Texas tops SEC preseason poll as surprise favorite, Alabama and Auburn litter All-SEC teams

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July 21, 2025

(Alabama Athletics, Alabama Football/Facebook, Texas Football/Facebook, Auburn Football/Facebook, Auburn Athletics, YHN)

One of the more underrated aspects of SEC Media Days — which took place last week in Atlanta — is the opportunity for media members in attendance to vote on how they believe the season will unfold.

Though still a month and a half before kickoff, the predictions provide one of the best early indicators of how the standings and postseason awards could shake out.

This year’s vote produced some surprising results — and the predicted order of finish generated some heated debate.

With 96 first place votes, the Texas Longhorns are the predicted champion of the conference, edging out the second place Georgia Bulldogs (44 votes) in what would be a rematch of last season’s SEC title game.

Here was the full predicted finishing order:

NEW: College Football SEC Media Predicted Order of Finish👀

Do you agree? 🤔https://t.co/6jQGm41Fc9 pic.twitter.com/lDj6MYlFJJ

— On3 (@On3sports) July 18, 2025

The Alabama Crimson Tide came in third place with 29 first place votes right ahead of the LSU Tigers in fourth place with 20 votes, a predicted order of standings which would likely place all four teams in the College Football Playoff.

After LSU, things started to thin out there with the South Carolina Gamecocks coming in fifth with five first place votes, the Oklahoma Sooners with three top spot votes despite finishing 10th in the order, the Florida Gators with two votes for first (sixth in standings), and the Vanderbilt Commodores with two as well despite being picked 13th.

All receiving one vote each were the Ole Miss Rebels (seventh place), Tennessee Volunteers (ninth place), and Auburn Tigers (11th place).

Interestingly, while the All-SEC preseason first team quarterback was South Carolina Gamecocks star LaNorris Sellers, both Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams and left tackle Kadyn Proctor made the first team as well.

For Auburn, fellow rising sophomore Cam Coleman was named to the first team as well, while dominating pass rusher Keldric Faulk made the first team defense.

On the second team, guard Jaeden Roberts, defensive linemen Tim Keenan III and LT Overton as well as linebacker Deontae Lawson and cornerback Domani Jackson made it for Alabama.

The Tigers did not land anyone on the second team, however they did have wide receiver Eric Singleton as well as offensive linemen Xavier Chaplin and Connor Lew on the third team in addition to place kicker Alex McPherson.

Alabama landed running back Jam Miller on the third team along with defensive backs Keon Sabb and Bray Hubbard.

With just over a month to go until the season, anticipation is as high as ever and preseason award season is just another indicator.

Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.