2026 SEC Football PREVIEW & PREDICTIONS With Phil Steele | Chewing Clock EXTRA

Summary

SEC Unfiltered – 2026 SEC Football Preview & Predictions with Phil Steele

Date: July 14, 2026
Host: Chris Phillips (SEC Unfiltered)
Guest: Phil Steele (Author, Phil Steele’s College Football Preview Magazine)

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Episode Overview

The episode dives into the 2026 college football season, focusing on the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the much-anticipated campaign ahead. Chris Phillips is joined by renowned college football analyst and magazine editor Phil Steele for his seventh annual preseason conversation with SEC Unfiltered. Phil provides a deep look at the conference race, his top teams and coaches, “over-” and “underrated” squads, expansion talk, and playoff projections—plus plenty of insider details from his exhaustive research process for the 32nd edition of his preview magazine.

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Phil Steele’s Magazine Process

[01:25 – 03:04]

• Phil details the magazine’s exhaustive creation:
  • “I do write all 138 teams myself... It’s a seven month process... This magazine’s 376 pages this year. It’s like getting 138 media guides rolled into one... over a million stats and numbers.”
  • The process begins the Sunday after Thanksgiving with an initial write-up, then a post-spring update, and finally a rewrite after speaking directly with head coaches (“This year I talked to 133 of the 138 coaches.”).
• Staff of 10 helps aggregate daily articles and data, leading to what Phil calls “an exhaustive process.”

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SEC vs. Big Ten: Conference Strengths

[03:04 – 04:49]

• Phil acknowledges the ongoing debate over which conference is strongest:
  • SEC and Big Ten are tied at the top, each with specific strengths.
  • Quote: “At the very top of the Big Ten, teams like Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon have the best shot and are loaded talent wise... But I do think the SEC is the deeper conference.” [03:58]
  • The depth of the SEC is seen as a differentiator, though Big Ten’s elite teams have recently won big games.

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Top of the SEC: Georgia vs. Texas

[04:49 – 08:34]

• Phil’s pick: Georgia and Texas are tied for first in the SEC, but he gives a “slightest edge” to Georgia:
  • Defense is the key—“homegrown” recruiting provides cohesion and depth for Georgia’s defense (“go three deep in all this line, No. 5 linebackers, No. 3 DBs in the country”—[05:45]).
  • Georgia: Gunner Stockton at QB showed resilience; running back depth (“Nate Frazier, Bowens, Phillips”); OL ranked No. 7; challenging schedule, but potential to reach the title.
  • Texas: Massive improvement in surrounding talent for Arch Manning, including a top-20 OL, key transfers at RB and WR, strong defense bolstered by portal additions, and home field advantage in key games.
  • Quote: “I really am bullish on this Georgia team. ... I’m bullish on both teams this year.” [05:45–08:34]

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New Head Coaches & Standout Coaching Impressions

[08:34 – 10:43]

• 2026 is a year of major turnover with several SEC teams welcoming new head coaches:
  • Pete Golding (Ole Miss): Steps into the best situation, inherits strong roster and schedule.
  • John Sumrall (Arkansas) & Alex Golesh (Auburn): Both left strong impressions as up-and-comers. Golesh, in particular, was praised for his systematic approach at South Florida and brings QB Byron Brown with him.
  • Quote: “Goalish and Sumrall are two coaches I have had the up arrows on since the first time I talked to them. ... I just think when you look at the schedules for both, it’s going to be tough for them to get to the very top of the SEC in the first year.” [09:21]

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Lane Kiffin at LSU: Fit, Challenges, and Expectations

[10:43 – 12:40]

• Lane Kiffin is called “an excellent recruiter and...a great game day coach” but faces massive roster and experience churn at LSU:
  • “Over 50 new players...LSU is number 93 on my experience chart. This is a brand new team.” [11:23]
  • Only 7 starters return across both sides of the ball.
  • Brutal schedule (15th toughest nationally), making immediate success unlikely—expect Year 2 or 3 to be stronger.
  • Quote: “I think they're going to have a first year under Kiffin, which won’t be as good as his second and third year.” [12:34]

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Overrated/Underrated Teams

Underrated: Alabama

[13:22 – 14:54]

• Alabama’s preseason win total is “only 8.5,” but Phil says that’s selling them short:
  • “I think Alabama easily tops the eight and a half and, and I consider them up there with Georgia and Texas as one of the top teams in the SEC.” [14:54]
  • Despite a blowout loss to Georgia in the 2025 SEC title game and uncertainty at quarterback, Alabama’s talent, schedule, and staff make Phil bullish on a rebound.

Overrated: LSU

[15:12 – 15:37]

• LSU is Phil’s pick for overrated in the SEC:
  • “LSU is going to be a preseason top 10 team...I don’t think at the end of the year they are a preseason top 10 team.” [15:12]

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South Carolina Focus & SEC Hot Seat

[15:37 – 18:07]

• Shane Beamer’s South Carolina program faces low expectations, having gone 4–8 the previous season with elite talent.
• Phil predicts improvement and puts SC on his “most improved” list for 2026 (No. 10 nationally):
  • “I think Coach Beamer’s right where he wants to be at South Carolina this year, and that is under the radar with low expectations.” [16:22]
  • Improved depth on the defensive line; experienced OL brought in; QB Lenora Sellers a bounce-back candidate.

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Key Stats & Analytical Approach

[18:07 – 19:57]

• Phil blends 12 factors in analysis, including: power ratings, experience, homegrown talent, turnovers, schedule, and more.
• Memorable stat: “Georgia...53 and 2 in home games since 2017.” [18:07]
• Quote: “What I like is when all the factors line up on one side... That’s how they make my most improved list.” [19:57]

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College Football Playoff: SEC Entrants

[19:57 – 20:43]

• Phil’s predicted number of SEC Playoff qualifiers: Four (Georgia, Texas, Alabama, Oklahoma).
  • “I think those four teams all are worthy of it and that would be leaving out some quality teams that have a shot of getting there.” [20:21]

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College Football Playoff Expansion

[20:43 – 21:55]

• Phil considers expansion “imminent,” but prefers 16 teams over 24.
  • Quote: “I don’t want it to become a battle of attrition at the end of the year where who’s the healthiest wins the national championship. ... I like to keep the regular season worth it.” [21:13]

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National Title Prediction & Notre Dame

[21:55 – 23:39]

• Notre Dame is Phil’s preseason No. 1, lauded for defensive strength, best OL, veteran QB in C.J. Carr, and manageable schedule.
  • “I’m a defensive guy, Chris, and Notre Dame’s got my number one rated defense...and my number one rated offensive line in the country.” [22:15]
• But both Texas and Georgia “have legitimate shots.”
• “If you said the SEC is not going to win a four straight title, that’s pretty hard to fathom...both Texas and Georgia have legitimate shots.” [23:39]

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Notable & Memorable Quotes

• On the magazine process:
  • “This magazine's 376 pages this year. It's like getting 138 media guides rolled into one. ... It's an exhaustive process and it’s one that takes us seven months to put this thing to the press.” – Phil Steele [01:25]
• On the SEC’s strengths:
  • “I do think the SEC is the deeper conference.” – Phil Steele [03:58]
• On Alabama being underrated:
  • “I think Alabama easily tops the eight and a half and ... they're flying under the radar this year.” – Phil Steele [14:54]
• On Lane Kiffin at LSU:
  • “I think they're going to have a first year under Kiffin, which won't be as good as his second and third year.” – Phil Steele [12:40]
• On playoff expansion:
  • “I don't want it to become a battle of attrition at the end of the year where who's the Healthiest wins the national championship.” – Phil Steele [21:13]
• On South Carolina:
  • “Coach Beamer’s right where he wants to be at South Carolina this year and that is under the radar with low expectations.” – Phil Steele [16:22]

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Episode Timeline / Timestamps

• 00:00 – 01:25 — Opening, Phil’s background and gratitude
• 01:25 – 03:04 — Magazine research and writing process
• 03:04 – 04:49 — SEC vs. Big Ten, Conference strengths
• 04:49 – 08:34 — Georgia vs. Texas, SEC favorites, team strengths
• 08:34 – 10:43 — New head coaches, standout coaching impressions
• 10:43 – 12:40 — Lane Kiffin at LSU, transfer rebuild challenges
• 12:40 – 14:54 — SEC overrated/underrated teams (Alabama, LSU)
• 15:37 – 18:07 — South Carolina’s outlook and SEC coaching “hot seats”
• 18:07 – 19:57 — Key stats, Phil’s analytical process
• 19:57 – 20:43 — SEC teams in College Football Playoff
• 20:43 – 21:55 — Playoff expansion thoughts
• 21:55 – 23:39 — National title prediction, Notre Dame analysis
• 23:39 – end — Closing remarks, magazine availability

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Conclusion

This episode is a comprehensive, stat-heavy, and insight-filled preview of the 2026 SEC football season. Phil Steele provides listeners with veteran perspective, detailed reasoning for his top picks, and gives unfiltered opinions on coaching changes and team expectations throughout the league. His depth of analysis—rooted in months of research and direct coach conversations—makes this episode invaluable for any SEC fan preparing for football’s return.

Transcript

[A]

You know, college football season is near. One of our favorites joins the airwaves once again. That being Phil Steele, author, editor, the brains there over at Phil Steels preseason College football magazine. He just released his 32nd edition. We appreciate Phil, thank you so much for taking the time. And I do want to say this, Phil, it's always a pleasure. I know college football season is close when you take the time on our airwaves and actually I was looking back, this is our seventh consecutive year, Phil, talking with each other before the season gets going. So again, I can't say thank you enough. It's always a pleasure and looking forward to chatting with you once again and talking about an electric 2026 season and an electric magazine that you have dropped once again as well.

[B]

I appreciate that, Chris. It wouldn't be summer wouldn't be complete without talking to you. So let's we've done seven and I'm planning on going for the magazine all the way through issue 50. So let's do this 18 more years and then, then I think I'll retire that whatever year that is. And when we do the 50th year of the magazine.

[A]

Yeah, you're just getting going, man. Obviously you're still a spring chicken. I, I do want to ask you this though before we dive into your thoughts on the season. Certainly talk about the magazine, the work that went in 32nd edition. I know a lot has changed, not just with the way that you do things, but certainly the sport of college football that changed the way that you meet deadlines and do your editing and do your research and what have you, your conversations with coaches. But just give some people some insight, the work that goes into it and all that, all the work you guys put in before you finally hit publish and release the magazine.

[B]

Well, I appreciate that, Chris. And I do the right magazine in a three right through process. I do write all 138 teams myself. And the first right through starts the Sunday after Thanksgiving when some team seasons are complete. I go through and read every article that's written about that team during the course of the year. We've got a service that sends us the articles daily. We compile them, put them in a report and then it gives me the good ebbs and flows of the team throughout the season. I do at that point I do a three write up thing. First of all, the first part of the write what I put. I know what it for each position is. What kind of shape were they heading into last year? What happened last year? What do I look Forward to this year. Now that third part's going to change, but the first two parts won't change. What kind of shape are they heading in the last year? What happened last year remains the same. So that's the first right through process. Second one is the spring pre spring one. We got the rosters, we've got all the portal moves, we've got the freshman signed. I update that third part of each one, update all my power ratings. Then the third part is after talking to the head coaches. And this year I talked to 133 of the 138 coaches. So we're getting close to all of them. Just time just doesn't permit it. And then after I talk to the coaches, I do that rewrite the third part of each one. So it's a seven month process. I got a staff, about 10 folks working for me that are just pouring in the information. This magazine's 376 pages this year. It's like getting 138 media guides rolled into one. And it's got over a million stats and numbers in it. So it's, it's absolutely loaded. But it's a, it's an exhaustive process and it's one that takes us seven months to put this thing to the press.

[A]

Phil, before we dive into individual teams, certainly, obviously we're going to focus on the sec. And I want to get your thoughts on the Southeastern conference going into 2026. You have a page in your magazine which is the toughest conference. And I think it's been interesting over the last couple of years the battle for supremacy in college football. And it's, I think we all agree it's the SEC in the Big Ten at the top of the SEC hadn't won a national title in three straight years, going on four now. Obviously the conference looking to snap that street. There's many of us that would debate top to bottom, it's still the best league. And you rank the conferences as such, the SEC and Big Ten in a tie, in your opinion? Obviously you rank it as a tie, but how close is it? There's the narrative out there. Most believe the top of the Big Ten is better right now. And you look back at who's won the big game. I think that narrative fits. But then the SEC is deeper. Do you tend to agree with that? And how do you evaluate the two conferences when you stack them up side by side?

[B]

Yeah, that's exactly how I would evaluate. I think at the very top of the Big Ten, teams like Ohio State, Indiana Oregon have the best shot and are loaded talent wise. You know, Oregon getting back Dante Moore having that defensive line that they have, Ohio State may have the best offense in the country and, you know, going over the roster with Coach Signetti, he always gets the most out of town on hand and one of the best talent evaluators out there. But I do think the SEC is the deeper conference. If you take a look at the very bottom, and maybe that helps some of the Big Ten teams get those records is the fact they don't have to face the deeper conference that the SEC does. So I think there's a clear one tie for first. I'd find a tough time ranking one ahead of the other. I think both conferences have their strengths and it's clearly by far the best two conferences in college football.

[A]

Phil, before we get going, really, I do want to thank you as well. Guys, if you're checking it out, Phil Steele's position unit rankings on one of those pages, SEC Unfiltered actually featured in this year's magazine as accounts that follow you, Phil. So again, I appreciate you and your team taking the time to include us in that. Certainly honored obviously, to be a part of that. Let's jump right into it, Phil. The sec. Let's start at the top. You've got Georgia and Texas for your 2026 forecast, picking the Georgia Bulldogs yet again to stand tall in the best conference in college football. Talk to me why it was Georgia over Texas for you. As you can imagine, shocker, Texas is getting a lot of love and a lot of hype going into the season yet again. Not saying they don't deserve it, certainly when you talk about what they have returning with Arch Manning, what they added in the transfer portal, what they added with Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator. But you're going and you're leaning with Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs to get it done yet again. Why?

[B]

Yeah, I've got Georgia and Texas tied for first in the sec, but I do have Georgia ranked number two and Texas ranked number four overall. So I'm giving the slightest edge to Georgia and what I like about Georgia. And I did something new this year, Chris. Last year I was thinking about the homegrown teams. You know, like Ohio State was coming off a national title and they did it with some great transfers. However, the majority of the squad was a homegrown. You know, they recruited the players as freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and I think you have a better team atmosphere when the majority of your players are homegrown and Georgia's Defense is a homegrown defense. I mean this is a unit that was recruited and they are loaded. They go three deep in all this line. Number five linebackers, number three DBs in the country. I've got Georgia the second best defense in the country. And then last year you had a couple questions with Georgia, one of them being quarterback. But I thought Gunner Stockton answered those question marks. You know, he's a guy that was at his best on fourth down as best in the fourth quarter. They've got Nate Frazier, Bowens and Phillips back at running back. One of the best units out there receivers never one of the top wide receiver units in the country, but they've got the tight ends and then offensive line. I rate them number seven. Now they do have to play both Bama and Ole Miss on the road. I think it's going to be tough for any SEC team to run the table in SEC action with the nine games that they have to nine conference games that they play. But I really am bullish on this Georgia team. I think they have a great shot of getting to the title. As far as Texas goes. You know, last year Arch Manning came in with all the hype, but Arch Manning also had an offensive line with just one starter back and they struggled protecting him a little bit. He was shaky early on, no doubt. He had a run game where his top running back had less than 600 yards rushing. Well, this year they've got a veteran offensive line. In fact, I rate Texas's offensive line the top 20. The receiving corps, they bring back Wingo and Mosley and then they add in Cam Coleman, one of the top wide receivers in the country. They bring in 2,000 yard running backs, Hollywood smothers from NC State, relief Brown from Arizona State. He's got a much better supporting cast. And the one thing I saw from Arch, I mean shaky early on last year. But at the end of the year, source started looking like he thought Arch Manning would look. So I think when you look at Texas, they've got the offense defensively, having Colin Simmons and Hero Canoe up front on the D line. Bringing in a Rasheed Biles from Pitt at linebacker I thought was huge. They have one of the top defenses out there and then special teams, I've got them rated as the top special teams coming in. So they really are a complete team. And unlike last year when they were playing Ohio State on the road, Georgia on the road, this year they get Ohio State at home, they avoid Georgia, Oklahoma is a neutral site, but they play LSU and A and M on the road, both winnable games. I'm, I'm bullish on both teams this year.

[A]

Phil, let's leave Lane Kiffin out of this conversation for the sake of conversation because there's more familiarity there. Of course. And I do want to ask you about LSU separately. But the theme of this season, Phil, seems to be new head coaches. There's a slew of them in the sec at Auburn, at Florida, at Arkansas. You keep going down the list and you have the opportunity of course to talk to all these coaches and deep dive into these teams. Was there any that you walked away from the conversation or you walked away from your research being maybe even more impressed than you expected? Because again, there is so much new. There's a lot of these, obviously these coaches coming in looking to rebuild some of these programs or take over the mantle and get these programs back to competing in the top of the sec. Were there any conversations that stood out to you in any coaches that you walked away super impressed with from the newcomers?

[B]

Well, let me give you a quick recap of the coaches. Is that the coach I think steps into the best situation is Pete Golding at Ole Miss. He's got the veteran roster, most of the big guys back like Trinidad Chambliss, a quarterback who looked great in the playoff. Keevon Lacy, an all American running back and they're loaded on defense and they have the schedule to get there. Now two coaches that have really impressed me going back to the first time I talked to coach Sumrall when he was at Troy. First time I talked to Alex Golish when he was at South Florida. Those two guys really stood out to me as up and comers guys are going to get it done. And John Sumrall is just a no nonsense type of guy that's hard. You know he's going to coach the players hard and he's got good talent to work with. I just not enamored with the schedule. Same thing with Auburn. I think goal is had a plan when he stepped into USF. They had like 0, 1 and 1 wins the previous three years. He's like Phil, here's why it's going to be different. He named 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and boom, guess what? He did it all three years he was there and he brings Byron Brown with them. So I think he's in good shape. So I think Goal is and Sumrall are two coaches that I have had the up arrows on since their first time. I talked to him and each year they impress me. I just think when you look at the schedules for both, it's going to be tough for them to get to the very top of the SEC in the first year with transfer portal heavy teams.

[A]

Now, Phil, I did mention Lane Kiffin at lsu. Let's go there because he is obviously extremely polarizing. The storylines are going to be, they're going to create themselves, if you will, and certainly going to culminate what's going to happen in that huge Week 3 matchup at Ole Miss. But I just want to get your thoughts on the fit of lane Kiffin at LSU. It's a ton of new this year. Over 50 players in, over 50 new players. I should say over 40 of those coming via the transfer portal. But as you know, Phil, the expectations in Baton Rouge, they are as high as anywhere, even in year one. Just your overall thoughts on Lane Kiffin at lsu. Do you think over the course of his career can he meet the lofty expectations of fans down there on the Bayou?

[B]

Well, there's no doubt Lane Kiffin is an excellent recruiter and Lane Kiffin is a great game day coach. So I think Lane Kiffin will get it done at lsu. You know, you go back to Texas Tech. Last year Texas Tech brought in all those transfer players and look what happened to Tech. They were just absolutely dominant in the Big 12. So you're thinking maybe the same thing will happen. But one thing I want to point out, Texas Tech last year was number five on my experience chart. In other words, it wasn't a completely brand new team. They brought in pieces, but they had a good portion of the previous year's team back. LSU is number 93 on my experience chart. This is a brand new team and you look at the amount of players returning that started last year, they only have three on defense and four on offense. I think it's going to be tough to come together as a complete team all in the first year and live up to the lofty expectations. I know a lot of LSU fans are thinking national title, but they play the 15th toughest schedule in the country. They do play Ole Miss on the road, which I think will be a little pumped up for. They play Auburn on the road, Texas and Alabama at home, Tennessee on the road. So the schedule's not easy for LSU this year. I think they're going to have a first year under Kiffin, which won't be as good as his second and third year.

[A]

Again, Phil, you do as much research as anyone in college football and anyone in general when it comes to any sport, in my opinion. So I Ask you this and I take your opinion highly in high regard if you will. We're getting into the point of the summer where people talk overrated, underrated. Who's getting a little bit overvalued and overhyped and the opposite. Who's getting underrated under hype? From your research, was there a team that jumped out to you that you know, after you deep dove into them, maybe talk to their head coach, coaching staff, what have you, but after you did all your research, you said to yourself, why is this team not getting more love? Why is this team not getting more hype? Was there a team for you, Phil, you walked away from and said you felt a lot better than maybe even you expected about that group.

[B]

Yeah, I would, I would say the team in the SEC and it's, it's a big name team, but they're over under totals only 8 1/2 this year is Alabama. And you know, I think when recency everybody has eyes, right? Everybody watched Alabama get blown out by Georgia in the SEC title game. Everybody watched Alabama get blown out in the game against Indiana and even then struggle at Oklahoma. I mean they were being completely outplayed in the first half. They had no run game last year and they had problems and they've got a first year starting quarterback and I can see why the over under total is eight and a half. But they last year had a first year starting quarterback and things worked out pretty good for Ty Simpson. I think Grub and Deborah do a good job whether it's Keelan Russell or Austin Mack. I think they have two really good quarterbacks and that's rare in the transfer portal era. They have two guys you can rely on. I'd be happy with either one there. Ryan Coleman Williams struggled last year. I thought he had 10, 11 drops on the year. I think he'll be improved. They got Brooks at receiver. The offensive line should come together and then defensively I like the overall talent there. When you look at the schedule, to me it's manageable. They get Georgia at home. Remember they went into Georgia last year and won. In fact, Alabama was the number one seed in the SEC championship game last year. They play Tennessee on the road winnable and at LSU on the road winnable. I think Alabama easily tops the eight and a half and, and I consider them a up there with Georgia and Texas is one of the top teams in the sec. So I think they're flying under the radar this year.

[A]

Phil, on the flip side, was there a team that jumped out to you or maybe one Right now you have a gut feeling about that? Maybe you feel like's gotten maybe a little bit too much off season buzz, a little bit too much height that you think could be in for a letdown year.

[B]

And you're talking sec. Are you talking about overall sec?

[A]

Yeah, SEC specifically?

[B]

Yeah, in the sec. I think it goes back to the LSU conversation. I think LSU is going to be a preseason top 10 team coming into the year. When the AP poll comes out, I think the Kiffin factor, the transfer portal factor, the play Sam, leave it being there, I think that's all adds up to LSU being preseason top 10. I don't think at the end of the year there are preseason top 10 teams. So I just think it's going to be tough for LSU to live up to all the hype they're getting right now.

[A]

Phil, I do want to zero in on South Carolina. Obviously we have a lot of Gamecocks that tune into the show. Your thoughts on Shane Beamer and I think that kind of leads us into this conversation. SEC hot seat. Certainly we're not going to see the the number of changes we got. A season ago it was topsy turvy not just in the SEC but all across college football with the coaching carousel. But Shane Beamer enters the year on one of the hottest seats in the sec. Your thoughts on how the Gamecock shape up? They've got a a three headed monster of elite football players, Lenora Sellers, Nick Carver and Dylan Stewart. But Phil, they went 4 and 8 with those guys last year. So do you feel like there's reason for more optimism that they can bounce back and Shane Beamer maybe overachieves some preseason expectations and reassure the locals there that he is the right guy for the job moving forward.

[B]

Yeah, and I think Coach Beamer's right where he wants to be at South Carolina this year and that is under the radar with low expectations. You go back to his first two years. Low expectations somehow got him to seven and eight wins. Then coming off a losing season once again, 2024, low expectations. I actually had him on my most improved list in 2024 and was thrilled with the 9 and 4 season. Now last year coming into the year and I probably didn't make South Carolina fans happy. South Carolina was listed as a legitimate national title contender, but I thought they lost too much off that defensive front seven which was absolutely dominant in 24 and they fell back to the packet at four and eight. Now this year when I went over the team with coach Beamer, he did say that the Defensive line reminds him of that 24 group. I don't think they'll be as good. I mean that 24 group was exceptional. But he says they've got six deep at defensive tackle. They got depth at defensive end. Lenora Sellers coming into last year was a Heisman candidate, didn't have the type of year you thought, but he was superman at the end of 24 and I think he can return to form. The offensive line was banged up last year, fired their off a line coach midseason. This year they brought in experience, experience, experience on the offensive line. As you mentioned harbor, the final two games of the year look great. They've got Bennett, Sellers look good at the end of the season last year, also the receiving core. And I think when you look at the schedule, there'll probably be a dog at Bama, at Florida, at Oklahoma and then maybe Georgia and the Clemson game, a toss up at the end of the year. But I think now that expectations are low, I look for him to improve. I've got him in the number 10 most improved team in the country. So they're, they're back on my most improved list like they were in 2024.

[A]

Phil, I'm going to put you on the spot just a little bit. We can zoom out a bit and this just be a college football com or question and not just an SEC question. But preseason narratives become a thing. And in our research, obviously there are stats that just stick out in the back of our mind. For example, one that I'd kind of forgotten about. But from the reading and from the research you had done, Georgia for example, 53 and two in home games since 2017. I think that's a number that we sometimes forget and just jumps out to you and makes you realize how George, how good George has been at home. But in your research, I know there's a ton of numbers in here and tons of stats, which is why again, I'm putting you on the spot. Is there a stat that jumped out to you that has kind of lived rent free in your brain that you're taking with you into the 2026 season?

[B]

You know, the interesting thing is, Chris, there are so many. I'm gonna run down the factors for you that I use. There's my nine sets of power ratings which I play into the schedule. There's the experience chart. There's the homegrown chart. There's turnovers equals turnaround, stock market indicator, close wins, close losses, Conference YPG versus conference record, all conference points returning toughest schedules easier, harder YPP factors, draft day party hangover, net upsets, 12 different things I look at. Sometimes they conflict like Arkansas this year conflicts. They are much less experienced team number 16 on the experience chart, number 16. Homegrown chart, number four, toughest schedule. But they have a lot of factors on the other side, minus 11 in turnovers. So I'm not wild when they conflict. But what I like is when all the factors line up on one side and I do a little chart. Green, red. And so I think the one thing that stands out to me is when you have four, five, six factors all lined up on a team. That's how they make my most improved list.

[A]

Phil, I'm going to zoom out a little bit. Talk College Football Playoff in your mind, how many feels like the right number of SEC teams that make the playoff? Again, I know you've got your preseason top 40, your, your, your power rankings if you will and you also have a separate list for power ratings. But when you were doing your research and as you look at the College Football Playoff, if you have a crystal ball, what, what feels like the right number of SEC teams that make it

[B]

right now, I would go with four. I think would be the best number. And the four teams that I have listed at the very top are Georgia, Texas, Alabama and Oklahoma. I think those four teams all are worthy of it and that would be leaving out some quality teams that have a shot of getting there. But I would, I would use the number four with the SEC this year.

[A]

And Phil, I gotta ask you your thoughts on the potential for expansion. I'm sure you've seen the SEC in the Big Ten have bickered back and forth. The SEC now goes to a nine game conference schedule. Of course, I think under the, the thought process that a 16 team college football Playoff could be a reality really soon. The Big Ten obviously wants 24. Your thoughts? I mean it's interesting, right? Because you've been doing this for so long, you've seen this sport just change so rapidly. Thoughts of the idea that more expansion could be coming to the College Football Playoff?

[B]

Yeah, I think expansions imminent. I think it will happen. There's going to be a number that it's raised to. Personally, I don't like the 24 number. You know, go back a couple years ago. Notre Dame played Ohio State in the national title game. Notre Dame was down their top offensive lineman, top defensive lineman and ended up losing that game. I don't want it to become a battle of attrition at the end of the year where who's the Healthiest wins the national championship. I like it where you have the best teams. I like to keep the regular season, you know, worth it. It's important to win in the regular season. I think that's vital. So if they do expand, I'm hoping for 16 and I'm hoping they stay away from the 24.

[A]

Phil, last thing and we'll get you out of here. You've got Notre Dame at number one in your preseason rankings, if you will. Is this the year? I'll ask. The SEC snaps the streak. Do they finally hoist the trophy after four long years and win the national championship or would you go with the field versus the SEC to win it all?

[B]

You know, I think the SC has a great chance. I believe both Georgia and Texas have the talent, have the roster to get there. I went with Notre Dame for a couple of reasons. I'm a defensive guy, Chris, and Notre Dame's got my number one rated defense in the country heading into the year. They got my number five rated defensive line, best set of line backers, best DBs. I'm on the Joe Moore Award committee. I value offensive line play. Notre Dame's got my number one rated offensive line in the country and then you want to have a Veteran quarterback and C.J. carr last year was a first year starter through for nearly 70% completions with a 24, 6 ratio. C.J. carr is back. I was impressed with him last year. It's a very talented Notre Dame team and unlike the SEC and the Big Ten, they're not going to get beat up too much during the course of the year. There's only two games I don't have them a two touchdown favorite or more. One is at BYU and the other one is home against Miami, which that'll be quite a game this year when Norde posts Miami. The team kept them out of the playoff last year, so I think they've got the talent and the schedule and will be the healthiest heading into the postseason to get there. But if you said the SEC is not going to win a four straight title, that's, that's pretty hard to fathom. I say that four years ago and you'd have a lot of people wondering about that. And I think both Texas and Georgia and and have legitimate shots at it.

[A]

The 2026 college football season. Just around the corner, our friend Phil Steele. His 32nd edition of his fantastic college football preview magazine has officially hit newsstands and is available online. Phil, before we get out of here, I went and got mine at Barnes and Noble but let's make sure we let the audience know where they can get theirs.

[B]

Yeah, love Barnes and Noble. In fact, they're the only magazine store in the 32 years of the magazine that lets me put two different covers in all their locations. So it's just a great partnership with Barnes and Noble. They did great things for me in 2020 and if you got a chance get there to get the magazine, they're also available. The only other brick and mortar store they're available is Books a million. So Barnes and Noble Books a million are the only two places that you can get the magazine. If you're out driving around, save your gas money. Barnes and Noble Books a million or you can go online to phil steele.com now this magazine is 376 pages. It is like getting 138 media guys rolled into one. And we give you the same amount of coverage on a team like Troy or Georgia State that we do in Alabama or Ohio State. Two full pages. You can also go to philsteel.com and when you go there, I'm going to charge you a shipping charge. It costs to ship things and you won't get the magazine for three to five days. But we do give you the digital magazine absolutely free and we update the digital magazine all the way through the start of summer. So Barnes and Noble Books a million or phil steele.com and check out my blogs daily at philsteel.com I got a lot of interesting stuff I put up there.

[A]

Phil, once again, I appreciate you taking the time. Seventh straight summer you and I have got to talk your magazine and college football and I look forward to it every single time, my friend. Let's definitely do it again soon. And cheers to you. Let's have a great 2026 season.

[B]

Chris, I think you do wonderful work with SEC Unfiltered. I watch your clips often and I think you do great analysis. So I appreciate, appreciate you having me on. Let's make sure at least another seven years. If not let's, let's double that or triple that.

[A]

Absolutely, man. I appreciate you taking the time. And guys, we appreciate you all tuning in. For Phil Steele, I'm Chris Phillips, SCC Unfiltered. We'll talk to you on the other side. Cheers.