What we all know: Texas and Oklahoma are leaving the Huge 12 to affix the SEC.

What we do not know: When precisely that can occur.

It might very properly be all the best way in 2025, as all three sides concerned on this enlargement whirlwind have mentioned in each public assertion all through the method. It might find yourself being sooner, ought to the teams come to a buyout settlement releasing the 2 applications from the present Huge 12 grants of media rights deal.

However as an instance Texas and OU had been becoming a member of the SEC instantly. Would the Longhorns and Sooners slot proper in with the league’s established heavyweights? This is a glimpse on the SEC energy rankings with the 2 newcomers included, weighing components similar to current success, present program status and the chances of successful the convention championship in 2021.

1. Alabama

The undisputed king of school soccer, Alabama has fended off a sequence of threats from groups inside and outside of the SEC to stay the game’s gold normal. This yr’s group has a first-year beginning quarterback in Bryce Younger however the identical expectations: to win each sport from the primary to the final.

2. Georgia

Georgia has been knocking on the door of the nationwide championship for almost all of coach Kirby Sensible’s tenure. The 2021 Bulldogs have the league’s greatest quarterback in JT Daniels and have amassed a number of top-ranked recruiting lessons in a row to kind a roster that matches up with any within the Soccer Bowl Subdivision. All that stands in the best way is the Crimson Tide.

3. Oklahoma

The Sooners have received six straight Huge 12 titles, the final 4 underneath coach Lincoln Riley, and reached the Faculty Soccer Playoff in three of the previous 4 years. With Heisman-winning quarterbacks underneath middle and one in every of school soccer’s high offensive gurus on the controls, there’s little doubt the OU offense will step proper into the SEC and rank with the perfect the league has to supply.

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4. LSU

LSU is just one full season faraway from a dominant march to the nationwide championship, although the style of that success was no less than partially soured by final yr’s 5-5 end. Nonetheless, the Tigers are poised for a rebound ought to the offense rediscover its 2019 kind underneath new offensive coordinator Jake Peetz.

5. Texas A&M

The Aggies are the subsequent SEC group to crack the playoff code. Whether or not that occurs in 2021 relies upon in important half on the tip results of a quarterback competitors that can drift into fall camp. Expectations are excessive, however so is that this group’s potential. (And take observe: A&M is slotted increased than once-and-now-again convention rival Texas.)

6. Florida

Dan Mullen would not should look far to seek out Kyle Trask’s alternative: Emory Jones is prepared for the chance and ready to provide at an all-conference stage. What’s separating the Gators from the highest third of the SEC are questions in regards to the well being of a protection that under-performed in 2020 and will achieve this once more in 2021.

7. Texas

Center of the pack, nearly, within the SEC. Sound truthful? It appears greater than truthful given the Longhorns’ constant mediocrity because the 2010 season. Working example: UT has extra losses to Kansas throughout that point than Huge 12 championships. However there’s expertise and, in new rent Steve Sarkisian, a coach in a position to maximize the Longhorns’ personnel.

8. Mississippi

The arrow is clearly pointing up underneath second-year coach Lane Kiffin. If nothing else, he is made it abundantly clear the Rebels will probably be a tricky out so long as he is calling the photographs on offense — and that could be promoting this yr’s group quick, given the potential of a bunch led by quarterback Matt Corral.

9. Auburn

Nearly something is feasible ought to former Boise State coach Bryan Harsin repair an offense that hasn’t completed increased than sixth within the SEC in yards per play since 2014. (Nicely, nearly something: Auburn’s not successful the convention, regardless.) That is extra probably a seven-win group able to pulling off a random upset, which sounds acquainted.

10. Mississippi State

Possibly an entire offseason will probably be what’s wanted for Mike Leach’s Air Raid system to take flight. (His historical past as a head coach suggests the offense will take an enormous step ahead.) There may be additionally motive for optimism in regards to the well being of a protection that brings again eight starters however has a number of gaps to fill within the entrance seven.

11. Missouri

After outperforming expectations in his debut, coach Eli Drinkwitz and the Tigers will not be taking the SEC abruptly in 2021. A reasonably pleasant schedule by SEC requirements makes six wins and a bowl bid the baseline, however Missouri’s greatest years underneath Drinkwitz are additional down the street.

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12. Kentucky

Like Auburn, the Wildcats want a severe increase on offense to problem for third place within the East division. Which may be coming within the type of two additions: quarterback Will Levis, a switch from Penn State, and new offensive coordinator Liam Coen. There’s some key manufacturing to interchange on protection however a dependable report of efficiency on that aspect of the ball.

13. Tennessee

This will probably be a multiple-year course of for brand new coach Josh Heupel, who takes over a program with three shedding seasons previously 4 years and barely a sniff of nationwide relevance in almost a technology. There are points throughout the board: personnel, system adjustments, confidence and extra. However Heupel will present a right away increase on offense and make the Volunteers extra fascinating, which is a begin.

14. Arkansas

Profitable three video games in 2020 made Arkansas the feel-good story of the SEC. Sadly, that does not imply a breakthrough is across the nook. This yr’s group takes on Texas in non-conference play, attracts Georgia from the East and has a tough dwelling stretch of video games in November.

15. South Carolina

Shane Beamer is a superb match from the views of tradition, power and recruiting, and there is one thing much more to be mentioned for a rookie coach together with his listing of mentors within the occupation. However it is a group with points at extra place teams than not, most notably in a secondary that can go from a serious energy to a serious query mark.

16. Vanderbilt

One successful season in SEC play since 1983. Three successful seasons total throughout the identical span. New coach Clark Lea brings a wholesome dose of power, enthusiasm and expertise to the desk however will want time to make issues occur, in the event that they occur in any respect.

Comply with faculties reporter Paul Myerberg on Twitter @PaulMyerberg

This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: The place Oklahoma, Texas would fall in SEC soccer energy rankings