How Gators match up in SEC: A team-by-team preview

A team-by-team SEC preview frames what to expect from Florida’s new era, Alabama’s urgency, and quarterback questions across the conference. Alabama, coached by Kalen DeBoer in his second season, enters after a 2025 where they tied for top in the SEC but were routed 28-3 by Georgia in the SEC Championship and lost 38-3 to Indiana in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. DeBoer’s offense adds coordinator Ryan Grubb, but the Tide must raise a run game that averaged 3.4 yards per carry. Arkansas remains rebuilding under Ryan Silverfield, Auburn brings Alex Golesh from USF with quarterback Byrum Brown, and Florida hired Jon Sumrall, betting on Buster Faulkner as offensive coordinator and a possible quarterback between Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. Georgia, led by Kirby Smart, is still portrayed as the team to beat after a 12-2 2025.