Has an unranked team ever won the SEC?

Has an unranked team ever won the SEC?

While the Southeastern Conference is usually dominated by powerhouse programs that start the season heavily favored in the polls, historic surprises have happened. The most famous modern example involves a dramatic turnaround that proved pre-season rankings do not dictate how a team finishes.

In 2006, the Florida Gators began the basketball season completely unranked in the AP Top 25 Poll. Overcoming low expectations, they immediately caught fire by winning an incredible 17 straight games. By January, their dominant streak propelled them all the way up to the No. 2 spot nationally.

Like many long college seasons, they hit a rough patch later on, going 7-6 over their final 13 regular-season games and sliding down to No. 16 in the rankings. Despite the late-season slump, the Gators bounced back when it mattered most, capturing the SEC championship tournament title and proving that unranked teams can indeed conquer the conference.