​In just a few weeks, the offseason will begin, setting the stage for the 2026 college football season. SEC media days will give way to fall camp, which should be in full swing by this time next month. And the start of the season will be less than two months away. The year 2026 promises to add another remarkable chapter to the sport’s storied history. As the talking season nears its crescendo, ESPN updated its Football Power Index for the 2026 season with fresh record projections and probabilities ahead of fall camp.
The Oklahoma Sooners currently sit in a strong national position, but they’ll face a steep climb in the SEC to return to the College Football Playoff and vie for a national championship. Their schedule includes eight teams ranked in the top 23 of the ESPN Football Power Index, featuring two in the top five and five in the top 15. But how do the Sooners compare with the rest of the SEC according to ESPN’s Football Power Index? Here are the teams’ rankings, including their overall placement.
On November 1, 2025, in Fayetteville, Arkansas, the Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Anthony Evans III (3) celebrated after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The Bulldogs prevailed 38-35. This image is credited to Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images. Overall, Mississippi State is projected at No. 49 with a win-loss outlook of 4.6-7.4. Mississippi State showed grit last season and improved in Jeff Lebby’s second year at the helm. The Bulldogs possess an intriguing quarterback in Ka’Mario Taylor and an explosive deep threat in Anthony Evans.
In Fayetteville, Arkansas, on April 25, head coach Ryan Silverfield of the Arkansas Razorbacks watched his team during the 2026 spring football game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The image, captured by Wesley Hitt for ONIT, marks an overall projection of No. 15 with a 4.3-7.7 win-loss forecast. Silverfield, who arrived from Memphis, has his work cut out for him, but he is hoping a new culture can lay the groundwork for consistent success. Earning bowl eligibility would be a reasonable starting point.
In Lexington, Kentucky, on April 18, head coach Will Stein of the Kentucky Wildcats led players in the spring game at Kroger Field. The photo, taken by Jeff Moreland for Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, shows Kentucky at No. 40 overall with a projected 4.6-7.4 record. Stein is regarded as one of the country’s sharper offensive minds, and Kentucky has leaned into transfer portal talent. The true measure of change in Lexington will hinge on how quickly Kenny Minchey can perform as a first-time starter.
In Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea oversaw his team during the third quarter against Kentucky at FirstBank Stadium on November 22, 2025. The image highlights Vanderbilt at No. 29 overall with a projected 6.2-5.8 record. This signals a new era for Vanderbilt football after the Pavia-led seasons, with an expectation of improved performance in a program undergoing transition.