now they’ve got a shot at the SEC crown. After an opening-week loss to Florida State, Alabama recalibrated and surged through the SEC schedule.
A win over Georgia in the title game could lock in a playoff spot. A loss?
That’s where things get interesting. No three-loss team has ever made the CFP, but if anyone’s going to test that precedent, it’s Bama.
Either way, they’re still right in the thick of the national conversation.
4. Ole Miss (11-1, 7-1 SEC)
Previous Rank: 3
The Rebels are heading to the College Football Playoff for the first time ever, and they did it in style. They held onto the Golden Egg in the Egg Bowl, finishing the regular season with their best record since 1962.
There were moments where it felt like the dream might slip away, but Ole Miss answered the bell when it mattered most. Now they await their first-round opponent, with history already made and more within reach.
5. Texas A&M (11-1, 7-1 SEC)
Previous Rank: 1
This one stings. The Aggies were on the cusp of a perfect regular season and a shot at their first SEC Championship Game appearance.
But they couldn’t finish the job. Still, an 11-1 record and a playoff berth is nothing to scoff at.
There’s still a path to redemption, and A&M has the talent to make a deep run. But that missed opportunity will linger-at least for now.
6. Vanderbilt (10-2, 6-2 SEC)
Previous Rank: 6
What a season for the Commodores. Ten wins.
A blowout win over Tennessee in Knoxville. One of the best years in program history.
Even if the CFP committee doesn’t call their name, Vanderbilt has every reason to celebrate. They’ve raised the bar in Nashville, and this season will be remembered for a long time-regardless of how the postseason shakes out.
7. Texas (9-3, 6-2 SEC)
Previous Rank: 7
Texas entered the year with sky-high expectations as the preseason No. 1, and while they didn’t quite live up to that billing, they still carved out a solid season. Wins over rivals Texas A&M and Oklahoma stand out, even if they won’t be enough to land them in the playoff. The Longhorns finished strong and showed flashes of what this team could be when firing on all cylinders.
8. Missouri (8-4, 4-4 SEC)
Previous Rank: 9
Missouri quietly put together a solid campaign, finishing 8-4 and locking in a contract extension for their head coach. It wasn’t a season that made national headlines, but the Tigers were consistent and competitive. They’ll land in a respectable bowl game and head into 2026 with momentum and stability-two things that go a long way in this league.
9. Tennessee (8-4, 4-4 SEC)
Previous Rank: 8
Tennessee couldn’t get it done in the big moments. Losses to Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, and a humbling defeat at the hands of Vanderbilt will leave a sour taste in Knoxville.
Ending the losing streak in The Swamp was a bright spot, but the Vols came up short when it mattered most. They’ll have to regroup and figure out how to take that next step.
10. LSU (7-5, 3-5 SEC)
Previous Rank: 13
It’s hard to believe this is the same LSU team that opened the season with a win over Clemson and sat atop the rankings early on. The Tigers limped to the finish line, losing five of their last eight and playing uninspired football down the stretch.
A major coaching buyout signals a full reset is coming. This program needs a spark-and fast.
11. Auburn (5-7, 1-7 SEC)
Previous Rank: 12
Auburn gave Alabama a scare in the Iron Bowl, but moral victories won’t get you into a bowl game. The Tigers finish just outside the postseason, and they’ll be left wondering what might’ve been if a few bounces had gone their way. One loss to Kentucky made the difference between playing in December and packing up early.
12. Kentucky (5-7, 2-6 SEC)
Previous Rank: 10
The Wildcats closed out the year with a rough loss to Louisville and more questions than answers. Late-season SEC wins helped avoid a total collapse, but this team never found its rhythm. It’s back to the drawing board in Lexington, where the pressure will be on to right the ship in 2026.
13. Mississippi State (5-7, 1-7 SEC)
Previous Rank: 11
No bowl. No Golden Egg.
But at least the Bulldogs avoided another winless SEC season. Their lone conference win came over Arkansas, and it was enough to keep them out of the basement.
That’s not exactly the standard in Starkville, but it’s something. They’ll need a big offseason to climb back into relevance.
14. Florida (4-8, 2-6 SEC)
Previous Rank: 15
The Gators’ season was a mess, but they salvaged some pride with a rivalry win over Florida State that kept the Seminoles out of a bowl. Now, they turn the page to 2026 with John Sumrall taking over from Tulane.
Florida fans are hoping he’s the guy who can bring the program back to national prominence. It’s been a long road, but maybe the climb starts now.
15. South Carolina (4-8, 1-7 SEC)
Previous Rank: 14
The Gamecocks ended the season with a loss to Clemson and a lot of what-ifs. That near-upset at Texas A&M back in October looms large-had they held on, this season might look very different. Instead, it’s another disappointing finish and a long offseason ahead.
16. Arkansas (2-10, 0-8 SEC)
Previous Rank: 16
It’s officially rock bottom for the Razorbacks. A winless conference slate.
Blowouts. Close losses.
It all added up to a 2-10 season and the worst record in the SEC. Last year, Mississippi State wore the 0-8 crown.
This year, it’s Arkansas. The rebuild starts now, and it won’t be easy.
Final Thoughts:
The SEC never fails to deliver drama, and 2025 was no exception.
From Georgia’s bounce-back to Vanderbilt’s rise, from Alabama’s playoff push to Arkansas’ collapse, this season had it all. Now, with bowl season and the College Football Playoff on deck, the stakes only get higher.
Buckle up-December football in the SEC is just getting started.