With the college football season less than a month away, it is time to make some projections. Every team has high expectations in July, but the reality of it will be much different for many. Here is a projection of which team will be the biggest surprise, and which will be the biggest disappointment in the SEC during the 2025 season.
Biggest Surprise
Missouri
The skinny: Considering the Tigers have gone 21-5 over the last two seasons, it should be a surprise that they were picked to finish 12th in the SEC in 2025 by the media. Auburn and Oklahoma, who went a combined 4-12 in the SEC last season, were both picked to finish ahead of the Tigers. This is not to say that there aren’t some questions that need to be answered on the roster, but Missouri has developed a good and deep talent pool that should be able to fight through most of these. On top of that, they were once again aggressive in the portal, which will also mend some holes.
Most importantly, the Tigers have a schedule that is favorable. The out-of-conference portion is very manageable, while the SEC schedule includes Alabama and South Carolina, but avoids Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss and Texas. On top of that, the games against the Tide and Gamecocks are at home. Missouri won’t be competing for a conference title in 2025, but to have them preseason 12th is disrespectful to the program and head coach Eli Drinkwitz.
Biggest Disappointment
Florida
The skinny: With dynamic quarterback DJ Lagway back and after finishing the 2024 season with four straight wins there is reason for optimism in Gainesville. However, the path to success will be a rough one for the Gators in 2025. Along this path are games against LSU, Miami, Texas, Texas A&M, Georgia, Ole Miss and Tennessee. And the season finale is against rival Florida State, who is one of the biggest wildcards of 2025.
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The pressure will be on Lagway to meet the lofty expectations that have surrounded him, while also staying healthy, which has already become an issue during his brief collegiate career. The harsh reality is that the Gators might actually be better than they were in 2024, yet the record won’t show it. And if that is the case, head coach Billy Napier will be looking for a new job by the end of 2025.
