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Here are Baseball America’s SEC power rankings entering Week 8. Note that each team’s record reflects their marks as of April 1.
1. Tennessee
Overall: 26-2, 8-1 in SEC
Weekend record: 7-0
Tennessee opens our first in-season SEC power ranking as the clear-cut No. 1. The Volunteers are the most complete team in the conference, pairing strikeout-heavy starting pitching with a bullpen full of power arms and a relentless lineup that ranks top-three nationally in both home runs and scoring. Through 28 games, Tennessee’s overall and SEC records are better than they were at this point last season, which ended with a dogpile in Omaha.
2. Arkansas
Overall: 26-3, 8-1 in SEC
Weekend record: 7-0
Arkansas has finally broken through the barrier that’s held it back in recent seasons: consistent offense. The Razorbacks have mashed their way to top of the national standings (currently No. 2 in the Top 25), ranking No. 10 in scoring, No. 12 in batting average and No. 4 in home runs. That kind of production at the plate, paired with a pitching staff that’s long been one of the SEC’s stingiest under Dave Van Horn, has propelled Arkansas to the best start in program history. With balance across the board, this team looks every bit like a national title contender—and maybe Van Horn’s most complete squad in years.
3. Georgia
Overall: 28-2, 8-1 in SEC
Weekend record: 7-0
Georgia marks our first break from the Top 25 in this power ranking. In just his second season at the helm, head coach Wes Johnson has built a fearsome lineup capable of hanging crooked numbers with ease. Georgia has scored 10 or more runs in five of its nine SEC games, led by explosive transfer additions Ryland Zaborowski and Robbie Burnett, who both blew past the double-digit home run mark before April. The pitching staff remains a question mark, but the offense is so potent that it’s made Georgia tough to outpace. This is shaping up to be one of the best Bulldog squads in recent memory.
4. LSU
Overall: 26-3, 7-2 in SEC
Weekend record: 6-1
LSU is back where it’s used to being—at the top of the polls. And this time, the Tigers look built to stay. After a relatively underwhelming 2024 campaign that saw them miss out on hosting a regional and make an early NCAA Tournament exit, head coach Jay Johnson went to work reloading the roster. The result: a standout rotation headlined by dominant lefthander Kade Anderson and an offense that ranks third nationally in batting average and on-base percentage and fifth in scoring. LSU looks far more polished and dangerous than it did a year ago, and the Tigers’ blend of firepower and frontline pitching makes them a legitimate threat to reclaim SEC supremacy.
5. Texas
Overall: 23-3, 8-1 in SEC
Weekend record: 7-0
If these rankings were based solely on what Texas has already accomplished, the Longhorns would arguably be as high as second. However, recent injuries have put a damper on their souring momentum. Outfielder Max Belyeu, who has been a key contributor at the plate, is week-to-week with a thumb injury, third baseman Adrian Rodriguez is day-to-day with an upper body ailment and catcher Rylan Galvan is also day-to-day due to a finger injury. That being said, this team still boasts a potent lineup and strong pitching staff that should continue to compete at a high level. If Texas can effectively incorporate reserves into its lineup and weather the injury storm, don’t be surprised if it quickly rises in the rankings.
6. Alabama
Overall: 25-4, 6-3 in SEC
Weekend record: 6-1
Alabama has stormed out of the gate with a red-hot start to the season, emerging as one of the most complete teams in the country thanks to high-octane pitching and a lineup headlined by potential 2026 No. 1 pick, shortstop Justin Lebron. The Crimson Tide’s offense has clicked, ranking among the top 35 nationally in scoring, while their pitching staff has been equally impressive, landing in the same range in ERA. With a well-balanced roster and ability to compete with top-tier opponents, Alabama is firmly establishing itself as a force in the SEC.
7. Oklahoma
Overall: 22-5, 5-4 in SEC
Weekend record: 6-1
Oklahoma has been one of the biggest early-season risers, starting outside the Top 25 before charging into the top 10 with an impressive 22-5 record. The Sooners have proven themselves capable of competing in one of the nation’s toughest conferences, holding their own with a solid 5-4 mark in SEC play. While Oklahoma’s rapid ascent makes a strong case for them to be ranked higher—potentially even ahead of Alabama—the Crimson Tide edged them out in their recent series, which is why we’ve placed Oklahoma at No. 7. Still, with their red-hot play and ability to take down top teams, the Sooners are quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with and could rise in the power rankings.
8. Ole Miss
Overall: 21-6, 6-3 in SEC
Weekend record: 6-1
Ole Miss has made a major jump after opening the season as a team many expected to hover toward the bottom of the SEC standings. The Rebels have turned heads with a 21-6 record and a strong 6-3 mark in conference play, including a solid 5-4 showing against Top 25 opponents. With their recent surge and a weekend record that highlights their ability to perform under pressure, the Rebels are proving that they are more than capable of competing with the SEC’s elite. This rise could continue if they maintain this level of play, making them one of the most intriguing teams to watch as the season progresses. Improving their pitching (they rank 87th in team ERA) will be critical.
9. Auburn
Overall: 20-8, 4-5 in SEC
Weekend record: 6-1
Auburn has done as good a job as any team in the country at maximizing the transfer portal to essentially rebuild its roster overnight. Key newcomers like righty Samuel Dutton (from LSU), lefty Cade Fisher (Florida) and infielder Eric Snow (from South Florida) have made significant impacts in the first half of the season, helping the Tigers remain exceptionally competitive. With its revamped roster, Auburn is on track to return to the NCAA Tournament, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they continue to climb both in the national rankings and in our power rankings as the season unfolds. The Tigers’ ability to mesh their new pieces has been a key factor in their early success.
10. Vanderbilt
Overall: 20-8, 4-5 in SEC
Weekend record: 4-3
As a measure of just how strong the SEC is this year, its worth pointing out that Vanderbilt checks in at No. 10 in our power rankings but currently ranks No. 16 in the Top 25. While Vanderbilt has been solid on the mound, there are legitimate concerns about its offense, which has struggled to generate consistent power and drive the baseball. Ranking No. 125 nationally in scoring, the Commodores will need to find ways to improve at the plate if they hope to make a deep push into the postseason. Despite these struggles, Vanderbilt remains one of the most talented teams in the country. And while the tough SEC schedule may make their challenges seem amplified, they are more than capable of doing considerable damage in the postseason.
11. Kentucky
Overall: 17-9, 4-5 in SEC
Weekend record: 4-2-1
Kentucky opened the season ranked inside the Top 25 but has since fallen out of the national hierarchy, largely due to inconsistent performances in SEC play. The Wildcats’ style of play, which emphasizes strong defense, baserunning and contact hitting, was incredibly effective in 2024 when it reached the College World Series but has produced more varied results this season. Despite these struggles, Kentucky still has the tools to start beating some of the SEC’s top teams. Their current spot in the power rankings isn’t necessarily an indictment of their potential but rather a reflection of what has transpired so far. If they can get back to executing their strengths consistently, they could very well move back up.
12. Mississippi State
Overall: 16-12, 1-8 in SEC
Weekend record: 3-4
Mississippi State’s record may not be pretty with a 16-12 overall mark and a rough 1-8 start in SEC play, but the story behind those numbers is far less alarming than it may appear. The Bulldogs have faced an incredibly tough slate of top 10 teams to begin league play. Their series losses to Texas and Oklahoma were narrow, with the Bulldogs being outscored by just 13 runs over six games. Against LSU, they were swept but lost by a combined three runs in the first two contests. While its record doesn’t reflect it, Mississippi State has shown that they can compete with some of the best teams in the country, and if they can tighten things up, they’re more than capable of turning their season around.
13. South Carolina
Overall: 17-12, 1-8 in SEC
Weekend record: 3-4
South Carolina’s season mirrors that of Mississippi State in many ways. With a 17-12 overall record and 1-8 mark in SEC play, the Gamecocks have struggled to find consistency. Like Mississippi State, South Carolina has faced tough competition in their early conference matchups. While their losses haven’t been quite as narrow, it still seems as though this team is capable of competing at a high level, even if the results haven’t always gone their way. This weekend, the Gamecocks will face Mississippi State in a crucial series for both teams, as they look to salvage seasons that are hanging in the balance. If either team can gain some momentum here, it could spark a historic turnaround.
14. Florida
Overall: 19-11, 1-8 in SEC
Weekend record: 4-3
Florida has experienced a violent fall from grace to open SEC play, suffering three straight series losses, including sweeps at the hands of Tennessee and Georgia. Injuries have been the major culprit in Gainesville, with the Gators already missing their ace Liam Peterson, No. 2 starter Pierce Coppola, center fielder Kyle Jones, second baseman Cade Kurland and top left-handed reliever Frank Menendez for at least a week (Peterson and Kurland are the only ones who have returned to play so far). Operating with a high volume of reserves, Florida has looked uncompetitive at times, raising serious doubts about its postseason prospects. Given their struggles and mounting injury issues, the Gators find themselves near the bottom of our first SEC power rankings.
15. Texas A&M
Overall: 13-14, 1-8 in SEC
Weekend record: 3-4
No team in the country has disappointed quite like Texas A&M, which opened the season as the unanimous No. 1 team only to struggle with a losing record in the first seven weeks. While the Aggies’ pitching staff has largely performed well, their lineup—one that was expected to be elite—has been shockingly subpar. This imbalance has left them in a precarious position, with their once-promising postseason hopes now hanging by a thread. At this point, it would take a miraculous turnaround for Texas A&M to even make the tournament, let alone contend for a title.
16. Missouri
Overall: 9-17, 0-9 in SEC
Weekend record: 1-4-2
Missouri unsurprisingly checks in at the bottom of our first power rankings and is unlikely to move off the spot at any point this year. The Tigers are winless in SEC action and have claimed just one series victory on the season despite having opportunities against teams like Binghamton and Evansville. Missouri will almost certainly finish the season with fewer than five SEC wins.
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