Now that the regular season has ended, it's time to examine the SEC programs and their trajectory. This isn't a ranking of the top programs or even the best in the conference; it is a categorizing and ranking of each program's direction. Thus, teams like Georgia will be in the "staying the same" category because they were good, continue to be good, and project to stay good. This is their trajectory.
There are three categories: "Going Upwards," "Staying the Same," and "Going Backwards." Each category has five or six teams, but they are ranked from 1 to 16 based on their trajectory. 1 is the team that is going upwards the most, and 16 is the team that is descending the most.
Going Upwards
1. Texas A&M
Kentucky fans will remember this because Mark Stoops tried to go to the Aggies before their boosters blocked the hire. The Aggies get to be at the top of this ranking because they are still working with a new coach and staff and were hanging at the top of the SEC all season. They've had a rough ending to the SEC, but to do what they did this quickly indicates they are on an upward trajectory.
2. Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt has been the doormat of the SEC for decades, but this year, they pulled off some big wins to become a respectable program and a Cinderella in the college football world. They seem to have found a great coach, and things are trending way up for them.
3. South Carolina
Mark Stoops has said he wants to turn around Kentucky as Shane Beamer has over at South Carolina. The Gamecocks did what Stoops couldn't do this year: they have a bad offensive line and still win football games. South Carolina is a bubble team for the College Football Playoff; that's the trajectory that would be a dream for Kentucky.
4. Florida
DJ Lagway may have saved Billy Napier's career. Things were destined to end poorly for Napier in Florida, but then, out of nowhere, they became a big factor on the football field, winning huge games down the stretch. They also have done some impressive things in recruiting this cycle. They are a team to watch for sure and among the fastest risers.
5. Tennessee
Kentucky fans will hate this, but the Volunteers seem to be trending in the right direction. Coach Heupel seems to have figured out how to get the most out of his football team, and they were really one or two key wins away from having an outstanding season.
6. Ole Miss
It was a big debate whether Ole Miss should be in the "staying the same" or "going upwards " category. It is rumored they spent about $20 million in portal/recruiting last year to field a team that is still on the outside looking in for the playoffs. However, Lane Kiffin seems to have this football program headed in the right direction.
Staying the Same
7. Georgia
Georgia is Georgia. They are winners, and they are constantly at the top of the conference and thus the top of the nation. They are the top of the "staying the same" because there's not really a way to have more of an upward trajectory. Right now, Kirby Smart just wants to maintain top-five football year after year like Nick Saban did.
8. Texas
Texas had a good season and will have a good recruiting cycle. They will remain at the top of the conference conversation year in and year out. They seem to be a great addition to the SEC.
9. Missouri
Missouri seems to be neither good nor bad every year. It is the same old Missouri, tricking the nation into thinking it is a great team and then proceeding to not be.
10. Arkansas
Reports are that they aren't going to be firing their coach, so it'll be more of the same for at least next season.
11. Mississippi State
It's bad when you go winless in the SEC, and some random writer says you're staying the same. The Bulldogs are not good and will continue to be bad next season. They could easily be on the upward trajectory, but there's not much hope they will be.
Going Backwards
12. Auburn
This was a tough decision. On one hand, they ended the season relatively strong and have a good recruiting class. Yet Hugh Freeze doesn't seem to have them on the right track. There is a lot of drama on and off the field with Freeze, and it may end up costing the program years to fix.
13. Alabama
Kalen Deboer is a good coach, but he's not Nick Saban. This program has tanked in comparison. 3 losses is a lot for Bama fans.
14. LSU
LSU got owned to end the season. When they were headed towards the top, they got swatted back down. Then Brian Kelly proceeded to lose big recruit after big recruit while he was able to flip others. The program has spiraled in a few weeks. Kelly is working to right the ship, but it's not great right now.
15. Kentucky
Kentucky should be last. There I said it—it's a dumpster fire, and unless Mark Stoops decides to leave on his own, which he said he won't, it's only getting worse. They would be last on this list if it wasn't for Oklahoma. Here's the thing: Kentucky has never been at the top, so the trajectory of descent is not as sharp. It is for the Sooners.
16. Oklahoma
It's been a terrible year for Oklahoma, and things don't appear to be going in the right direction. Brett Venables may prove this poor writer wrong, but they were perennially one of the best teams in the nation, and now they are bad—real bad.