Odds courtesy of TonyBet.
SEC Conference - Outright Winner
Georgia leads the pack at +285 odds at football betting sites. Texas isn’t far behind at +305, but after that, there’s a significant dropoff, with Alabama, LSU, and Texas A&M all at +849.
Georgia
Georgia enters 2026 as the SEC team to beat after winning a second straight conference title and finishing 12-2 last season. Gunner Stockton returns for another year as the starter, giving the Bulldogs valuable stability at quarterback. The bigger questions are at receiver and along the pass rush. Georgia lost six of its top seven pass-catchers and generated only 20 sacks in 2025, although transfers Isiah Canion and Amaris Williams should help address both areas. Kirby Smart still owns one of the country’s deepest rosters, and a young 2025 team should be better equipped for a championship push.
Texas
Texas missed the CFP with a 10-3 record last season, but the Longhorns remain one of the most talented teams in the SEC. Arch Manning played his best football late in 2025 and returns with a stronger supporting cast. Auburn transfer Cam Coleman joins Ryan Wingo in a dangerous WR room, while Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers give Steve Sarkisian more explosiveness at running back. Trevor Goosby anchors the offensive line, and Texas still has difference-makers on defense. If Manning carries his late-season form into 2026, the Longhorns have a clear path to the CFP.
Alabama
Alabama reached the CFP and SEC Championship Game in 2025, but ugly losses to Georgia and Indiana exposed several major concerns. The Crimson Tide ranked 125th nationally in rushing and must replace four starting offensive linemen, putting pressure on a rebuilt front. Austin Mack and Keelon Russell are competing to replace Ty Simpson at quarterback, with Mack offering experience in Kalen DeBoer’s system and Russell providing more upside. Freshman running back Ezavier Crowell could immediately improve the ground game. Alabama has championship-level talent, but its offensive line and quarterback uncertainty make it less dependable than Georgia or Texas in a packed SEC.
LSU
LSU is one of the SEC’s most fascinating teams after hiring Lane Kiffin and assembling the nation’s top-ranked transfer class. Sam Leavitt arrives from Arizona State to lead the offense, while Jordan Seaton strengthens an offensive line that struggled badly in 2025. The Tigers also added impact defenders Princewill Umanmielen and Ty Benefield as part of a massive roster overhaul. Leavitt’s health is the main concern after a foot injury ended his 2025 season, and LSU must quickly develop chemistry after adding more than 50 newcomers. The ceiling is enormous, but Kiffin’s rebuilt roster may need time to find chemistry.
Texas A&M
Texas A&M broke through with an 11-2 record and CFP appearance last season, giving Mike Elko a strong foundation entering Year 3. Marcel Reed returns after throwing for 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns while adding 493 yards and six scores on the ground. Mario Craver is also back after producing 917 receiving yards, and Alabama transfer Isaiah Horton adds another proven target. The concern is turnover, as the Aggies sent 13 players to the NFL and replaced both coordinators with internal promotions. If Reed becomes more consistent as a passer, Texas A&M can remain firmly in the SEC race.
SEC Futures Picks
Georgia’s depth and experience is impressive, and they should be a legitimate contender for the SEC title. I also like Texas. I believe Manning will take a big step in his second year as QB1 and the supporting cast around him is solid. It’ll come down to these two.
Picks: Georgia (+285), Texas (+305)/TonyBet
