Updated
Updated · CBS Sports · Aug 25
CBS Sports Picks Georgia to Win 2026 SEC as 16-Team League Starts 9-Game Schedule
Updated
Updated · CBS Sports · Aug 25

CBS Sports Picks Georgia to Win 2026 SEC as 16-Team League Starts 9-Game Schedule

3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Aug 25

Summary

  • Five of seven CBS Sports experts picked Georgia to win the 2026 SEC, with Texas projected as the main challenger and a likely title-game matchup in Atlanta.
  • Nine conference games across all 16 SEC teams add eight extra league losses, a shift analysts say could squeeze playoff résumés even in the sport's deepest conference.
  • Texas A&M drew the strongest overrated label after a 10-0 start collapsed in 2025, with coordinator turnover, 10 draft departures and a road-heavy slate raising doubts.
  • Oklahoma and LSU led the underrated picks: Oklahoma is expected to rebound offensively around John Mateer, while LSU's roster and home schedule fueled forecasts of a CFP berth.
  • Bold predictions still leaned big for the SEC, with experts projecting four to five CFP bids despite the tougher schedule and split views on whether Texas can finally topple Georgia.

Insights

Will the SEC's brutal new nine-game schedule ultimately cannibalize its own College Football Playoff dominance in 2026?
Could Lane Kiffin's controversial leap to LSU become the ultimate disruptor in this year's SEC championship race?
Can Arch Manning overcome his offseason surgery and uneven past to finally dethrone Georgia's dynasty this season?