statesman
As the 2026 college football season approaches, Texas finds itself at a pivotal juncture. Following a 10-3 record in 2025, the Longhorns missed the College Football Playoff for the first time in three years, prompting head coach Steve Sarkisian to execute the program's largest transfer portal overhaul during his tenure. Now entering their third season in the SEC, the Longhorns are navigating one of the most competitive conferences in the nation.
The American-Statesman has concluded its annual SEC position-by-position rankings, assigning points to each team (16 for first place down to 1 for 16th) to gauge title contenders and playoff hopefuls. The final installment focuses on coaching and intangibles, with Georgia and Texas tying for the top spot in the overall standings with 109 points each.
Coaching and Intangibles Rankings
Georgia's Kirby Smart remains the gold standard in the SEC, boasting a 117-21 record, four conference titles, and two national championships over a decade in Athens. Despite a 12-2 season that ended in a CFP quarterfinal loss to Ole Miss, expectations remain sky-high for the 50-year-old coach, who benefits from a favorable 2026 schedule with seven home games and just one road test against a preseason contender (Alabama).
Texas's Steve Sarkisian has revitalized the program, achieving three consecutive 10-win seasons for the first time since Mack Brown's era. However, questions linger about his ability to topple elite competition, as he holds an 0-3 record against Ohio State and an 0-5 mark against teams coached by Kirby Smart or Kalen DeBoer. The Longhorns face a daunting slate in 2026, including matchups with Ohio State, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, LSU, Tennessee, and Texas A&M.
Lane Kiffin's arrival at LSU has injected excitement into Baton Rouge. With a 116-53 career record and a seven-year, $91 million deal, Kiffin inherits a team that has gone 47-29 since its 2019 national title. The Tigers benefit from a schedule that brings Texas, Texas A&M, Alabama, and Clemson to Death Valley, though road trips to Tennessee and Ole Miss could prove challenging.
Alabama's Kalen DeBoer faces mounting pressure despite an 11-4 record and a CFP appearance in his second season. The Tide have lost four games in each of the past two years, and a 38-3 blowout loss to Indiana in the playoffs has fueled fan discontent. With a manageable schedule, DeBoer must deliver a deep playoff run to silence critics.
Tennessee's Josh Heupel has restored the Vols to relevance, posting a 45-20 record and a CFP berth in five seasons. Despite an 8-5 mark in 2025 marred by injuries and the departure of quarterback Nico Iamaleava, Heupel has the program poised for a breakthrough, especially with key home games against Texas, LSU, and Alabama.
Texas A&M's Mike Elko has brought a no-nonsense approach, leading the Aggies to their first CFP appearance and an 11-2 record in 2025. With a challenging road slate, Elko must prove his hefty contract extension is justified.
Missouri's Eli Drinkwitz has exceeded expectations, guiding the Tigers to a 29-10 record over the past three seasons. With favorable home matchups against Texas, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma, Missouri could contend for a CFP spot.
Vanderbilt's Clark Lea has maximized the program's potential, achieving back-to-back winning seasons and a record 10 wins in 2025. Despite inherent limitations, the Commodores could surprise again with a favorable schedule.
Oklahoma's Brent Venables faces a critical season after a 10-3 record and CFP appearance, but his overall 32-20 mark and 0-4 bowl record raise concerns. A brutal schedule, including trips to Georgia and Michigan, will test his tenure.
Florida's Jon Sumrall arrives with a strong pedigree from Troy and Tulane, but the Gators have endured four losing seasons in five years. With tough tests against Texas and Georgia, Sumrall faces an uphill battle.
Ole Miss's Pete Golding steps into his first head-coaching role after guiding the Rebels to a 13-2 record as interim coach. With significant staff departures, sustaining success will be challenging.
South Carolina's Shane Beamer enters a pivotal year after a 4-8 season, needing to recapture the magic of his early tenure. Trips to Alabama and Oklahoma loom large.
Mississippi State's Jeff Lebby showed promise early in 2025 but finished 5-8. With a tough road schedule, a signature win could spark a turnaround.
Auburn's Alex Golesh inherits a program mired in five straight losing seasons. The Tigers face a daunting slate, making immediate improvement unlikely.
Kentucky's Will Stein exudes confidence, but the Wildcats' recent struggles and a brutal league schedule suggest a difficult first season.
Arkansas's Ryan Silverfield takes over a team that went 2-10 in 2025, the program's worst record since 1932. With limited NIL support and a challenging schedule, Silverfield faces an uphill climb.
Final SEC Standings
The complete rankings, based on cumulative points from all position groups and coaching/intangibles, are: T1. Georgia (109), T1. Texas (109), 3. LSU (100), 4. Ole Miss (87), 5. Oklahoma (82), 6. Tennessee (78), 7. Texas A&M (72), 8. Alabama (68), 9. Florida (65), 10. Missouri (62), 11. South Carolina (53), 12. Auburn (48), 13. Vanderbilt (47), 14. Mississippi State (37), 15. Kentucky (34), 16. Arkansas (23).
Originally reported by statesman.