After producing back-to-back nationwide champions, the Massive Ten has taken excessive of faculty soccer. Now, the SEC is trying to strike again in 2025.
Horrible Star Wars jokes apart, the SEC should be seething as rivals Ohio State and Michigan declare nationwide titles. The Massive Ten’s run follows a stretch wherein SEC stalwarts Georgia, Alabama and LSU mixed to win 4 straight natties. The steadiness of energy has shifted north, and that development seems prone to proceed subsequent fall. Two Massive Ten groups — Ohio State first and Oregon third — are among the many three favorites to win the 2025 nationwide championship, with Texas holding the nation’s second-best odds, in response to FanDuel.
The SEC faces main questions, and a number of other coaches are at pivotal moments of their careers heading into 2025. Alabama followers are already questioning the longer term after an uninspiring begin to the Kalen DeBoer period. LSU’s Brian Kelly did not win 10 video games for the primary time in eight years. Georgia fell wanting the nationwide championship with a lackluster Faculty Soccer Playoff loss to Notre Dame.
Nonetheless, oddsmakers venture the SEC to ship 12 groups to bowl video games in 2025 — one fewer than final season, when Vanderbilt stormed the scene with a 7-6 report that included an upset over No. 1 Alabama.
FanDuel lately launched its win totals for the SEC’s 16 groups, setting the stage for offseason hypothesis — and a chance to venture whether or not these groups will exceed expectations or fall quick. Let’s study every crew, predict each sport on the schedule and see if a shock or two awaits in 2025.
Alabama
Over/beneath 9.5
Wins: at Florida State, ULM, Wisconsin, Vanderbilt, @Missouri, Tennessee, at South Carolina, LSU, Oklahoma, Japanese Illinois
Losses: at Georgia, at Auburn
Evaluation: Fading Alabama in 12 months 2 beneath Kalen DeBoer has turn into widespread after an inconsistent 2024 season, however I consider the Tide will rebound in 2025. DeBoer’s reunion offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and the anticipated transition to a quarterback higher suited to the system ought to present a lift.
Ty Simpson is the favourite to start out beneath heart, and DeBoer has praised him usually this offseason. The expectation is for Alabama’s offense to be way more constant. The schedule is favorable, although the hardest assessments come on the street in opposition to rivals Georgia and Auburn. These losses will not sit effectively with Tide followers, however Alabama ought to nonetheless contend for the SEC title and a Faculty Soccer Playoff spot. Decide: Over 9.5 (+110)
Over/beneath 5.5
Wins: Alabama A&M, Arkansas State, at Memphis, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Missouri
Losses: at Ole Miss, Notre Dame, at Tennessee, Auburn, at LSU, at Texas
Evaluation: Sam Pittman saved his job with a bowl look, however Arkansas endured important roster turnover for a second straight offseason.
Taylen Inexperienced returns at quarterback, and whereas he is liable to errors, he is a big-play menace on each snap with Bobby Petrino calling the photographs. The protection may take a step again with out Landon Jackson dashing the passer, and early spring reviews point out struggles alongside the line of defense.
Regardless of all of this and a brutal SEC street slate, discovering six wins on the schedule is not too troublesome. Pittman can’t afford to lose the packages first-ever matchup in opposition to Arkansas State. The backlash can be in contrast to something a Razorbacks coach has seen. Decide: Over 5.5 (-115)
Auburn
Over/beneath 7.5
Wins: at Baylor, Ball State, South Alabama, Missouri, at Arkansas, Kentucky, at Vanderbilt, Mercer, Alabama
Losses: at Texas A&M, at Oklahoma, Georgia
Evaluation: Auburn is a well-liked sleeper choose to achieve the CFP, and it is easy to see why. The Tigers are stacked, and with a reliable quarterback lastly on the controls, they’re primed to faucet into their immense offensive potential because the protection continues to enhance.
Led by Cam Coleman the receiver room is loaded with potential game-breakers, and the offensive line appears to be like strong for the primary time since 2019. Auburn’s season opener at Baylor can be an early take a look at. Street journeys to Texas A&M and Oklahoma — quarterback Jackson Arnold’s former faculty — are harmful. And keep in mind, Freeze is 0-3 in opposition to Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia. Decide: Over 7.5 (-148)
Over/beneath 6.5
Wins: Lengthy Island, South Florida, at Miami, Mississippi State, at Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida State
Losses: at LSU, Texas, at Texas A&M, Georgia, at Ole Miss
Evaluation: It is tempting to choose Florida as a possible menace to achieve the CFP. The Gators have a dynamic quarterback in DJ Lagway and a strong protection, however the schedule is brutally troublesome.
Journeys to Miami, LSU, Texas A&M and Ole Miss can be main challenges. Florida additionally performs simply two house video games throughout an eight-game stretch after opening the season with back-to-back video games in The Swamp. The sport at Kentucky appears to be like winnable, and we’ll aspect with the Gators to get revenge for final 12 months of their early-season showdown at Miami. That initiatives to a report just like final season however with out a sturdy end. Decide: Over 6.5 (-148)
Georgia
Over/beneath 9.5
Wins: Marshall, Austin Peay, Alabama, Kentucky, at Auburn, Ole Miss, Florida, at Mississippi State, Texas, Charlotte, Georgia Tech
Losses: at Tennessee
Evaluation: Georgia loses 15 starters from a crew that fell wanting expectations final season. So the Bulldogs may take one other step backward, proper? Mistaken.
The Bulldogs struggled final season as a result of receivers dropped too many passes. The line of defense, whereas elite at instances, lacked consistency from snap to snap and sport to sport. That ought to change this fall after Kirby Sensible introduced in a number of game-changing receivers, led by USC’s Zachariah Department and Texas A&M’s Noah Thomas.
Georgia stays the game’s premier program in recruiting, participant retention and growth. Gunner Stockton is a gamer, and even beneath heavy strain, he repeatedly delivered within the CFP semifinal in opposition to Notre Dame. Decide: Over 9.5 (-178)
Kentucky
Over/beneath 4.5
Wins: Toledo, Japanese Michigan, Tennessee Tech
Losses: Ole Miss, at South Carolina, at Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, at Auburn, Florida, at Vanderbilt, at Louisville
Evaluation: Final 12 months Kentucky missed a bowl sport final season for the primary time since 2015, and quarterback points have plagued the Wildcats for the previous two seasons. Now they flip to seventh-year senior Zach Calzada, who hopes his fourth faculty can be his greatest cease.
The Wildcats relied closely on the switch portal to revamp the roster after a 4-8 season that included only one SEC win. Nevertheless, nobody actually is aware of how this crew will carry out till preseason camp begins in August.
What we do know is Calzada’s previous, which featured few highlights till his two-year stint at FCS Incarnate Phrase. We additionally know Kentucky’s schedule is among the many hardest within the nation. The Wildcats face all three SEC playoff groups from final season and journey to South Carolina and Auburn.
They will want a few of that Mark Stoops magic this fall. Decide: Beneath 4.5 (+116)
LSU
Over/beneath 8.5
Wins: Louisiana Tech, Florida, Southeastern Louisiana, at Ole Miss, South Carolina, at Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Western Kentucky
Losses: at Clemson, at Alabama, at Oklahoma
Evaluation: It is simple to query Kelly’s teaching job thus far with the Tigers, however that is not the mindset right here when all of the proof factors to a giant season for LSU.
The Tigers return the SEC’s main returning passer in Garrett Nussmeier, and can have super weapons round him. LSU signed the nation’s No. 1 switch class, including eight gamers from SEC rivals — together with dynamic go rushers Patrick Payton and Jack Pyburn, in addition to two ready-made stars at receiver in Nic Anderson and Barion Brown.
LSU is changing 4 starters alongside an offensive line that allowed simply 15 sacks final season, the very best mark within the convention. The schedule appears to be like daunting, however even with losses to the hardest opponents on the street, there’s nonetheless a transparent path to the CFP.
We’ll name for an early-season coin flip to go LSU’s method at Ole Miss after dropping the opener to ACC favourite Clemson. Nonetheless, this schedule appears to be like extra like a 10-win slate than the nine-win mark we’re predicting as we speak. Decide: Over 8.5 (-144)
Mississippi State
Over/beneath 3.5
Wins: at Southern Miss, Arizona State, Alcorn State, Northern Illinois
Losses: Tennessee, at Texas A&M, at Florida, Texas, at Arkansas, Georgia, at Missouri, Ole Miss
Evaluation: It might’t get a lot worse than final season at Mississippi State. Two wins, a blowout house loss to Toledo, and an 0-for-the-SEC convention report is rarely a superb search for a first-year head coach.
As anticipated, the Bulldogs overhauled the roster once more. Jeff Lebby added 27 gamers from the switch portal, rating twenty eighth nationally. Together with highschool signees there are 51 new additions to the roster — the second-highest within the nation.
Baylor switch Blake Shapen is anticipated to start out at quarterback for a second straight 12 months.
As for the schedule? Yikes. The Bulldogs face 4 playoff groups from final season, however the teaching employees had a strong sport plan in a detailed street loss at Arizona State final fall. We’re feeling beneficiant, so we’ll give MSU a slight edge at house in opposition to the Solar Devils this season.
The SEC schedule would not provide many possibilities for wins. The “best” sport may be the journey to Arkansas. It is attainable MSU may go winless in convention play once more. Lebby can’t afford an early-season loss at Southern Miss. Decide: Over 3.5 (-132)
Missouri
Over/beneath 7.5
Wins: Central Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, South Carolina, UMass, at Vanderbilt, Mississippi State
Losses: Alabama, Texas A&M, at Oklahoma, at Arkansas
Evaluation: Missouri’s rise has been enjoyable to look at the final two seasons, however how will coach Eli Drinkwitz refuel the machine? The Tigers lose quarterback Brady Cook dinner, three beginning receivers (together with celebrity Luther Burden) and three starters on the offensive line.
The chances of the Tigers notching a 3rd straight 10-win season are low, given a schedule that features Alabama, South Carolina, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma. Nonetheless, the slate is far simpler in comparison with others within the convention. The Tigers ought to contend for 9 wins, however eight is extra probably. Decide: Over 7.5 (-105)
Oklahoma
Over/beneath 6.5
Wins: Illinois State, at Temple, Auburn, Kent State, at South Carolina, Ole Miss, Missouri, LSU
Losses: Michigan, Texas, at Tennessee, at Alabama
Evaluation: It is a make-or-break 12 months for coach Brent Venables, and he is betting on himself to win massive. He’ll deal with defensive play-calling duties this fall after recording a second dropping season in three years. Venables additionally made massive adjustments on offense in hiring Washington State coordinator Ben Arbuckle, who introduced alongside top-tier quarterback John Mateer to show round a struggling Sooners assault.
The offensive line ought to be higher after main the nation in sacks allowed, as they combined and matched lineups throughout the first 9 weeks of final season. The receiver room has to enhance after an injury-plagued 12 months led to infuriating inconsistency throughout the offense, which ranked 124th in yards per play (4.81) and 128th in yards per go try (6.1).
Venables pushed the fitting buttons within the offseason, however will it translate to greater than six wins? Week 2 brings a house date with Michigan and a chance to get this system again on the map. Journeys to Tennessee, Alabama and South Carolina are troublesome. Nonetheless, it is not troublesome to search out seven wins on the schedule. These Sooners may shock within the SEC this fall. Decide: Over 6.5 (-110)
Ole Miss
Over/beneath 8.5
Wins: Georgia State, at Kentucky, Arkansas, Tulane, Washington State, South Carolina, The Citadel, Florida, at Mississippi State
Losses: LSU, at Georgia, at Oklahoma
Evaluation: Are we falling for Lane Kiffin’s tips once more? Completely. The Rebels are sneakily stacked this 12 months, although many will level to the departures of six receivers, record-setting passer Jaxson Dart and celebrity go rusher Walter Nolen as important losses. I am going to counter with the Portal King’s switch class, which ranked No. 2 within the nation. The spectacular haul consists of 4 go catchers with greater than 400 yards receiving final season.
Quarterback Austin Simmons has been spectacular in spot responsibility and spring drills after spending two years as a backup. He is aware of the system and is ready to shine. Dare we are saying (once more) that Ole Miss may be a playoff contender this season? Decide: Over 8.5 (-188)
South Carolina
Over/beneath 7.5
Wins: Virginia Tech, South Carolina State, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, at Texas A&M, Coastal Carolina
Losses: at Missouri, at LSU, Oklahoma, Alabama, at Ole Miss, Clemson
Evaluation: How may you not fall in love with South Carolina late final season? Quarterback LaNorris Sellers blossomed right into a star, main a late-season street upset over Clemson that put the nine-win Gamecocks firmly within the playoff dialog. All-American defensive finish Kyle Kennard is off to the NFL, however edge rusher Dylan Stewart is a celebrity in ready after piling up 51 pressures as a real freshman final season, in response to Professional Soccer Focus. The protection ought to be stout as soon as once more.
So, why the hesitation on choosing a nine- or 10-win season? The receiver room would not appear all that nice, and Sellers wants assist as he continues to develop as a passer. Additionally, that schedule is difficult. Journeys to Missouri, LSU and Ole Miss are tough, and internet hosting Alabama, Oklahoma and ACC favourite Clemson isn’t any picnic. Nonetheless, the Gamecocks’ returning starters will not lack confidence after shut calls with Alabama and LSU final season. Decide: Beneath 7.5 (+118)
Tennessee
Over/beneath 9.5
Wins: Syracuse, East Tennessee State, Georgia, UAB, at Mississippi State, Arkansas, at Kentucky, Oklahoma, New Mexico State, Vanderbilt
Losses: at Alabama, at Florida
Evaluation: That is an extremely troublesome choose, so I am unsure I might contact this win whole if I had been a betting man. I consider the margin for error is broad for the Volunteers this fall — wider than LSU and Ole Miss — which makes me hesitate. Even so, I am excessive on Rocky Prime this offseason. I really like Nico Iamaleava, and although he faces immense strain with an $8 million NIL deal, he has the expertise to excel in Josh Heupel’s offense this fall. Plus, the protection is about to proceed its top-10 finishes with 67% of its manufacturing returning, in response to ESPN’s SP+.
Oh, and that schedule is conducive to a double-digit win season. The Vols get Georgia and Oklahoma at house and journey to Alabama and Florida. We’ll go along with an upset win in opposition to Georgia to push the Vols to 10 victories. There is a broad unfold right here, and 4 losses are usually not out of the query, both. Decide: Over 9.5 (+118)
Texas
Over/beneath 9.5
Wins: San Jose State, UTEP, Sam Houston, at Florida, Oklahoma, at Kentucky, at Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Texas A&M
Losses: at Ohio State, at Georgia
Evaluation: Earlier than we focus on Arch Insanity, let’s give attention to just a few points the Longhorns should deal with this offseason. Texas breaks in a brand new offensive line and should substitute two of its prime three receivers and two stellar defensive tackles. That stated, the Longhorns have recruited exceptionally effectively and hit on some massive pickups within the switch portal, setting Arch Manning up for a giant debut season because the full-time beginning quarterback.
Many will venture Texas’ season based mostly on its efficiency within the season opener at Ohio State, however we’ll use that as a barometer relatively than a judgment name. In truth, we’re choosing a loss. The hardest video games on the schedule are at Georgia and Florida. We see a path to 10 wins, however barely. Decide: Over 9.5 (-200)
Texas A&M
Over/beneath 7.5
Wins: UTSA, Utah State, Auburn, Mississippi State, Florida, at Missouri, Samford
Losses: at Notre Dame, at Arkansas, at LSU, South Carolina, at Texas
Evaluation: The Aggies can be a preferred darkish horse choose to win the SEC, however their schedule paints a a lot totally different image. Journeys to Notre Dame, LSU, Texas and Missouri greater than make up for dodging Alabama. Mike Elko returns 71% of the crew’s manufacturing, rating sixth within the nation, and all 5 starters alongside the offensive line are again to guard quarterback Marcel Reed.
Once more, we perceive the hupe, however we won’t ignore their 1-4 end to final season and the extremely troublesome schedule this fall. Decide: Beneath 7.5 (+124)
Vanderbilt
Over/beneath 4.5
Wins: Charleston Southern, Georgia State, Utah State, Kentucky
Losses: at Virginia Tech, at South Carolina, at Alabama, LSU, Missouri, at Texas, Auburn, at Tennessee
Evaluation: You wish to love Vanderbilt. Quarterback Diego Pavia makes this crew must-see TV practically each week, and with the eighth-most returning manufacturing within the nation, the Commodores are in place to achieve a bowl sport for a second straight 12 months.
There’s only one downside: Alabama is not coming to city, and neither is Tennessee. The brutal schedule makes it troublesome to choose up wins on the street with Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Alabama, Texas and Tennessee on the schedule. Decide: Beneath 4.5 (+134)