Randy Smith
The Southeastern Conference hasn't won a national title since 2022. (Georgia) The Big-Ten (Michigan and Ohio State) has claimed the last two so it's time for the SEC to regain its title as the strongest football conference in the nation. It could happen. We're half-way through the league's 2025 preview and today we take a look at teams eight through five.
8. Ole Miss
Lane Kiffin has led his Rebels to three straight 10-win seasons and while fourteen starters from last season have moved on, the talent is there once again for Ole Miss to challenge for the SEC title.
Kiffin is known for his ability to develop quarterbacks and with three-year starter Jaxon Dart now playing in the NFL, it's Austin Simmons' turn to pull the trigger. Ole Miss has been a big participant in the Transfer Portal and the jury is still out on how successful it's been. Defensively, the Rebs have been very good and should be good again. If you take away the Ole Miss losses to Kentucky and Florida last year, which were both upsets, the Rebels would have made the CFB Playoffs. That's a possibly once again but they have to take care of business.
7. Tennessee
The Volunteers have some major question marks going into the 2025 season and the biggest one is at quarterback. The sad, sudden departure of Nico Iamaleava in the spring caused a big uproar but I still support Coach Josh Heupel's decision. Bringing in Joey Aguilar to compete with Jake Merklinger and George MacIntyre was smart, however Aguilar is not nearly as talented as Nico but he is good enough to get the job done. If the Vols' thin receiving corps steps up along with a young defense, Tennessee could have another banner year. Most experts are predicting the Big Orange to finish in the bottom half of the SEC. I don't agree with that assumption. They may not make the playoffs but 9-10 wins is a distinct possibility. The biggest factor is Joey Aguilar and how soon he grasps Coach Heupel's system.
6. South Carolina
Perhaps the hottest team in the SEC from mid-season on last year was South Carolina. The Gamecocks finished the regular season with six straight wins including a 17-14 win at rival Clemson....a team that would play in the first round of the playoffs. They lost to Illinois in the Citrus Bowl to finish 8-4 in Coach Shane Beamer's fourth season and the prospects are looking good for 2025. Leading the way is
quarterback LaNorris Sellers who is one of the most talented signal callers in the league. That's the good news. The bad news is the Gamecocks lost a lot on defense and other key areas. They're suspect at receiver and in the backfield but if they are able to start strong they could be looking at a very good season.
5. LSU
The Bengal Tigers have mostly been disappointing in Coach Brian Kelly's three seasons. They're 29-11 and while that isn't bad at all, he's looking for improvement in year four. LSU returns Garrett Nussmeier at quarterback and he's talented enough to lead his team to a playoff spot. For the first time since the Transfer Portal opened, Kelly has seriously embraced it and improved his team to the point he says this is the best roster he's had in Baton Rouge. The Bengals still have a lot of work to do however and finding a few receivers to go along with returning starter Aaron Anderson who led the team with 61 catches in 2024 is Imperative. LSU has a very tough season opener at powerful Clemson on August 30th but a win in that game could propel the Tigers and send them on their way to the CFB Playoffs.
On Monday we'll preview the teams I feel have the best chance of making the playoffs....the teams I feel are the four best in the SEC for 2025.
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Randy Smith can be reached at rsmithsports@epbfi.com