How Many Teams Are in SEC Football in 2025?

By Sarah Miller · August 21, 2049

As of the 2025 season, there are 16 teams in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) football league, making it the largest Power Five conference in NCAA Division I FBS.

Overview of SEC Football Expansion

The SEC has undergone significant expansion in recent years, growing from 14 to 16 teams starting in the 2024 athletic season. This expansion reflects broader trends in college athletics, driven by media rights deals and national competitiveness.

Historical Growth of the SEC

Founded in 1932 with 13 charter members
Expanded to 12 teams in 1992 with the addition of Arkansas and South Carolina
Grew to 14 teams in 2012 with Missouri and Texas A&M
Reached 16 teams in 2024 with Oklahoma and Texas joining

Current SEC Football Teams (2025 Season)

The inclusion of former Big 12 powerhouses Oklahoma and Texas marks a pivotal shift in the conference's geographic and competitive landscape. These additions extend the SEC’s footprint into the Southwest and enhance its national recruiting reach.

Team	Location	Joined SEC	Conference Titles (as of 2024)	National Championships
Alabama	Tuscaloosa, AL	1933	30	18
Auburn	Auburn, AL	1933	9	2
Florida	Gainesville, FL	1933	9	3
Georgia	Athens, GA	1933	15	4
Kentucky	Lexington, KY	1933	2	0
LSU	Baton Rouge, LA	1933	13	4
Ole Miss	Oxford, MS	1933	7	1
Mississippi State	Starkville, MS	1933	4	0
Tennessee	Knoxville, TN	1933	13	0
Vanderbilt	Nashville, TN	1933	0	0
Arkansas	Fayetteville, AR	1992	0	0
South Carolina	Columbia, SC	1992	0	0
Mizzou (Missouri)	Columbia, MO	2012	0	0
Texas A&M	College Station, TX	2012	1	3
Oklahoma	Norman, OK	2024	7	7
Texas	Austin, TX	2024	4	4

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The addition of Oklahoma and Texas brings substantial historical success to the SEC, combining for 11 national championships and 11 conference titles in their Big 12 tenure. The table illustrates the dominance of traditional powers like Alabama and LSU, while also highlighting newer entrants' immediate impact potential.

This expanded 16-team format allows the SEC to maintain two six-team divisions through 2023, but starting in 2024, it adopted a division-less format where the top two teams by conference winning percentage meet in the SEC Championship Game.

How the 16-Team Format Changes SEC Football

The move to 16 teams signals a new era in scheduling, revenue distribution, and postseason eligibility. With no divisions, the path to the SEC Championship is now based purely on win-loss record within the conference.

Key Impacts of Expansion

National TV Exposure: Expanded footprint increases national broadcast appeal.
Scheduling Model: Each team plays eight conference games, with rotating matchups.
Postseason Access: More teams increase chances for College Football Playoff berths.
Travel Demands: Longer travel distances affect athlete recovery and logistics.
Revenue Sharing: New media deal (reportedly $3 billion over 10 years) benefits all members equally.

Frequently Asked Questions About SEC Football Teams

How many teams are in SEC football in 2025?

There are 16 teams in SEC football for the 2025 season, including the newly added Oklahoma and Texas.

Which schools joined the SEC in 2024?

Oklahoma and Texas officially joined the SEC on July 1, 2024, transitioning from the Big 12 Conference.

Does the SEC still have divisions in football?

No, the SEC eliminated divisions starting in the 2024 season. The two teams with the best conference records advance to the SEC Championship Game.

What is the full list of SEC football teams?

The 16 SEC football teams are: Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, South Carolina, Missouri, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Why did the SEC expand to 16 teams?

The SEC expanded to strengthen its national brand, increase television revenue, and gain leverage in the College Football Playoff era. Adding Oklahoma and Texas enhances recruiting reach and marketability.