The media must be skeptical of Lane Kiffin's ability to make Year 1 a smashing success at LSU. Also, Auburn is flying under the radar as a sleeper team.

That's our reaction here at "SEC Football Unfiltered" to the conference's predicted order of finish that came out last week. LSU ranked No. 5 in the pecking order, and Auburn was No. 12.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams debate the reasons why the media poll is so hesitant toward LSU, and they make the case for Auburn being underrated, too.

They also offer a pair of overrated teams.

Toppmeyer and Adams disagree on which team is the SEC's frontrunner. Is it Georgia or Texas?

Toppmeyer also asks Adams an interesting question: If the Big Ten has three national championship contenders (Ohio State, Indiana and Oregon), does the SEC also have three?

The media must be skeptical of <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/05/21/lane-kiffin-hero-villain-lsu-football-ole-miss-exit/90141946007/" aria-label="Link Lane Kiffin's ability">Lane Kiffin's ability</a> to make Year 1 a smashing success at LSU. Also, Auburn is flying under the radar as a sleeper team.
That's our reaction here at "<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sec-football-unfiltered/id1574375094" aria-label="Link SEC Football Unfiltered">SEC Football Unfiltered</a>" to the conference's predicted order of finish that came out last week. LSU ranked No. 5 in the pecking order, and Auburn was No. 12.
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2648210001/blake-toppmeyer/" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> and <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/staff/2647548001/john-adams/" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> debate the reasons why the media poll is so hesitant toward LSU, and they make the case for Auburn being underrated, too.
They also offer a pair of overrated teams.
Toppmeyer and Adams disagree on which team is the <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/07/24/arch-manning-texas-football-predictions-lane-kiffin-sec/90980658007/" aria-label="Link SEC's frontrunner">SEC's frontrunner</a>. Is it Georgia or Texas?
Toppmeyer also asks Adams an interesting question: If the Big Ten has three national championship contenders (Ohio State, Indiana and Oregon), does the SEC also have three?

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered

The media must be skeptical of Lane Kiffin's ability to make Year 1 a smashing success at LSU. Also, Auburn is flying under the radar as a sleeper team. That's our reaction here at "SEC Football Unfiltered" to the conference's predicted order of finish that came out last week. LSU ranked No. 5 in the pecking order, and Auburn was No. 12. On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams debate the reasons why the media poll is so hesitant toward LSU, and they make the case for Auburn being underrated, too. They also offer a pair of overrated teams. Toppmeyer and Adams disagree on which team is the SEC's frontrunner. Is it Georgia or Texas? Toppmeyer also asks Adams an interesting question: If the Big Ten has three national championship contenders (Ohio State, Indiana and Oregon), does the SEC also have three?