The SEC should feature some of the nation’s best offenses in 2026, but not every team is positioned to take a step forward. Coaching changes, quarterback continuity, roster turnover and offensive line stability will all shape which units improve and which ones regress. As the countdown to kickoff continues, here’s a look at the SEC offenses most likely to rise — and those facing the biggest step back this season.
Better : LSU
It feels like the most obvious choice. LSU finished last in the SEC in yards per game (333.5), 15th in yards per play (5.28), and 14th in scoring offense (22.8). They also ranked last in rushing offense at just 104 yards per game. It was the second consecutive year the Tigers finished last in rushing offense, and the previous season was behind a line that featured four players that were selected in the NFL Draft.
Lane Kiffin may not win a national title in year one, but there’s almost no way his offense won’t succeed. There’s just too strong of a track record to suggest otherwise and the roster is loaded with talent. LSU averaged just 22.8 ppg in 2025. None of Kiffin’s offenses at Ole Miss ever averaged less than 33.5 in a season. Expect big changes and expect them right away.
Better: Oklahoma
There are a lot of teams in the SEC that you can look at through the lens of winning games in spite of the defense. For instance, teams like LSU or Texas. Can those teams hold opponents under 20 to 24 points per game? Because if they can, they’re most likely going to win a lot of games considering what their offense should be able to do.
Oklahoma is the opposite and that feels like a more comfortable place to be.
Last season Oklahoma scored more than 30 points just four times in 13 games. One of those games was aided by a defensive touchdown. Offensively there was a lot left to be desired. Defensively, the Sooners were elite. They allowed more than 27 points twice all season and held nine of their 12 regular season opponents to 21 points or less.
Oklahoma ranked 12th in the SEC in scoring (26.2) a year ago. Their offensive production got worse each month during the season. Some of that is expected since most teams play weaker games in September, and Oklahoma’s quarterback was injured. From September to November, the Sooners’ scoring dropped by -7.8 ppg and -123 ypg. Not all of their issues were the competition they were facing. They suffered injuries all over for a second year in a row and couldn’t seem to gel as an offense as the season went on. That result was still a ten win season and a spot in the CFP.
Imagine what they’ll look like with an offense that is anywhere close to as good as the defense should be once again.
Worse: Texas A&M
It’s not even a bad thing to expect regression. It’s hard to improve on a season that yielded the most regular season wins in program history (11) and a berth in the CFP.
The offense should be fine this season. There’s talent and they return what is essentially a third year starting quarterback in Marcel Reed. But, they also have to replace four starters on the offensive line, a first round draft pick at wide receiver, and their offensive coordinator. That’s just a lot of change and a lot of continuity that needs to gel fast if they’re going to return to the 12 team field and chase their first national title since 1939.
Better: South Carolina
It can’t be much worse. South Carolina allowed 40 or more sacks for a third straight season a year ago. They finished 15th in the SEC in scoring (22.7), 15th in total yards (336.3), and 16th in rush yards per carry (3.24). They averaged just 18.1 ppg in conference and scored over 22 points in conference play just twice with one of those resulting in a blown 30-3 lead.
The Gamecocks were awful on offense.
Here’s the good news, the weak links that held back that offense are all gone. And before anyone says it – none of them were named LaNorris Sellers. South Carolina brought in offensive coordinator Kendal Briles who should not only be much more dynamic as a play caller but will also manage the offense in a way that is catered to the skillset of Sellers and the help around him. What a novel concept.
Worse: Alabama
This one may deserve an asterisk. On one hand it’s really hard to see Alabama get worse on offense after they closed the season scoring seven and three points respectively in two of their final three games. The losses were by an average of 28 points and one came with -3 yards rushing in the SEC Championship Game.
Alabama’s offensive line and run game was horrific in 2025. The scary part is that the unit lost the best parts of each. Running back Jam Miller is off to the NFL. They also lost a top 15 pick in last year’s NFL Draft at left tackle. The receiving corps lost Germie Bernard and Isaiah Horton and battled some injuries in spring practice. If that wasn’t concerning enough, the Tide will also be breaking in a new starter at quarterback and it most likely won’t be a guy who spent three years waiting for his turn like Ty Simpson.
There’s a lot to like about the potential that Alabama could field offensively, but with 67 days left until opening kickoff it’s hard to imagine it’s significantly better than a season ago.
Worse: Ole Miss
This one feels weird since Ole Miss has arguably the two best offensive players in the conference in Kewan Lacy and Trinidad Chambliss. It’s just everything else around those two that is concerning. Yes, there’s talent. Yes, it’s a solid hire at offensive coordinator bringing in a boy wonder with three first names from East Carolina. But, it’s hard to fully buy into the offense getting better considering how good it was a season ago and the absence of Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr. in 2026.
Quick Hitters
Kentucky – Better
Auburn – Better
Tennessee – Worse
Arkansas – Worse
Texas – Better
Florida – Better
Missouri – Same
Georgia – Same
Vanderbilt – Worse
Mississippi State – Same
