Predicting SEC spots in first 2025 AP Top 25 poll

By Chris Marler

The first AP Top 25 poll is set for release Monday around noon ET, and fans already seem eager to overreact, and be upset, no matter the outcome. Part of that is the offseason waning on fans and feeling like it will never come to an end. So, a triggered response to anything they remotely disagree with is almost certainly going to happen. 

The other part of it stems from just how inaccurate the AP Poll has been recently. Last season was the 19th in the past 21 years in which a preseason top 10 team ended the year unranked. More than half of last year’s preseason top 25 finished unranked with 13 teams finishing outside the final poll. 

Here is a prediction of which teams will be ranked, and where, before Monday’s initial poll is released.

Texas – No. 2 

Texas and Ohio State seem to be the consensus favorites to be No. 1 and No. 2 going into the season. You can also add Penn State into that mix. As crazy as Arch Manning mania has been all offseason, something tells me either Penn State or Ohio State will be at No. 1 when the poll is unveiled Monday. 

Georgia – No. 6

This feels insane that Georgia could somehow be out of the top five, especially since it hasn’t happened since 2017. However, Clemson, Notre Dame, Penn State, Texas and Ohio State have all generated more buzz from the national media this year. Buy all the stock available in a Kirby Smart-led team with a chip on its shoulder.

Alabama – No. 8 

You can interchange Alabama and LSU at these positions, to be honest. It feels like eight or nine is a little too low for both considering the incredible amount of talent on each team. However, Alabama has less questions than the Tigers. These two are attached at the hip in most preseason polls, but expect Alabama to be slightly ahead Monday. 

LSU – No. 9

Everyone talks about how many players each team has brought in from the transfer portal. Not enough people are talking about the fact that LSU’s class brought in 11 four-stars. No other team in the SEC signed more than five. 

South Carolina – No. 12

Shane Beamer has done a tremendous job during his first four years at South Carolina. There’s no better example of that than where South Carolina ranked in the preseason Coaches Poll. The No. 13 ranking is not only the first preseason ranking the Gamecocks have had in over a decade, but it’s also the highest they’ve been ranked since 2014. 

Ole Miss – No. 13

There’s a ton of turnover on this Ole Miss team in comparison to last year’s group. Regardless, Lane Kiffin has won ten or more games in three of the last four seasons and has Ole Miss relevant and ranked in the top 15 once again. 

Florida – No. 15

DJ Lagway has driven the offseason hype train into Gainesville, and with very good reason. The schedule is unreal and extremely difficult, but there’s a very calm, quiet confidence coming from Billy Napier’s bunch ahead of 2025. 

Texas A&M – No. 20

Because, of course they will be. 

Auburn – No. 22 

This is the most talented team Hugh Freeze has ever coached. That includes the teams he had at Ole Miss from 2014 to 2015. They’ve had back to back top ten recruiting classes and a top five transfer portal class. From a roster standpoint they should be ranked around No. 10 to No. 15 in the country. Hugh Freeze just needs to prove he isn’t the problem as the man in charge. 

Missouri – Not Ranked 

Missouri not being ranked Monday will be as maddening as it is real. The national media continue to sleep on this team despite the talent they brought in in the portal and winning ten or more games in back to back seasons.