SEC SQUAD - WAY TOO EARLY SEC Rankings | Where does Auburn rank?

Locked On Auburn - Daily Podcast On Auburn Tigers Football & Basketball35mApril 16, 2026

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AI-Generated Summary

The SEC Squad podcast dives into ESPN's 'Way Too Early' top 25 rankings, dissecting the placement of SEC teams like Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss, LSU, and Alabama. Host Chris Gordy and a panel of regional experts debate the validity of early projections, with particular focus on quarterback developments at Alabama and Florida. Key takeaways include skepticism about Ole Miss’s high ranking due to Pete Golding’s lack of full-cycle head coaching experience, excitement over Keelan Russell’s spring performance at Alabama, and concerns about Florida’s quarterback battle between Aaron Filo and Trammell Jones. The squad also discusses the implications of the nine-game SEC schedule, the importance of non-conference matchups, and the potential for mid-tier teams to rise. Spring game highlights from Auburn, Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M spark debate on emerging talent and coaching changes, with special attention to Jared Curtis’s potential breakout at Vanderbilt and Marcel Reed’s challenge at A&M. The episode closes with betting lines and predictions for Alabama and Florida’s win totals.

Key Takeaways
1

Keelan Russell’s dominant spring performance at Alabama makes him the likely starter, raising the team’s ceiling despite lingering running game concerns.

2

Florida’s quarterback battle remains unresolved, with Trammell Jones showing more upside but Aaron Filo’s experience and system familiarity keeping the race tight.

3

Ole Miss’s high ranking is questioned due to Pete Golding’s unproven track record as a full-cycle head coach.

4

The nine-game SEC schedule will increase competitiveness, but teams with strong non-conference schedules may still find ways to succeed.

5

Vanderbilt’s Jared Curtis could be a breakout star, especially with a favorable early-season schedule to develop.

…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus

Chapters
0:00
2 min

Introduction & Club Announcement

Chris Gordy welcomes listeners to the SEC Squad and promotes the Everydayer Club, an ad-free subscription service with exclusive fan chat and content.

2:00
3 min

ESPN's Way Too Early Top 25 Breakdown

The squad analyzes ESPN’s early top 25, questioning rankings of teams like Indiana, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, while highlighting the SEC’s strong presence with five teams in the top 11.

5:00
5 min

Ole Miss & Alabama: Hype vs. Reality

I'm not saying they're going to be bad or anything like that. I'm just not as optimistic as I think most people are to say that, yeah, they're going to be right back into the thick of it.

Highlight
10:00
5 min

SEC Schedule & Mid-Tier Realities

I don't think they're going to have a next-level team. And I think you're going to have almost in a way of some of the – like in college basketball was this past year, you're going to have a bunch of eight and fours.

Highlight
15:00
5 min

Quarterback Battles: Alabama & Florida

With him leading the charge, sometimes you just know. Even just in small clips, you just know. And with Keelan Russell, to me, it's that instinct. I just know that he's the guy.

Highlight
High-Impact Quotes
With him leading the charge, sometimes you just know. Even just in small clips, you just know. And with Keelan Russell, to me, it's that instinct. I just know that he's the guy.
Jimmy Stein15:00
Viral: 88.0
I don't think they're going to have a next-level team. And I think you're going to have almost in a way of some of the – like in college basketball was this past year, you're going to have a bunch of eight and fours.
John Neighbors13:47
Viral: 82.0
I'm not saying they're going to be bad or anything like that. I'm just not as optimistic as I think most people are to say that, yeah, they're going to be right back into the thick of it.
Stephen Willis4:49
Viral: 75.0
Speakers

Host

Chris Gordy

Guests

Corey BurtonStephen WillisBrandon OlsenJohn NeighborsJimmy SteinJohn Miller
Topics Discussed
ESPN Way Too Early Top 2595%SEC Quarterback Battles90%Alabama Football Outlook88%Florida Gators Offense85%Ole Miss Coaching Challenges80%Nine-Game SEC Schedule Impact78%Spring Game Analysis75%Auburn Tigers Recruiting70%
People & Brands

Chris Gordy

person

25xPositive

Keelan Russell

person

18xPositive

ESPN

organization

12xNeutral

Brandon Olsen

person

12xPositive

Jared Curtis

person

10xPositive

Jimmy Stein

person

10xPositive

John Neighbors

person

10xNeutral

Aaron Filo

person

10xNeutral

Trammell Jones

person

8xPositive

Corey Burton

person

8xPositive

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