SEC Coaches Poll Rundown: Texas Remains at the Top

Texas Maintains Tight Grip on No. 1

The latest Coaches Poll for September 13, 2026, confirms that the Texas Longhorns remain the team to beat in the college football landscape. With a pristine 2-0 record to start their campaign, Texas continues to hold the top spot, signaling their intent to lead the conference throughout the season. Their consistent performance has garnered enough support from the coaching ranks to stay ahead of a competitive field of challengers.

While Texas holds the summit, the SEC continues to showcase remarkable depth throughout the top 25. Georgia follows closely at No. 2, reinforcing the conference's strength at the very peak of the rankings. With several other powerhouses positioned within the top ten, the SEC maintains a stronghold on the playoff conversation as the early weeks of the season unfold.

How Many SEC Teams Made It

The SEC is well-represented in the latest poll, placing eight teams in the top 25. Leading the charge are Texas at No. 1 and Georgia at No. 2. They are joined by LSU at No. 7, Texas A&M at No. 8, Ole Miss at No. 9, and Alabama at No. 10. Rounding out the SEC contingent are Tennessee at No. 14 and Missouri at No. 22.

Risers and Fallers

• Texas: Remained at No. 1 (No change from previous edition).

The Full Coaches Poll: September 13, 2026

1. Texas (2-0)
2. Georgia (2-0)
3. Notre Dame (2-0)
4. Indiana (2-0)
5. Miami (FL) (2-0)
6. Ohio State (1-1)
7. LSU (2-0)
8. Texas A&M (2-0)
9. Ole Miss (2-0)
10. Alabama (2-0)
11. USC (3-0)
12. Texas Tech (2-0)
13. BYU (2-0)
14. Tennessee (2-0)
15. Penn State (2-0)
16. SMU (2-0)
17. Utah (2-0)
18. Oregon (1-1)
19. Michigan (2-0)
20. Iowa (2-0)
21. Oklahoma (1-1)
22. Missouri (2-0)
23. Houston (2-0)
24. Washington (2-0)
25. Virginia (2-0)

Others Receiving Votes

Several SEC programs are hovering just outside the top 25, looking to break into the rankings in the coming weeks. Florida leads the SEC schools receiving votes with 183, followed by South Carolina with 23, Mississippi State with 20, Vanderbilt with 19, and Auburn with 15.

What It Means

The current landscape indicates that the SEC is positioned to secure multiple bids for the expanded playoff format, provided these programs maintain their momentum through conference play. With six teams currently ranked in the top 10, the path to the SEC Championship Game and subsequent national seeding remains highly competitive, setting the stage for critical head-to-head matchups that will define the playoff picture by season's end.

Full poll: Coaches Poll — September 13, 2026