The mighty SEC has fallen off its perch. How does the SEC get the crown back? Start in Texas.
Texas transfer additions highlighted by Cam Coleman.
With Arch Manning at tip of spear, Texas will have a skilled offense. What about the defense, though, amid a tough 2026 schedule?
The mighty SEC has fallen off its perch. It no longer rules college football. For the third straight season, the SEC has been shut out of the national championship game. If Indiana beats Miami, that will mark three straight national titles for the Big Ten.
How does the SEC get the crown back?
Start in Texas.
Not every SEC team can spend like Ohio State. Texas can. The Longhorns didn’t go cheap this past season. They just didn’t live up to the hype and, in particular, had a costly flop in The Swamp. But, they also ended the season playing well and beat four teams that finished ranked in the top 20 of the final CFP rankings.
Now, by all appearances, they’re doubling down for a run at a national championship in Arch Manning’s second season as a starter. Just peep Texas’ accumulations from the transfer portal, where the Longhorns are grabbing more quantity than in past offseasons and also some top-shelf quality.
On this edition of “SEC Football Unfiltered,” a podcast from the USA TODAY Network, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams debate whether they’re ready to buy in on more Texas hype after the Longhorns wilted in the spotlight this season. They also discuss whether Texas earns the distinction as the SEC’s 2026 frontrunner.
Are you buying in for more Texas hype in 2026 season?
Adams: I’m buying in, and not just because Manning finished the season playing much better than he did at the season’s start. Never mind Manning’s surname. Just consider how he played in the back half of the season, and it’s fair to think he should be among preseason Heisman frontrunners. I’m also buying in because of how Texas reloaded via the portal. The recent addition of wide receiver Cam Coleman of Auburn cannot be overstated.
Texas needed to pair a big-time receiver with Manning. Coleman provides that. Put Coleman alongside Ryan Wingo, and you can start to see the makings of a dynamic offense, particularly after you factor in transfer running backs Raleek Brown (Arizona State) and Hollywood Smothers (NC State), who rushed for more than 2,000 yards combined this past season.
Toppmeyer: I’m cautiously buying in, without betting the farm, so to speak.
Manning looked sharp in a November win against Vanderbilt and again in the bowl win against Michigan. That’s a good sign. Manning and coach Steve Sarkisian must continue to embrace that Manning’s speed and agility rank among his top qualities. He’s a true dual threat, and he must be used accordingly.
Also, Texas nailed its portal shopping at the skill positions with Coleman, Brown and Smothers.
My questions are threefold:
How’s the offensive line? Texas’ inconsistency here contributed to its missing the playoff. Bookend tackles Trevor Goosby and Brandon Baker returning should help.
How’s the defense? Importantly, Texas made key defensive additions, including All-ACC linebacker Rasheem Biles (Pittsburgh), but the secondary is young and potentially exploitable.
What about the schedule? Texas’ schedule includes Ohio State, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Mississippi, LSU and Texas A&M. That’s tough sledding to 10 wins, and we’ve seen the committee is reticent to admit 9-3 teams.
Consider me a soft buy.
Is Texas the SEC’s frontrunner in 2026?
Adams: Yes. Maybe, I’m falling into the trap of overrating Texas again, but I can’t ignore Manning’s improvement or these portal additions.
Toppmeyer: Yes, although I’d have Georgia neck-and-neck with Texas. I like Georgia’s schedule better. These teams won’t play in the regular season and might be on a course for Atlanta.
Later in the episode
∎ The hosts explain why they’re a bit hesitant to go all-in on LSU in Lane Kiffin’s first season, even after the Tigers nabbed quarterback Sam Leavitt in the transfer portal.
∎ Alabama might have a problem, but it’s not Kalen DeBoer.
CFP national championship game pick against the spread!
Toppmeyer’s CFP pick (pick in bold):
Season record: 43-42 (1-1 last week)
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Adams’ CFP pick (pick in bold):
∎ Miami vs. Indiana (-8.5)
Season record: 44-41 (0-2 last week)
Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s national college football columnist. John Adams is the senior sports columnist for the Knoxville News Sentinel. Subscribe to the SEC Football Unfiltered podcast, and check out the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.
