Getting the right collection of teams can help guide a manageable path to a conference championship game and even help set up a national championship run.  Then, there's the other side. Some years, seemingly every bad schedule break goes your way and can elevate a coach to the hot seat.

Here's a look at where SEC football teams appeared in the preseason AP Top 25 poll for the 2025 college football season.

With the 2025 season right around the corner, we break down the top players, from quarterback to kick returner.