Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer acknowledged the high expectations at a blue-blood program despite a 20-8 record in two seasons. “Ever since I came here, I knew it was always ‘must-win’ all the time,” he said, adding that continuity in roster and staff is key to sustained dominance even in an era of transfer portal movement.
Welcome to spring ball: optimism, set rosters and coaches who are talkative. There are six new SEC head coaches, playoff pressure on veterans and potential Group of 6 shakeups. Here are the main takeaways around the country and what’s being said about the playoff.
Around the country
Oregon: Coach Dan Lanning called it the Ducks’ biggest offseason win that at least eight players passed on the NFL draft to return, including QB Dante Moore and several NFL-prospect defenders such as A’Mauri Washington, Bear Alexander, Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti. Lanning said trust and mature decision-making in the program convinced those players to bet on another college season.
Texas Tech: Joey McGuire relayed his son Garret’s ambitious goal: be the first Big 12 school since Oklahoma to win back-to-back conference titles. Texas Tech returns 14 starters from last year’s Big 12 title team and figures to be bigger up front, which McGuire emphasized matters a lot in line battles.
USC: Lincoln Riley is pleased to have returning starter Jayden Maiava but is also excited about 17-year-old true freshman Jonas Williams, who enrolled early. Riley praised Williams’ maturity, athleticism and intelligence and said he will get plenty of reps to develop.
Alabama: DeBoer said the Tide can again be the program that dominates but conceded it’s harder now. He declined to chase a portal quarterback, expressing confidence in returning quarterbacks Austin Mack and Keelon Russell. Mack, in his fourth year in DeBoer’s system, showed poise and arm strength late in the Rose Bowl and is seen as a capable option.
Texas: Arch Manning returns as the clear leader at QB, and Steve Sarkisian expects a more explosive offense with new running backs from the portal (Hollywood Smothers, Raleek Brown) who can catch out of the backfield, plus transfer receiver Cam Coleman to add deep-threat capability.
Auburn: First-year coach Alex Golesh likes his linebackers, D-line and safeties, and brings QB Byrum Brown from South Florida. Golesh remains cautious about the offensive line and cornerback room, noting both groups are effectively new and will determine scheme fits and depth.
Boise State: After three straight Mountain West titles, Boise State moves into the Pac-12 and coach Spencer Danielson warned it will be tougher to reach the CFP. The Broncos open at Oregon, a game Danielson said the staff will prepare for early and openly embrace as a signature matchup.
UNLV: With Boise State leaving for the Pac-12, UNLV coach Dan Mullen believes the path to a Mountain West title — and a playoff résumé — is more attainable. Mullen scheduled games against Memphis and North Texas and plays Cal to provide quality nonconference data points.
BYU: Kalani Sitake reminded people Bear Bachmeier was a true freshman who only arrived in June last year. Now that Bachmeier knows the offense, Sitake said the step from learning to refining should make a big difference. BYU faces high expectations after almost reaching the playoff last season and hosts Notre Dame Oct. 17.
Florida: Jon Sumrall, in his first year, joked about expanding staff resources and said the SEC’s nine-game schedule is demanding but not intimidating. He’s evaluating a competition at QB between transfer Aaron Philo (Georgia Tech) and Tramell Jones Jr., but cautioned surprises can happen in camp.
SMU: Coach Rhett Lashlee said senior LB Alex Kilgore believes this roster has the same vibe as 2024’s ACC regular-season champion that reached the CFP. With returning Heisman contender QB Kevin Jennings and reinforcements from the portal, Lashlee expects better corner play, a stronger interior defensive line and a more consistent running game. If SMU navigates a tricky early slate and a November trip to Notre Dame, Lashlee thinks this could be his best team there.
Playoff talk
The CFP’s decision to keep the 12-team format disappointed many in the SEC, especially as the league moves to a nine-game conference schedule. Coaches want clearer committee criteria for things like scoring margin and strength of schedule and resent the subjectivity of selections.
One SEC coach said the conference room was unified in frustration: teams are evaluated on playoff inclusion but scheduling inequities remain. Coaches debated whether to keep starters in to preserve win margins or pull them to develop younger players, and many view the selection process as opaque.
Lincoln Riley supports a larger playoff, arguing it would ease scheduling inequities and give teams more leeway. He noted the gap between the Power Five and other leagues has widened and that scheduling choices have become uneven, making objective comparisons harder.
Although the Big Ten’s push for 24 teams is on hold, conferences are more open to expanding the field. An SEC source said attitudes could shift depending on how the season goes; some schools may support 24-team access, especially if a decent year likely places them among the top 24.
Bottom line: spring practices are highlighting returning continuity at some programs, promising freshmen arrivals at others, and an ongoing national debate about playoff fairness and format as leagues realign and schedules change.
