Talking season officially begins this week as the Southeastern Conference descends on Tampa, Florida, for SEC Football Media Days.
Over four days, all 16 SEC head coaches and three players from each school will meet with hundreds of reporters to preview the 2026 season. While every program will have its turn behind the podium, the biggest conversations are expected to center on the future of college football, possible College Football Playoff expansion and several intriguing quarterback battles across the league.
Here's what to watch each day.
Monday
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey opens Media Days and is expected to address several of the biggest issues facing college athletics.
Among the likely topics is the Protect the College Sports Act, legislation reportedly headed for a vote in the U.S. Senate this week. The SEC and Big Ten have opposed portions of the bill, particularly language that could require conferences to share media-rights revenue.
Sankey is also expected to discuss the future format of the College Football Playoff and the evolving NIL landscape.
Monday's schools are Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma and Tennessee.
LSU travels to Kentucky on Oct. 10 to face a Wildcats team beginning a new era under first-year head coach Will Stein. The former Oregon offensive coordinator is expected to install an up-tempo spread offense after rebuilding much of the roster through the transfer portal.
Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey will start at quarterback. Kentucky also features several former LSU players, including wide receiver Nic Anderson, offensive tackle Lance Heard and defensive lineman Ahmad Breaux.
The Wildcats face one of the nation's toughest schedules, ranking fourth nationally in ESPN's Football Power Index.
Tennessee also arrives with one of the SEC's most intriguing quarterback competitions. Five-star freshman Faizon Brandon will compete for the starting job, while new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles looks to build another championship-caliber defense after helping Ohio State win the national title in 2024.
Tuesday
Tuesday's lineup features Auburn, Georgia, South Carolina and Vanderbilt.
Georgia again enters the season as one of the favorites to win the SEC. Quarterback Gunner Stockton returns, and the Bulldogs benefit from playing Alabama, Texas and Ole Miss at home.
Auburn begins its first season under head coach Alex Golesh, who arrives after leading South Florida. His offense is expected to feature transfer quarterback Byrum Brown, while defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin returns after overseeing one of the SEC's top run defenses last season.
LSU visits Auburn on Oct. 24 before its open week.
South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer enters the season under pressure after a disappointing 4-8 campaign.
At Vanderbilt, the focus shifts to replacing quarterback Diego Pavia following the Commodores' breakthrough season.
Wednesday
Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss and Texas A&M take center stage Wednesday.
Since LSU plays Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas A&M this season, Wednesday could provide valuable insight into three of the Tigers' biggest conference opponents.
Alabama opens preseason camp with a quarterback battle between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell. Head coach Kalen DeBoer will also likely face questions about restoring the Crimson Tide's physical identity.
Ole Miss faces one of the nation's toughest schedules, with games against LSU, Texas, Georgia and Oklahoma. New head coach Pete Golding inherits a talented roster but must replace both starting offensive tackles while improving the Rebels' run defense and turnover production.
The Sept. 19 matchup between LSU and Ole Miss is already shaping up as one of the marquee games on the SEC schedule.
Texas A&M returns quarterback Marcel Reed after reaching last season's College Football Playoff, but the Aggies must replace key contributors along the offensive line while navigating another demanding schedule that includes road trips to LSU, Alabama and Oklahoma before closing the regular season against Texas.
Thursday
The final day belongs to Arkansas, LSU, Mississippi State and Texas.
Arkansas begins a new era under first-year head coach Ryan Silverfield after six successful seasons at Memphis. The Razorbacks have undergone significant roster turnover and are expected to hold a preseason quarterback competition.
Mississippi State continues building around promising young quarterback Kamario Taylor while welcoming back former Bulldogs head coach Zach Arnett as defensive coordinator.
When LSU head coach Lane Kiffin takes the podium, expect questions about the Sept. 19 trip to Ole Miss, quarterback Sam Leavitt's health and whether the Tigers are ready to contend for a College Football Playoff berth.
For LSU, the biggest question may come down to the line of scrimmage.
The offensive line struggled at times last season. Center Braelin Moore returns, and projected first-round pick Jordan Seaton anchors left tackle, but the development of the other three starting spots could determine the Tigers' ceiling.
Defensively, freshmen Richard Anderson and Lamar Brown headline an outstanding recruiting class, while transfers Princewill Umanmielen and Jordan Ross were added to strengthen the pass rush. If LSU can consistently win in the trenches, the Tigers should remain firmly in the College Football Playoff race throughout the season.
