Texas is atop the coaches’ poll to start a new season as the #1 team in the country and naturally the top squad in the Southeastern Conference.
After winning four in a row from 2019 to 2022 (and six of eight going back to 2015), the SEC is licking their collective ego, not even playing for a championship a year ago. Another year without a crown, especially if the Big Ten makes it three straight; that would signify the SEC is no longer the top dog on the collegiate gridiron.
Let’s take a look at who the real contenders are and who could surprise, with betting odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
2025 SEC Winner Odds
The Contenders
Texas Longhorns (+260)
Will Texas win the conference and the football national championship? They are as poised as anyone in the land, having high star-rated recruits across all levels, the top recruiting class in college football, and a quarterback named Manning. No question, “Manning Mania” has gripped Austin, as he’s the talk of the SEC.
A schedule with away battles at Ohio State, Florida, and Georgia, along with a war with Oklahoma, doesn’t lend itself to 12-0. The Longhorns should be a Top 5 defense again, and the hope is that Manning sets the Texas offense on fire. The consensus is you will have to beat the Horns as they won’t beat themselves. Steve Sarkisian is an accomplished coach who is ready to close the deal for the Brunt Orange.
Georgia Bulldogs (+375)
Most SEC insiders acknowledge Georgia today doesn’t have the same quality of players after winning back-to-back titles in 2021-22. That’s not to say Coach Kirby Smart’s team is weak, just not at the previous lofty standards. This is noticeable up front on each side of the line of scrimmage. Be certain, individuals could grow on stellar units, and it’s a given that Smart will coach them up.
What is unknown, at least outside of Athens, is whether Gunner Stockton is an elite signal caller who can win another SEC title and national crown. Texas is who everyone is chasing in this conference, and I’m not sure the Dawgs can topple them.
Alabama Crimson Tide (+400)
Jalen Milroe was a good playmaker, but after a parade of ball-chuckers in Tuscaloosa, his inability to deliver passes with exceptional regularity was too often lacking.
Second-year coach Kalen DeBoer wants a passer-first who can also use his legs to scamper out of harm’s way. Hooking up with former Washington OC Ryan Grubb will improve DeBoer’s confidence in the Tide’s offense. Alabama’s defense has slid in recent years, covered up by scheme and a pass rush.
Bama was #49 against the run, and they won’t make the SEC title tilt without drastic improvement in stopping the rush. The Crimson Tide’s litmus test will be late September at Georgia. No backing Bama here.
LSU Tigers (+650)
In June, LSU was still 4th to take the SEC; however, their odds have tumbled dramatically from +1000 to +650.
This is the best and most complete roster coach Brian Kelly will take to the gridiron. The predicted weaknesses manifested themselves each season. That does not appear to be the case today for the Baton Rouge boys.
Garrett Nussmeier is probably the best quarterback in the SEC and maybe in the country. A look at the LSU defense finds veterans, good-looking transfers, and youngsters who could have an immediate impact. If the Tigers win at Tuscaloosa, they will have a shot to become SEC champs.
The Long Shots
Ole Miss Rebels (+1200)
This is where the betting odds have separation. Ole Miss went all in last season, trying to win the SEC and earn a playoff invite. Neither happened with a 9-3 record. The Rebels had a veteran QB (Jaxson Dart), the #2 scoring defense with a great defensive line, and still couldn’t get it done.
Three of the four defensive linemen are gone, sophomore QB Austin Simmons is a work in progress, and the O-Line has four new starters. What last year proved over anything else, Lane Kiffin is a top play-caller and only an above-average head coach.
Texas A&M Aggies (+1200)
Mike Elko brought excitement to Aggie-Land after success at Duke and Notre Dame’s DC before that. The Texas A&M ground game was #26 last season and is thought of as Top 20 material, having the best offensive line in the SEC and RB Le’Veon Moss in the fold.
Elko will be calling the defense, which was shockingly poor in tackling and other fundamentals. We actually prefer the Aggies over Ole Miss, but excursions to Notre Dame, LSU, and Texas leave little margin for error.
*21+ Seek help with a gambling addiction at 1-800-GAMBLER
*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.
