Ole Miss Is Way Too High,' 'LSU Should Be Higher' -- CFB World Divided Over 2026 SEC Preseason Media Poll Rankings

The 2026 SEC preseason media poll sparked immediate debate, dividing college football fans over how teams were ranked heading into the new season. Georgia earned the No. 1 spot with 88 votes, receiving confidence tied to returning quarterback Gunner Stockton and a running game led by Nate Frazier. Texas placed second with 57 votes, buoyed by expectations around Arch Manning. Ole Miss landed third after receiving six votes, a position that drew criticism amid a major transition period following the absence of Lane Kiffin on the sidelines. The article notes that Ole Miss previously won against Tulane and Georgia before falling to Miami in the Fiesta Bowl under Pete Golding’s leadership. Texas A&M received five votes, while Alabama totaled three, and Oklahoma and LSU each got two; Kentucky finished with one. Some observers argued that LSU and Oklahoma deserved more recognition, while others suggested A&M should be lower.