We’ve crossed the midway point of the 2025 college football season, and the picture in the SEC is starting to become crystal clear. Three unbeaten teams have separated themselves from the pack, a cluster of one-loss contenders are still lurking, and about half the league is fighting just to stay afloat.
Here’s where every team stands in the conference hierarchy.
The unbeaten elite
At the top, a clear trio has emerged. Ole Miss (6-0, 3-0 SEC), Texas A&M (6-0, 3-0 SEC), and Alabama (5-1, 3-0 SEC) remain unbeaten in conference play and are in firm control of their own destiny. The Rebels have an explosive offense, A&M looks as balanced as it’s ever been, and Alabama, after a slow start, looks like Alabama again. These three are the undisputed championship contenders. They are leading the charge for the playoff push, though other teams are indeed able to challenge like the teams below.
The 1-loss contenders
Just behind the top tier is a dangerous group of one-loss teams still in the hunt. Georgia (5-1, 3-1 SEC) is lurking, while LSU (5-1, 2-1 SEC) and Tennessee (5-1, 2-1 SEC) have the firepower to beat anyone on any given Saturday. This group could easily play spoiler or make a late run if one of the top teams slips up.
Each of these teams will have their opportunity to get in that SEC championship discussion.
The muddled middle
The heart of the conference is a chaotic mix of teams trying to find their footing. Missouri (5-1, 1-1 SEC), Oklahoma (5-1, 1-1 SEC), Vanderbilt (5-1, 1-1 SEC), and Texas (4-2, 1-1 SEC) are all solid teams capable of pulling off an upset and fighting for a quality bowl game. This tier represents the brutal depth of the SEC, where no week is an easy out.
Stuck at the bottom
Finally, there's the group fighting to stay out of the cellar. Florida (2-4, 1-2 SEC), South Carolina (3-3, 1-3 SEC), Mississippi State (4-2, 0-2 SEC), Arkansas (2-4, 0-2 SEC), Auburn (3-3, 0-3 SEC), and Kentucky (2-3, 0-3 SEC) are all struggling with consistency or coaching. Bobby Petrino nearly pulled off an upset in Knoxville, and South Carolina has regressed.
For Kentucky, the real test is just looking like an SEC team. Right now, they are being out-coached and outplayed in every area with the exception of kicking.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion