The SEC led all conferences with 10 NCAA Tournament bids. Perhaps, there was a case for 11 bids, although if any SEC team got snubbed, it wasn't Auburn — despite what you might have heard from Bruce Pearl. 

Oklahoma had a better NCAA case than Auburn.

As for the SEC teams that made the bracket, which one faces the most pressure, and which will be the last SEC team standing?

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams weigh in on the bracket, offer first-round upset picks and highlight a sleeper team from the SEC that could reach the Elite Eight.

Plus, they offer their Final Four picks! 

In a surprise twist, neither host picks an SEC team to reach the Final Four.

The SEC led all conferences with 10 <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2026/03/16/march-madness-predictions-upset-picks-final-four-ncaa-tournament-bracket-2026/89064207007/" aria-label="Link NCAA Tournament">NCAA Tournament</a> bids. Perhaps, there was a case for 11 bids, although if any SEC team got snubbed, it wasn't Auburn &mdash; despite what you might have heard from Bruce Pearl.&nbsp;
Oklahoma had a better NCAA case than Auburn.
As for the SEC teams that made the bracket, which one faces the most pressure, and which will be the last SEC team standing?
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> weigh in on the bracket, offer first-round upset picks and highlight a sleeper team from the SEC that could reach the Elite Eight.
Plus, they offer their Final Four picks!&nbsp;
In a surprise twist, neither host picks an SEC team to reach the Final Four.

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 SEC led all conferences with 10 NCAA Tournament bids. Perhaps, there was a case for 11 bids, although if any SEC team got snubbed, it wasn't Auburn — despite what you might have heard from Bruce Pearl.  Oklahoma had a better NCAA case than Auburn. As for the SEC teams that made the bracket, which one faces the most pressure, and which will be the last SEC team standing? On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams weigh in on the bracket, offer first-round upset picks and highlight a sleeper team from the SEC that could reach the Elite Eight. Plus, they offer their Final Four picks!  In a surprise twist, neither host picks an SEC team to reach the Final Four.

Why Auburn was not the biggest March Madness snub; plus, Final Four picks!

Used to be, the SEC bragged about its national championships. Rightfully so. During one 17-year span, the SEC won 13 titles.

Now, the Big Ten has won three straight national titles, and no SEC team has beaten a Big Ten opponent in a playoff game since 2022. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey denies a problem exists or that the Big Ten has pulled ahead. He says the SEC remains the best conference "by far," and he attributes the Big Ten's success to the ball bouncing "a couple of times the wrong way."

Sankey also said if the SEC was winning, nobody would ask him about losing. Well, no kidding.

Has Sankey lost the plot?

On today's episode,  Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams discuss Sankey's insistence that the SEC remains the nation's best conference "by far," even as the Big Ten racks up national titles and asserts dominance of the 12-team playoff.

The hosts disagree with Sankey's assessment of the situation, but they also say the SEC's commissioner isn't singularly responsible for fixing the problem. The SEC's coaches need to step up and deliver, too.

Speaking of coaches, what's up with Texas' Steve Sarkisian this offseason? He's slinging mud at Mississippi and riling up Texas Tech. Is this evidence of Sark feeling the pressure at Texas?

Used to be, the SEC bragged about its national championships. Rightfully so. During one 17-year span, the SEC won 13 titles.
Now, the Big Ten has won three straight national titles, and no SEC team has beaten a Big Ten opponent in a playoff game since 2022. SEC Commissioner <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/05/28/big-ten-rules-college-football-as-greg-sankey-touts-secs-metrics/90254464007/" aria-label="Link Greg Sankey denies a problem exists">Greg Sankey denies a problem exists</a> or that the Big Ten has pulled ahead. He says the SEC remains the best conference "by far," and he attributes the Big Ten's success to the ball bouncing "a couple of times the wrong way."
Sankey also said if the SEC was winning, nobody would ask him about losing. Well, no kidding.
Has Sankey lost the plot?
On today's episode, &nbsp;<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2648210001/blake-toppmeyer/" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/staff/2647548001/john-adams/" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> discuss Sankey's insistence that the SEC remains the nation's best conference "by far," even as the Big Ten racks up national titles and asserts dominance of the 12-team playoff.
The hosts disagree with Sankey's assessment of the situation, but they also say the SEC's commissioner isn't singularly responsible for fixing the problem. The SEC's coaches need to step up and deliver, too.
Speaking of coaches, what's up with Texas' Steve Sarkisian this offseason? He's slinging mud at Mississippi and riling up Texas Tech. Is this evidence of Sark feeling the pressure at Texas?

Used to be, the SEC bragged about its national championships. Rightfully so. During one 17-year span, the SEC won 13 titles. Now, the Big Ten has won three straight national titles, and no SEC team has beaten a Big Ten opponent in a playoff game since 2022. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey denies a problem exists or that the Big Ten has pulled ahead. He says the SEC remains the best conference "by far," and he attributes the Big Ten's success to the ball bouncing "a couple of times the wrong way." Sankey also said if the SEC was winning, nobody would ask him about losing. Well, no kidding. Has Sankey lost the plot? On today's episode,  Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams discuss Sankey's insistence that the SEC remains the nation's best conference "by far," even as the Big Ten racks up national titles and asserts dominance of the 12-team playoff. The hosts disagree with Sankey's assessment of the situation, but they also say the SEC's commissioner isn't singularly responsible for fixing the problem. The SEC's coaches need to step up and deliver, too. Speaking of coaches, what's up with Texas' Steve Sarkisian this offseason? He's slinging mud at Mississippi and riling up Texas Tech. Is this evidence of Sark feeling the pressure at Texas?

Greg Sankey denies Big Ten superiority, says SEC is better 'by far'

Lane Kiffin spent more than a decade rebuilding his career and his image after Southern Cal fired him. By last season, his career was soaring, and his likability had reached an all-time high. He was thriving at Mississippi.

Then, he became the hottest name in the college coaching carousel. You know the rest. He left Ole Miss on the playoff’s doorstep and became the coach at rival LSU. Now, he’s a college football villain again. How’s he handling that? We’ll hear from Kiffin on that very subject during today's episode with host Blake Toppmeyer.

Two weeks ago, Toppmeyer sat down with Kiffin for an extensive interview in his office at LSU. This interview was right after the Vanity Fair piece published.

Kiffin admitted that the impact his exit had on his image has "really started to bother" him.

The scrutiny, though, has only just begin. He'll face daunting expectations in his first season at LSU.

Toppmeyer discusses with Kiffin how he plans to handle being in the villain role once again, a role he’s held previously but then pivoted away from at Ole Miss before taking the LSU job and shifting his character arc once again.

<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">Lane Kiffin</a> spent more than a decade rebuilding his career and his image after Southern Cal fired him. By last season, his career was soaring, and his likability had reached an all-time high. He was thriving at Mississippi.
Then, he became the hottest name in the college coaching carousel. You know the rest. He left Ole Miss on the playoff&rsquo;s doorstep and became the coach at rival LSU. Now, he&rsquo;s a college football villain again. How&rsquo;s he handling that? We&rsquo;ll hear from Kiffin on that very subject during today's episode with <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2648210001/blake-toppmeyer/" aria-label="Link host Blake Toppmeyer">host Blake Toppmeyer</a>.
Two weeks ago, <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 Toppmeyer sat down with Kiffin">Toppmeyer sat down with Kiffin</a> for an extensive interview in his office at LSU. This interview was right after the Vanity Fair piece published.
Kiffin admitted that the impact his exit had on his image has "really started to bother" him.
The scrutiny, though, has only just begin. He'll face daunting expectations in his first season at LSU.
Toppmeyer discusses with Kiffin how he plans to handle being in the villain role once again, a role he&rsquo;s held previously but then pivoted away from at Ole Miss before taking the LSU job and shifting his character arc once again.

Lane Kiffin spent more than a decade rebuilding his career and his image after Southern Cal fired him. By last season, his career was soaring, and his likability had reached an all-time high. He was thriving at Mississippi. Then, he became the hottest name in the college coaching carousel. You know the rest. He left Ole Miss on the playoff’s doorstep and became the coach at rival LSU. Now, he’s a college football villain again. How’s he handling that? We’ll hear from Kiffin on that very subject during today's episode with host Blake Toppmeyer. Two weeks ago, Toppmeyer sat down with Kiffin for an extensive interview in his office at LSU. This interview was right after the Vanity Fair piece published. Kiffin admitted that the impact his exit had on his image has "really started to bother" him. The scrutiny, though, has only just begin. He'll face daunting expectations in his first season at LSU. Toppmeyer discusses with Kiffin how he plans to handle being in the villain role once again, a role he’s held previously but then pivoted away from at Ole Miss before taking the LSU job and shifting his character arc once again.

Lane Kiffin: 'It’s really started to bother me.' | Exclusive interview

All is quiet on the Alabama front. It’s been a sleepy offseason in Tuscaloosa, ahead of what’s a bellwether season for Kalen DeBoer’s tenure.

Alabama’s got one of the SEC’s few quarterback competitions between Keelon Russell and Austin Mack, but perhaps the biggest story came in April, when Alabama announced a two-year contract extension for DeBoer. His deal now runs through the 2032 season.

Good deal, bad deal, or otherwise?

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams dive into DeBoer's extension, what it means, and why anyone talking hot seat with DeBoer is not living in reality. We also hear directly from DeBoer, after Toppmeyer sat down with the Alabama coach for an interview earlier this offseason to discuss his interest (or lack thereof) in the Michigan job and his unflinching commitment to the Tide.

Alabama is doubling down on DeBoer, and he's doubling down on Alabama. But, about that Rose Bowl loss ...

Later in the episode, a closer look at how the Big Ten is stealing a page from the SEC's playbook as it pushes for a 24-team playoff.

All is quiet on the Alabama front. It&rsquo;s been a sleepy offseason in Tuscaloosa, ahead of what&rsquo;s a bellwether season for Kalen DeBoer&rsquo;s tenure.
Alabama&rsquo;s got <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2026/04/10/alabama-football-quarterback-competition-austin-mack-keelon-russell/89537329007/" aria-label="Link one of the SEC&rsquo;s few quarterback competitions">one of the SEC&rsquo;s few quarterback competitions</a> between Keelon Russell and Austin Mack, but perhaps the biggest story came in April, when Alabama announced a two-year contract extension for DeBoer. His deal now runs through the 2032 season.
Good deal, bad deal, or otherwise?
On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams dive into DeBoer's extension, what it means, and why anyone talking hot seat with DeBoer is not living in reality. We also hear directly from DeBoer, after <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/05/05/kalen-deboer-says-on-michigan-job-alabama-football-expectations-2026-season/89855100007/" aria-label="Link Toppmeyer sat down with the Alabama coach">Toppmeyer sat down with the Alabama coach</a> for an interview earlier this offseason to discuss his interest (or lack thereof) in the Michigan job and his unflinching commitment to the Tide.
Alabama is doubling down on DeBoer, and he's doubling down on Alabama. But, about that Rose Bowl loss ...
Later in the episode, a closer look at how the Big Ten is stealing a page from the SEC's playbook as it pushes for a 24-team playoff.

All is quiet on the Alabama front. It’s been a sleepy offseason in Tuscaloosa, ahead of what’s a bellwether season for Kalen DeBoer’s tenure. Alabama’s got one of the SEC’s few quarterback competitions between Keelon Russell and Austin Mack, but perhaps the biggest story came in April, when Alabama announced a two-year contract extension for DeBoer. His deal now runs through the 2032 season. Good deal, bad deal, or otherwise? On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams dive into DeBoer's extension, what it means, and why anyone talking hot seat with DeBoer is not living in reality. We also hear directly from DeBoer, after Toppmeyer sat down with the Alabama coach for an interview earlier this offseason to discuss his interest (or lack thereof) in the Michigan job and his unflinching commitment to the Tide. Alabama is doubling down on DeBoer, and he's doubling down on Alabama. But, about that Rose Bowl loss ... Later in the episode, a closer look at how the Big Ten is stealing a page from the SEC's playbook as it pushes for a 24-team playoff.

Why Auburn was not the biggest March Madness snub; plus, Final Four picks!

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