The 2024 season brought about one of the biggest changes ever in College Football as the College Football Playoff expanded from 4 teams to 12 teams giving the postseason a massive overhaul. The new format allows every fanbase to deam of their program going on a Cinderella run in the fall especially as you can now overcome early season losses that used to derail a season.
In the first expanded College Football Playoff, the SEC sent just 3 teams in Georgia, Texas, and Tennessee. Heading into the 2025 season, the Conference will be looking to take a massive leap in terms of the number of teams it sends to the Playoff as the league is more talented. Next season, 6 teams stand out as programs with the best chances to make the College Football Playoff after missing the Playoff in 2024.
South Carolina Gamecocks
In 2024, the South Carolina Gamecocks were truly a dark horse as Shane Beamer's team came out of nowhere putting together an exciting season. After laying the foundation in 2024, South Carolina will find themselves with College Football Playoff hopes if the team is able to offset its losses while taking the next step.
LaNorris Sellers is the focal point for the Gamecocks coming off of an exciting first season, Sellers has all of the talent in the world and if he refines his game he could be the Heisman front runner. Dylan Stewart is the Gamecocks other star after breaking out as a true freshman pass rusher in the SEC. The key for the Gamecocks will be replacing elite talents like Nick Emmanwori, Kyle Kennard, TJ Sanders, and more as the defense especially has a ton to replace.
In 2024, the Gamecocks lost to LSU, Alabama, and Ole Miss who they'll have to face again and the only of the three to get worse was Ole Miss. The Gamecocks also will need to beat teams like Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Clemson again which is far from an easy task.
Florida Gators
Despite Florida fans calling for him to be fired dating back to before the 2024 season, Billy Napier is back leading the Florida Gators. While the Gators didn't have a massive turnaround season which kept Napier around, they instead showed a ton of promise that they're heading in the right direction.
The deciding factor of how Florida's season goes will be DJ Lagway as the 5-star recruit showed flashes as a True Freshman but, dealt with injuries which slowed his development. Lagway will play behind a veteran offensive line while the defense returns a ton of talent which should allow the team to take the next step. The offense returns key pieces in Jadan Baugh and Eugene Wilson III while incoming Freshman Dallas Wilson and transfer J. Michael Sturdivant will have massive impacts on the offense.
Heading into the 2025 season, the difficulty will be overcoming the schedule as the Gators have the talent to make the Playoff but, they'll need to beat some truly solid teams to get into consideration. Last season, Florida lost to Miami, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Georgia, and Texas and while a few of those teams take a step back they'll still be difficult to beat. The Gators also beat LSU, Ole Miss, and Florida State all of which will be difficult matchups once again this season.
Texas A&M Aggies
The first season of the Mike Elko era was a rollercoaster for the Texas A&M Aggies as it started with a loss, then the Aggies held 1st place in the SEC after beating LSU, and then lost 3 of the final 4 regular season games which kept Texas A&M out of the Playoff. Heading into 2025, Mike Elko will look to lead this team through the tougher parts of the schedule with a better result.
The Aggies will be banking on Marcel Reed taking the next step after he worked his way into the roster snatching the starting quarterback role. As Reed looks to make the next step he'll have a better receiving core to target as the team added transfers KC Concepcion and Mario Craver giving the room a massive update. The biggest concern is replacing Shemar Stewart, Nic Scourton, and Shemar Turner on the defensive line but, the talent is in the room.
The schedule is grueling for the Aggies which could be their biggest roadblock even if everything else clicks into place. Notre Dame, Auburn, Florida, LSU, South Carolina, and Texas will most likely be Top 25 opponents while it's always the game you over look in the SEC that could trip you up.
Auburn Tigers
Coming into the season as the dark horse team in the SEC didn't pan out for Auburn in 2025 as the Tigers fell short of expectations. Due to struggles on offense, the Tigers went 5-7 with a 2-6 record in the SEC having an abysmal season despite the lofty expectations. After the struggles the offense went through, Hugh Freeze and his staff attacked the transfer portal to limit the downside in 2025.
Jackson Arnold comes in from Oklahoma as the presumed starting quarterback but, true freshman Deuce Knight and Ashton Daniels transfers in giving the room more veteran experience. As if Cam Coleman wasn't enough, the Tigers went out and added elite wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr giving the Tigers a loaded receiving core. The offensive line replaces 2 offensive tackles but, transfers Mason Murphy and Xavier Chaplin are ready to fill the role.
The schedule may be the biggest hurdle for Auburn as even if they grow leaps and bounds compared to 2024, they still have a tough path to the Playoff. Week 1 against Baylor isn't an easy task while Oklahoma, Georgia, Texas A&M, and Alabama could all be Top 25 tests for the Tigers.
Alabama Crimson Tide
The first season under Kalen DeBoer at Alabama was a step back, and while the Crimson Tide had a College Football Playoff worthy roster, there were expected growing pains for Alabama. Jalen Milroe didn't take a massive step forward in his second year, struggling as a passer, while the Crimson Tide also underwent scheme changes.
Heading into the 2025 season, Alabama once again has College Football expectations as the roster is loaded. The Crimson Tide are two deep if not three at every position and, the roster as a whole is better as many of Nick Saban's elite recruits have another year of experience under their belt. Kalen DeBoer and his staff then used the transfer portal to bring in the supplimental pieces to take this roster to the next level.
In 2024, Alabama lost to Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and Oklahoma which kept them out of the College Football Playoff. Realistically, Alabama should be able to win all three games as Tennessee took a massive step back while Alabama is more talented than Oklahoma and Vanderbilt. The Crimson Tide will have more difficult games against Georgia, LSU, South Carolina, Auburn, and Florida State which is a difficult schedule.
LSU Tigers
Brian Kelly was unable to harness the 3rd year magic he's had at every stop before LSU which resulted in the Tigers finishing 9-4 in 2024. After a disappointing season, Brian Kelly and his staff committed to NIL and using the transfer portal and it'll result in the LSU Tigers competing for their first College Football Playoff appearance under Kelly.
The Tigers return Garrett Nussmeier which is the biggest key for success as he showed a ton of promise last season, and if he's able to cut down on some of the turnovers he'll be a Heisman contender. The offense loses 4 of 5 starters on the offensive line but, adds an arsenal of weapons for Garrett Nussmeier. The defense brings in proven transfers at every level giving the unit a much needed face lift.
In 2024, LSU lost to USC, Texas A&M, Florida, and Alabama keeping them out of the College Football Playoff hunt. USC is replaced by Clemson while all three SEC opponents will be difficult but, LSU gets to play 2 of 3 in Tiger Stadium. The Tigers beat South Carolina, Ole Miss, and Oklahoma who will be difficult opponents once again but, on paper the Tigers should be better than all 3.