Georgia leads eight SEC teams in both polls

Georgia took the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25 and US LBM Coaches Top 25 dated Nov. 8, leading eight ranked SEC teams in each poll. The Bulldogs were 8-1 and received 53 first-place votes and 1,729 points from AP voters, along with 54 first-place votes and 1,796 points in the coaches poll.

Alabama, Texas and Tennessee followed Georgia inside the top nine of both rankings. In each poll, the three 7-2 teams ranked No. 7, No. 8 and No. 9, respectively.

Kentucky, also 7-2, held the No. 13 position in both rankings. The rest of the SEC order varied: Ole Miss was No. 19 in the AP poll and No. 17 in the coaches poll. For South Carolina, those rankings were No. 20 and No. 24, LSU placed No. 24 and No. 22. Ole Miss, South Carolina and LSU each carried a 6-3 record.

The coaches poll showed several sizable changes from its previous rankings. Georgia rose from No. 2 to No. 1. Other climbs included Tennessee from No. 16 to No. 9, Texas from No. 11 to No. 8 and Alabama from No. 9 to No. 7. Kentucky fell from No. 7 to No. 13, with Ole Miss dropping from No. 12 to No. 17 and LSU from No. 15 to No. 22. Previously unranked South Carolina entered at No. 24.

Missouri remained outside both Top 25 lists despite receiving 50 AP points and 147 coaches points. Oklahoma received two points in the coaches poll and none in the AP voting listed by the source.

The second College Football Playoff rankings of the 2026 season are scheduled to be announced Nov. 10 at 8 p.m. CT on ESPN.

Why it matters

The SEC holds four of the top nine positions in both national polls, led by No. 1 Georgia. Eight conference teams are ranked in each Top 25, with Missouri and Oklahoma also receiving votes in at least one poll.

What to watch next

The second 2026 College Football Playoff rankings are scheduled for Nov. 10 at 8 p.m. CT on ESPN.