A conference that has dominated college football across the last decade-plus, the SEC is set to look a bit different during the 2024 season.
Not only did the conference expand from 14 teams to 16 with the addition of Oklahoma and Texas, but divisions are also gone for the 2024 season. Yes, no longer are the SEC East and SEC West divisions, but rather all 16 teams in one single division, with the two teams owning the greatest conference record making it to Atlanta later this year.
So, with Week 1 of the 2024 college football season looming, how does the sports’ top conference look entering the year? Let’s take a look at our 2024 preseason SEC football power rankings, which will be updated weekly throughout the season.
16. Vanderbilt Commodores
2023 Record: 2-10 overall (0-8 in SEC)
Week 1 Opponent: vs. Virginia Tech
Prediction: 27-17 L
Vanderbilt, while at home, has a tough Week 1 matchup against Virginia Tech. The Commodores could potentially keep this one close, but will likely be underdogs against the Hokies.
15. Arkansas Razorbacks
2023 Record: 4-8 overall (1-7 in SEC)
Week 1 Opponent: vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Prediction: 27-10 W
The Arkansas Razorbacks will likely begin an important 2024 season with a victory here. However, things could get rough in Fayetteville quick if the Razorbacks find a way to drop this one.
14. Mississippi State Bulldogs
2023 Record: 5-7 overall (1-7 in SEC)
Week 1 Opponent: vs. Eastern Kentucky
Prediction: 43-13 W
Mississippi State should be big favorites to open the Jeff Lebby era. Expect a win for the Bulldogs here.
13. South Carolina Gamecocks
2023 Record: 5-7 overall (3-5 in SEC)
Week 1 Opponent: vs. Old Dominion
Prediction: 38-13 W
South Carolina will be a big favorite in their season opener against Old Dominion. The Gamecocks should take care of business here.
12. Auburn Tigers
2023 Record: 6-7 overall (3-5 in SEC)
Week 1 Opponent: vs. Alabama A&M
Prediction: 45-10 W
The Auburn Tigers will be big favorites over Alabama A&M in Week 1. Expect a big win for Auburn at home.
11. Florida Gators
![Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) looks to throw during the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, October 28, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/nyMwttmn4ArdIv0M3yUc.Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/roll_tide_wire_usa_today_articles_214/f8151943e5d23d8007de24257462eacc)
2023 Record: 5-7 overall (3-5 in SEC)
Week 1 Opponent: vs. No. 19 Miami (FL)
Prediction: 24-23 W
The Florida Gators feature in one of college football’s top Week 1 matchups, as they host the Miami Hurricanes in a highly-anticipated in-state matchup. This game will be close, with Florida pickup up a big victory at home to begin the year.
10. Kentucky Wildcats
2023 Record: 7-6 overall (3-5 in SEC)
Week 1 Opponent: vs. Southern Miss
Prediction: 33-14 W
The Kentucky Wildcats should take care of business here against Southern Miss. Expect a big first game for Georgia transfer quarterback Brock Vandagriff here as well.
9. Texas A\u0026amp;M Aggies
2023 Record: 7-6 overall (4-4 in SEC)
Week 1 Opponent: vs. No. 7 Notre Dame
Prediction: 24-20 L
Mike Elko’s first game as Texas A&M Aggies head coach comes via a Top 25 home showdown with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. This game should be close throughout, with the Aggies eventually coming up just short in the end.
8. Tennessee Volunteers
2023 Record: 9-4 overall (4-4 in SEC)
Week 1 Opponent: vs. Chattanooga
Prediction: 49-10 W
The Tennessee Volunteers will open the 2024 season with a big victory over Chattanooga. Expect an easy Tennessee win here.
7. Oklahoma Sooners
2023 Record: 10-3 overall (7-2 in Big 12)
Week 1 Opponent: vs. Temple
Prediction: 38-13 W
The Oklahoma Sooners first game as a member of the SEC will come at home against Temple. As for the result, expect a big win for the Sooners here.
2023 Record: 10-3 overall (6-2 in SEC)
Week 1 Opponent: vs. No. 23 USC in Las Vegas, Nevada
Prediction: 27-24 W
The LSU Tigers play in a Top 25 matchup during Week 1, facing off against the USC Trojans out in Las Vegas. LSU’s first game without 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, this game has the potential to be close, with the Tigers coming away with the victory.
2023 Record: 11-2 overall (6-2 in SEC)
Week 1 Opponent: vs. Murray State
Prediction: 45-10 W
Missouri will be big favorites in Week 1 against Murray State. The Tigers should pickup a big victory here.
4. Ole Miss Rebels
2023 Record: 11-2 overall (6-2 in SEC)
Week 1 Opponent: vs. Furman
Prediction: 55-10 W
Ole Miss plays in arguably the most predictable Week 1 matchup for a SEC team, as the Rebels take on Furman. Expect a big Ole Miss win here.
2023 Record: 12-2 overall (8-0 in SEC), SEC Champions
Week 1 Opponent: vs. Western Kentucky
Prediction: 45-10 W
Expect the Alabama Crimson Tide to pickup a big victory to open the Kalen DeBoer era. Alabama has never lost to Western Kentucky, and that will not change here.
2. Texas Longhorns
2023 Record: 12-2 overall (8-1 in Big 12), Big 12 Champions
Week 1 Opponent: vs. Colorado State
Prediction: 49-13 W
The Texas Longhorns will be heavy favorites entering their first game as a member of the SEC. As for the result, this should be a big victory for Texas.
1. Georgia Bulldogs
2023 Record: 13-1 overall (8-1 in SEC)
Week 1 Opponent: vs. No. 14 Clemson in Atlanta, Georgia
Prediction: 33-17 W
The Georgia Bulldogs feature in likely the headline matchup of the college football Week 1 slate, facing off against the Clemson Tigers in Atlanta for a Top 25 contest. Expect a win here for the Bulldogs, as Georgia will likely be too much for the Tigers in the season opener.
This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: SEC Preseason Power Rankings: Where is Alabama ranked to begin the year?
