And there should be plenty of competition among SEC contenders for the right to play for the conference title and earn qualification in the College Football Playoff, given how many teams have a realistic chance to make a run at the trophy.

Marshall's Tony Gibson and Appalachian State's Dowell Loggains headline the first-time coaches in the league for '25, while Georgia State's Dell McGee, Troy's Gerad Parker, and ULM's Bryant Vincent aim to take a step forward in their second year in the conference.

Kirby Smart has to be No. 1, or does he? What about Ryan Day? Or Marcus Freeman? Who made our list -- and why.