Phil Steele reveals preseason 2023 SEC power ratings

Phil Steele revealed his preseason 2023 SEC power ratings ahead of the upcoming college football season.

It’s a loaded conference once again featuring two-time defending national champion Georgia at the top. But the Bulldogs have company in the SEC this year as they prepare to do something unheard of: a third straight national title in the modern era.

In his annual college football preview magazine, Steele revealed how the SEC stacks up.

Phil Steele’s 2023 preseason SEC Power Ratings

1. Georgia
2. Alabama
3. LSU
4. Tennessee
5. Texas A&M
6. Ole Miss
7. Arkansas
8. South Carolina
9. Kentucky
10. Florida
11. Mississippi State
12. Auburn
13. Missouri
14. Vanderbilt

It’s obvious to put Georgia at the top of the ratings because until you knock off the Bulldogs, they’ll remain at the top of the mountain. The season sets up for another national title but Georgia has to step up in the quarterback department to replace Stetson Bennett.

Alabama is a popular pick to get back to the College Football Playoff after finishing No. 5 last season. Nick Saban made his argument for the Crimson Tide to make the final four, but his reasoning wasn’t heard.

Breaking in a new quarterback is difficult and Alabama has to do it too. Are the Crimson Tide the favorites in the West? It’s close with the No. 3 squad in the SEC power ratings.

LSU won the West last year in Year of 1 of Brian Kelly and the Tigers are poised to do it again with a lot of returning talent, including quarterback Jayden Daniels and linebacker Harold Perkins. But LSU is thinking about the CFP and not just winning the SEC.

Tennessee really shined last season as it looks like Josh Heupel pushed all of the right buttons. What does he have in store now with heavy expectations?

Texas A&M at No. 5 is a curious pick based on the lack of huge success for Jimbo Fisher but the Aggies recruit at one of the highest levels in the country. It’s just about putting it all together.

Ole Miss brought in so much talent at quarterback, you wish the Rebels could spread it out. Lane Kiffin is always going to have his team in the mix, but it’s a loaded division with Alabama and LSU ahead at the moment.

Arkansas and South Carolina seemingly have potential to do something special, but until both schools have multiple signature wins, it’s a wait and see approach for 2023.

Kentucky and Florida have question marks but don’t sleep on the Wildcats and Gators going into 2023. Billy Napier is hot on the recruiting trail in Gainesville too.

Mississippi State transitions to a rebuilding era after the sudden loss of Mike Leach, Auburn has question marks but potential under Hugh Freeze, Missouri could very well win six games again and get to a bowl game and Vanderbilt might show signs of more improvement under Clark Lea.