Way-too-early ranking of all 16 matchups of 2025-26 SEC/ACC Challenge

The SEC/ACC Challenge is a relatively new series between the two power conferences, entering its 3rd season for the 2025-26 campaign. In the first year, the leagues tied 7-7. Last year, the SEC expansion created 16 matchups, dominated by the SEC, 14-2. Only Duke and Clemson won their respective matchups, with the rest mostly blowouts favoring the SEC.

The ACC hopes that the next season will be better for it collectively. And now, we know the matchups. Here’s a way-too-early power ranking of the future challenge battles.

16. LSU at Boston College

These were two of the worst power conference teams last season, combining to go 7-31 in their respective leagues. While the Tigers have added a few transfers to watch, the Eagles may be the worst team in the ACC next season.

15. Virginia Tech at South Carolina

Two programs that missed the NCAA Tournament last season hope for bounce-back campaigns. Toibu Lawal is back as VT’s best player, while the Gamecocks hope to recapture the magic they had two years ago with Meechie Johnson back to run the offense.

14. Georgia at Florida State

It’s a new era at FSU, as Coach Leonard Hamilton is gone and a new roster is in. Georgia is also without star forward Asa Newell and lead guard Silas Demary Jr. There’s not a ton of intrigue on paper, but it’ll be a good early test for new HC Luke Loucks. 

13. SMU at Vanderbilt

The Mustangs bring back three starters from a 24-win team, led by guards Kevin Miller and Kario Oquendo. Vandy is coming off an NCAAT appearance but had to replace its rotation, adding former ACC players such as Mike James (NC State) and Jalen Washington (UNC).

12. Texas A&M at Pittsburgh

It’s a reunion for former Pitt Panther Federiko Federiko, who started for the 2022-23 NCAA Tournament squad. The big storyline will be new A&M HC Bucky McMillian, who landed key transfers, Mackenzie Mgbako and Pop Isaacs. Can Texas A&M win this road contest to make an early statement?

11. Oklahoma at Wake Forest

This is a matchup between good coaches in Steve Forbes (Wake) and Porter Moser (OU). Both teams are rebuilding from the past season, but the pressure will be on the Demon Deacons, who have yet to make the Big Dance in the Forbes era. They will have to replace star guard Hunter Sallis, while the Sooners landed A-10 stat-stuffer, Xzayvier Brown.

10. Mississippi State at Georgia Tech

Two of the best players in college basketball face off between Josh Hubbard (Miss State) and Baye Ndongo (GT). The question will be which revamped supporting cast has improved enough for the respective teams? There’s some pressure on the Yellow Jackets to make a leap into being a postseason threat.

9. Missouri at Notre Dame

The Irish have one of the best guards in the nation in Markus Burton, joined by a top-10 incoming recruiting class. Missouri is coming off a postseason appearance, but lost its entire rotation and had to rebuild. This could be a sneaky game with NCAAT implications.

8. Virginia at Texas

It should be a compelling matchup, simply due to the mystery. Both programs have new coaches in Ryan Odom (UVA) and Sean Miller (Texas), with completely new rosters. With both schools still having postseason expectations, this will be a key matchup on both sides. 

7. Miami at Ole Miss

New HC Jai Lucas comes from Duke to take over the Hurricanes' job, landing transfers such as Malik Reneau (Indiana) and Tre Donaldson (Michigan). Meanwhile, Coach Chris Beard is hoping that perimeter transfers AJ Storr (Kansas) and Kezza Giffa (High Point) will rebuild a backcourt that lost four double-digit scorers. These are two capable rosters, but the coaching advantage lies in the SEC for this matchup. 

6. Tennessee at Syracuse

It’s a big year for Coach Red Autry and Syracuse, bringing back key players JJ Starling and Donnie Freeman, while adding Georgia Tech PG transfer Naithan George. Even without Zakai Zeigler and Chaz Lanier, the Vols expect to be formidable again, led by Maryland transfer guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie.

5. Clemson at Alabama

Both teams lost a ton of talent, but expectations are that they’ll be back in the NCAAT convo next season. Alabama brings back guard Labaron Philon for one more year, while Clemson looks for Dillon Hunter to be a breakout contributor after losing Chase Hunter. 

4. NC State at Auburn

The Tigers have a retooled roster, coming off a Final Four appearance. Their opponent is NC State, one of the more fascinating teams to watch after hiring Coach Will Wade and landing a transfer class that features former Texas Tech star Darrion Williams. Just to see how good the Wolfpack will be makes this an intriguing matchup.

3. North Carolina at Kentucky

Since these teams play each other every three years in the CBS Sports Classic, this isn’t a rare matchup between them. However, these blue-blood programs will still make for a great game. Kentucky’s new PG is a familiar face for the Heels, landing former Pitt starter Jaland Lowe. UNC won’t have star guard RJ Davis around, but should have an upgraded frontcourt, including 5-star freshman prospect Caleb Wilson.

2. Louisville at Arkansas

Coach John Calipari has another game against Lousville, who should be one of the best teams in the country after landing a transfer class that includes sharpshooters, Isaac McKneely (UVA) and Ryan Conwell (Xavier). Arkansas has another top-tier recruiting class that features 5-star guards Meleek Thomas and Darius Acuff. Their projected starting big will be Malique Ewin, who played against Louisville last season as a member of the FSU Seminoles.

1. Florida at Duke

A game featuring two of the Final Four participants from last season would always take the No. 1 spot. Duke may not have Cooper Flagg, but replaces him with another top-tier forward prospect in Cameron Boozer. The Gators may have had to replace their entire backcourt but landed some big names from the portal, including Boogie Fland (Arkansas) and Princeton transfer, Xaivian Lee. It’s a projected top-10 matchup on paper and easily the headline game of the SEC/ACC Challenge.