The mighty SEC has fallen off its perch. It no longer rules college football. For the third straight season, the SEC has been shut out of the national championship game. If Indiana beats Miami, that will mark three straight national titles for the Big Ten.

How does the SEC get the crown back?

Start in Texas. The Longhorns failed to live up to the hype in Arch Manning's first season as starter, but they finished the year in strong fashion. The conversation for 2026 SEC frontrunners starts in Austin. Just consider what Steve Sarkisian is doing in the transfer portal, where he secured a premier wide receiver to pair with Manning.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams debate whether they're ready to buy in on more Texas hype after the Longhorns wilted in the spotlight this season. They also discuss why they're a bit hesitant to go all-in on LSU in Lane Kiffin's first season, even after the Tigers nabbed quarterback Sam Leavitt in the transfer portal.

Then, they pivot to Alabama. The Tide have a problem, but it's not Kalen DeBoer. Finally, they issue their picks for the national championship game.

The mighty SEC has <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2026/01/02/alabama-football-embarrassed-kalen-deboer-indiana-rose-bowl-sec-big-ten-record/87939308007/" aria-label="Link fallen off its perch">fallen off its perch</a>. It no longer rules college football. For the third straight season, the SEC has been shut out of the national championship game. If <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/01/09/indiana-football-score-peach-bowl-oregon-curt-cignetti-cfp-semifinal-fernando-mendoza/88030108007/" aria-label="Link Indiana">Indiana</a> beats Miami, that will mark three straight national titles for the Big Ten.
How does the SEC get the crown back?
Start in Texas. The Longhorns failed to live up to the hype in Arch Manning's first season as starter, but they finished the year in strong fashion. The conversation for 2026 SEC frontrunners starts in Austin. Just consider what Steve Sarkisian is doing in the transfer portal, where he secured a premier wide receiver to pair with Manning.
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 whether they're ready to buy in on more Texas hype after the Longhorns wilted in the spotlight this season. They also discuss why they're a bit hesitant to go all-in on LSU in Lane Kiffin's first season, even after the <a href="https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/lsu/2026/01/12/sam-leavitt-transfer-portal-lsu-football-lane-kiffin/88143318007/?gnt-cfr=1&amp;gca-cat=p&amp;gca-uir=true&amp;gca-epti=z11xx20p000750c000750d00----v11xx20d--xx--b--xx--&amp;gca-ft=43&amp;gca-ds=sophi" aria-label="Link Tigers nabbed quarterback Sam Leavitt">Tigers nabbed quarterback Sam Leavitt</a> in the transfer portal.
Then, they pivot to Alabama. The Tide have a problem, but it's not <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/01/10/why-didnt-alabama-football-hire-curt-cignetti-replace-nick-saban/88030121007/" aria-label="Link Kalen DeBoer">Kalen DeBoer</a>. Finally, they issue their picks for the <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/01/10/indiana-football-score-oregon-dyj-national-championship-game-vs-miami-curt-cignetti-fernando-mendoza/88030114007/" aria-label="Link national championship game">national championship game</a>.

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 mighty SEC has fallen off its perch. It no longer rules college football. For the third straight season, the SEC has been shut out of the national championship game. If Indiana beats Miami, that will mark three straight national titles for the Big Ten. How does the SEC get the crown back? Start in Texas. The Longhorns failed to live up to the hype in Arch Manning's first season as starter, but they finished the year in strong fashion. The conversation for 2026 SEC frontrunners starts in Austin. Just consider what Steve Sarkisian is doing in the transfer portal, where he secured a premier wide receiver to pair with Manning. On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams debate whether they're ready to buy in on more Texas hype after the Longhorns wilted in the spotlight this season. They also discuss why they're a bit hesitant to go all-in on LSU in Lane Kiffin's first season, even after the Tigers nabbed quarterback Sam Leavitt in the transfer portal. Then, they pivot to Alabama. The Tide have a problem, but it's not Kalen DeBoer. Finally, they issue their picks for the national championship game.