NWGA'S PREMIER FEATURE MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2026
16TH ANNUAL
20 26
SEC PREVIEW READV3.COM | AUGUST 2026 V3 MAGAZINE
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Nurturing Independence, Promoting individuality and Enrigching the Lives of Our Residents
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For Your Strongest Comeback Your Most Trusted ER When every second counts, trust your health to Northwest Georgia’s top-rated ER. Our expert care team is prepped and ready to hit the ground running when you and your family need us for any emergency — from treatment of sudden illness or injury to advanced care for heart attack and stroke. With the safest, fastest and cleanest ER, we’re here to help you get back to what matters most.
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BREAKING NEWS
16TH ANNUAL
SEC PREVIEW 2026 COLUMNS 10
This month, Mark Suroveic dusts off his Master’s Degree in Sports Psychology to save college football from its greatest threat. Itself. And Lane Kiffin.
FEATURES
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AdventHealth continues to expand their footprint in Northwest Georgia to better serve the region, providing comprehensive healthcare to our community.
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Dig in and enjoy our preseason appetizer with our 16th annual SEC Football Preview. And good luck to whoever you cheer for on Saturdays!
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This Hardy Home located at 1225 Mt. Alto Rd. combines gorgeous woodland scenery with an inviting, classic home to create the perfect private getaway.
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Supporting Our Community Together We proudly support our local teams and wish them the best of luck in the upcoming season! We are proud to offer a full range of Business and Personal banking products and services that are designed for your specific needs. Personal Checking Accounts (including FREE Checking!)
CDs/IRAs/Money Market (Personal & Business)
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Same Day Debit Card
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And More
eBANK Always Open At: fncbank.com We have 11 branch locations throughout northwest Georgia.
DOWNTOWN ROME 501 Broad Street 706.378.5300
WEST ROME 2211 Shorter Avenue 706.378.5305
ARMUCHEE 2950 Martha Berry Blvd. 706.314.0560
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Publisher's Note On December 5th, 1992, my dad and I made the trip to Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama to watch my Florida Gators take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first ever SEC Championship Game. It was the first event of its kind in college football, and it was an instant classic. It didn’t go the Gators way as Alabama’s Antonio Langham intercepted a Shane Matthews pass and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. That put the Tide up 2821 and was enough to give them the win. They went on to throttle Miami in the Sugar Bowl to win the National Title after that game under Gene Stallings. The next year the two teams met again in Birmingham and the Gators got the win 28-13, once O W N E R & C E O Ian Griffin again we were in attendance, but this time I left smiling. The game moved to Atlanta and The Georgia Dome the next year, which was even easier to attend, so we kept the streak going for the first seven years of the game. I missed a bunch after that before securing annual tickets of my own in 2006. While I haven’t gone every year, I’ve made it to 17 of 34 and kept my tickets throughout the years so even if my team or a marquee matchup I just can't miss isn’t going down, I can pass them on to another die-hard fan. I watched three absolute classics between Bama and Georgia, watched Cam Newton thrash South Carolina with a dear friend and hardcore Auburn fan, saw my gators almost every time they made it and witnessed a few forgetable blowouts.
OWNER & CEO Ian Griffin MANAGING PARTNER Chris Forino CREATIVE DIRECTOR Katelyn Roman WRITERS Ian Griffin, Grayson Atkins, Mark Suroviec, Nina Lovel, Curry Teems, Lauren Bachman PHOTOGRAPHERS Ivan Felipe, Andy Calvert PUBLISHER V3 Publications, LLC CONTACT hello@v3collective.com CREATOR Neal Howard
It’s a game that holds a special place in my heart. So, when I called about my renewal this season, it hit hard when the lady from the SEC ticket office said I should call to check on upgrades in June of 2027 “IF” we have a game. Change can be a sneaky little sucker sometimes. Maybe we choose to ignore the signs or let the hopeless optimist in us try and wish away the inevitable, who knows? My coping mechanism? I tried to put together a comprehensive plan designed to expand the College Football Playoff while keeping conference championship games. It made sense to me, but they turned down my application for the new commissioner of college football. Oh well! So, change wins again, and my emotional ties will make me see it through. Whether it’s this year or next or the one after that, If I’m breathing, I went to the first and I’ll be at the last. The sport I love most will never be the same and the landscape will continue to change, but it doesn’t change my enthusiasm for it going forward. This issue is so much fun to put together, and I hope you all enjoy reading it.
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READV3.COM ReadV3.com: Where you can find all the print content from this issue, our archives and exclusive ReadV3 digital features.
Thank Goodness it’s finally football season!
GO
DAWGS!
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WLAQ Sports has local high school football covered.
DESTINATION FRIDAY NIGHT
ALL
GAMES
6:00
Friday Night Fever: Previewing all the area games w/ the WLAQ team and special guests.
6:45
The Coach Groves Show
7:15
Tiger Pre-game Show
7:30
Darlington Tigers Football
10-11:30
Friday Night Final: Recapping the night’s action with calls from Coaches, special guests, and you the fans.
From 6-11:30 p.m listen LIVE on 96.9 FM, 1410 AM, 1410WLAQ.com or via the Tune in App | Facebook: WLAQ - Rome Friday Night Fever and Friday Night Final can also be accessed on YouTube & Facebook LIVE.
And don’t forget to tune in live Wednesday nights @ 7pm for the Coach Groves Show via Youtube & Facebook LIVE.
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My Fool-Resistant Plan to Save College Football College Football exists today in a weird juxtaposition of all-time popularity, but with a rotting core. And less than 40% of its internal sickness can be attributed directly to Lane Kiffin. This article reveals some of the largest threats to the college football ecosystem and how to fix them in ways that everyone will hate.
In a recent interview taking place in my imagination, Georgia football coach Kirby Smart eloquently said, “Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) payments are out of control. The effect on competition is like this weird Schrödinger’s cat experiment where every team is both alive and dead at the same time. Except it’s a choice between going 2 – 10, or buying 3-star prospects a Lamborghini.”* #1 – Exorbitant NIL money turns college players into overpriced mercenaries with zero commitment to a school. I propose the following NIL restrictions and adjustments to the transfer portal: • The maximum NIL payment cannot exceed the median rookie income in the NFL for that position. • All NIL earnings go into a blind trust invested in predictable index funds, managed by a three-person panel of extreme fiscal conservatives. My suggestions are Clark Howard, Dave Ramsey, and an Amish farmer from central Ohio. • All portal transfers must take place inside the window established by the FEMA teleporter at the Armuchee Waffle House.
• Any player who "uncommits" after live-streaming their hat selection video on social media has the choice of: o Being locked out of TikTok and Instagram for 6 months. OR o Play their first 8 games of the season with "Douchebag" embroidered on the back of their jersey in 10-inch letters. #2 – The collapse of small and mid-tier athletic conferences has led to fewer meaningful games, travel nightmares for student-athletes, and mismatched levels of competition. The following conference realignment will improve conference parity, make every regular season game matter, and reduce coast-to-coast travel during the regular season. A formal data-driven study will measure results from the previous ten seasons and identify the best 32 programs from recent history into an NCAA Premier League. Those 32 teams will be divided into four regional conferences named after the areas’ most prominent natural disasters. • Wildfire Western Conference • The Blizzard Eight • Midwest Tornado Ten (but only has 8 teams) • Southeastern AI Datacenters Have Causal Links to Electrical and Water Shortages Region
Mark Suroviec, M.Ed., is the Chief Ambassador of Fun at WorkPlay Solutions, the author of Forever Sisters, and the Vice President of the Children’s Museum of Rome. He hopes you pity laugh at his humor and satire stories, especially the ones that aren’t funny. 10
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Traditional SEC teams: Alabama (1), Georgia (3), LSU (9), Florida (17), Ole Miss (19), Auburn(23), and Kentucky (29) make the cut. Along with newer SEC additions Oklahoma (5), Texas(15), and Texas A&M (21), joining the Midwest Tornado Ten region. ** Four additional tiers will be created for teams 33–64, 65–96, 96–128, and 129+. Teams in the lowest tier, like Akron (130), Kennesaw State (133), and Tennessee (138), will plan football exhibition matches against high school girls’ lacrosse—and still probably lose. How does the NCAA ensure only the best 32 teams remain in the top tier and play each other every week? College football will use a relegation process similar to the English Premier League in European football (Soccer). The bottom two teams in each conference will be removed and sent to a lower tier at the conclusion of the season. Similarly, the top two teams in each conference will be promoted and replace Ole Miss and Kentucky. Each team will play a twelve-game schedule. This format includes the other seven teams of their conference, three opponents from a sister conference, one historic rivalry, and a random opponent selected by the VFW Lodge Bingo Night. Historic Rivalry games must include a nonsense trophy like the Old Wooden Bucket, Big Brass Spittoon, or Lucky Irish Jock Strap to qualify. The days of cupcake games in week 2 against the Georgia School for the Deaf Academy of Trucking and Bakery Science (JC) are officially over. Conference championship games will not be played because they are stupid. #3 – The proposed expansion of the College Football Playoff will siphon value and excitement from the regular season.
To fix the playoff format, only the top 2 teams in each conference will play in an 8-team playoff. The Pop-Tarts Bowl marketing team organizes and runs every game with full creative freedom for all festivities. To remind southerners that football does exist above the Mason-Dixon line, 50% of all playoff games must take place in at least 6" of snow. #4 – Auburn has two mascots, and that is super annoying. Auburn must choose a single mascot from now until the final trumpet sounds. *** My suggestions include: • Auburn War Eagles • Auburn Peaceful Velociraptors • Auburn Mildly Hungry Hippos That Could Use a Light Snack If It’s Not Too Much Trouble, But Don’t Make a Special Trip for Me. • Auburn Hey Y’all, Watch This • Leopracy Disclaimer: This story was written by Mark Suroviec, M.Ed. All people and quotations are fictional, invented by the limited imagination of the author, and do not reflect the opinions of the author, editors, the NCAA, or V3 Magazine. *Sounds like something Coach Smart would say. **Genuine statistical analysis from the CBS 138 end-of-season polling between the years 2015-2025, used with creative license regarding Tennessee. ***Apocalypse trumpet, not a student in the Peaceful Velociraptor Marching Band.
Also, no college athlete dreams of the day they will hoist the trophy over their head from a bowl game sponsored by a riding lawn mower.
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THE JOURNEY TO WELLNESS AdventHealth continues to expand their footprint in Northwest Georgia to better serve the region, providing comprehensive healthcare to our community. Kimberley Weatherford, FNP-C
The journey to wellness begins with primary care, where patients both sick and well can establish relationships with their doctors to partner together on the path to getting well and staying well. With a new local call center now designed to provide the community with quick and easy access, anyone can call and find a doctor that has availability near the caller, with new primary care services now available in Summerville, Rockmart, Cedartown and Trion. The goal is to serve families with the quality care they need, wherever and whenever they need it. No matter what individual needs are, the primary care teams at AdventHealth make it easy to establish your goals, reach them, and maintain a healthy lifestyle going forward. The foundation for achieving this level of wellness starts with relationships. Kimberly Weatherford is a Family Nurse Practitioner and has been a part of the AdventHealth Family Medicine team on Shorter Avenue in Rome for two 12
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and a half years. Most of the time people engage with healthcare when they experience an episode, such as a sickness or injury. But the concept of primary care is truly a partnership—a healthcare provider who works with you to help you stay well, achieve your health goals, and ultimately feel more whole. This is the process that Weatherford appreciates most about her job. “I love getting to know my patients and helping them progress toward their health goals,” says Weatherford. “It's such a blessing to be able to share in their healthcare journey whether that's helping them determine healthy paths or helping them select the best medications to treat an illness. I'm humbled by the trust that patients place in me.” That passion and humility serve Weatherford well as she cares for her patients, but her appreciation of the shared vision AdventHealth promotes, creates a team of people working towards common goals to best serve their patients.
“A big part of our role in primary care is to help patients prevent illness by getting timely screening and having routine health assessments to identify and correct problems early,” says Weatherford. “When we aren't focused on prevention, our role is often centered around helping patients better understand their condition(s) so they can navigate the best path forward. In primary care, we see patients in all stages of life and in all states of health, and I'm constantly amazed at the transformations that patients can make when they receive the right care! I've seen patients beat cancer, turn their diabetes around, conquer obesity, learn to walk and talk again after a stroke, and the list goes on! We have a great community of caregivers, and I am truly honored to be part of the AdventHealth team.” This all-star cast establishes a foundation of trust with their patients through quality care and Practice Administrator Maria Patterson sees their hard work and dedication every day as she provides support to all the AdventHealth Medical Group Primary Care clinics in Rome. With over 24 years of experience in physician practice operations and patient care support, Patterson has a wealth of knowledge that she brings to the table and her ability to connect the dots to give her team the resources they need to succeed shines through in the quality of care the clinics provide. “The most rewarding part of my job is having the opportunity to support and develop others while helping ensure our patients have access to quality care,” says Patterson. “I enjoy working alongside our providers, managers, and team to solve challenges, improve operations, and create an environment where people can succeed.” “I often say that healthcare is hard. It's complex, constantly changing, and there are days when the challenges can feel overwhelming. But that’s also what makes it so rewarding. I have the opportunity to work alongside great people, help remove barriers, solve problems, and support teams as they care for patients. Seeing the positive impact our clinics have on patients and our communities, while also helping our employees succeed is what makes this work so meaningful to me.” With a wonderful team in place and the resources to make it easy for patients to get the care they need, AdventHealth Medical Group gives everyone in Northwest Georgia a partner in their healthcare journey. Find a clinic in your area today.
Your AdventHealth Medical Group Primary Care Locations: Cartersville Family and Internal Medicine at Medical Drive 12 Medical Drive NE I 770-386-1000 Cedartown Family and Internal Medicine at Cedartown 1168 N Main Street, Suite 110 | 770-749-1005 Rockmart Primary Care & Urgent Care at Rockmart 1063 Nathan Dean Bypass | 678-685-9517 Rome Family and Occupational Medicine at Shorter Avenue 2112 Shorter Avenue, Suite 200 | 706-233-4000 Internal Medicine at East 2nd Avenue 715 East 2nd Avenue SW | 706-291-9898 Internal Medicine at Shorter Avenue 2112 Shorter Avenue, Suite 200 | 706-295-1184 Primary Care at John Maddox 7 John Maddox Dr. NW | 706-368-8590 Primary Care at W 10th Street 309 W 10th Street | 706-203-5782 Summerville Primary Care & Urgent Care at Summerville 9777 Rome Boulevard | 770-386-1000 Trion Family Medicine at Trion 160 Central Avenue | 706-734-7302
Note: AdventHealth’s Care Concierge, located in Rome, is ready to take your call to set you up with your new provider, right away. If you need a primary care doctor, call 706-625-9568. Maria Patterson
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16 TH ANNUAL
SEC P review
TEXT BY: IAN GRIFFIN & GRAYSON ATKINS
BREAKING NEWS
A RETURN TO GLORY?
W
ith the Big-10 flaunting their strangle hold on the last three CFP National Championships, it’s put up or shut up time for the SEC. While the argument can still be made that the SEC is still the best conference top to bottom when it comes to talent and on-field success, championships matter and the Big10 has the last three with Michigan, Ohio State and Indiana giving them the collective three-peat. As the landscape of college football continues to shift, the reality is that these two power conferences could be the only ones left standing when the chips are all played. They already dominate the decision-
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making, and the bitterness between them is getting stronger with every Curt Cignetti press conference quip. The quickest way to shut up a rival, is to beat them on the field of play, and both conferences have teams that are favorites to win it all, but until an SEC team achieves that feet, the bragging rights belong to the boys up north. As always, there are no shortage of story lines within the conference itself. From Lane Kiffin’s return to Oxford at the end of September to Arch Manning’s ability to live up to the sky-high expectations in Austin, we have questions and while they can only be answered by what transpires on the field, it sure is fun to
AUGUST 2026
take our best guesses at how things will play out. Is the Georgia defense back to natty form? Can Trinidad Chambliss keep Ole Miss rolling? Is Vanderbilt here to stay? Can A&M get over the hump? How will the six first-year coaches, Sumrall(Florida), Alex Golesh(Auburn), Lane Kiffin (LSU), Pete Golding (Ole Miss), Ryan Silverfield(Arkansas) & Will Stein(Kentucky) fair and which one will prove to be the best hire in the long run? The list goes on and on, and we do our best to paint the picture on the pages that follow. So, dig in and enjoy our preseason appetizer and good luck to whoever you cheer for on Saturdays.
2025 RESULTS: 11-4, 7-1 SEC 2026 PROJECTION: 9-3, 6-3 SEC
ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE 2026 SCHEDULE 9.5
EAST CAROLINA
9.12
@ KENTUCKY
9.19
FLORIDA STATE
9.26
SOUTH CAROLINA
10.3
@ MISSISSIPPI STATE
10.10
GEORGIA
10.17
@ TENNESSEE
10.24
TEXAS A&M
10.31
OPEN DATE
11.7
@ LSU
11.14
@ VANDERBILT
11.21
UT-CHATTANOOGA
11.28
AUBURN
Zabien Brown
Kalen DeBoer
Text: Ian Griffin Austin Mack
Overview: If it were any other situation, Kalen DeBoer would have likely banked a little credit with his fanbase. But this is Alabama and he is following the GOAT, so making the SEC Championship game and winning their first playoff game since 2021 doesn’t wash out the getting smacked by Georgia in the SEC Championship and then later blown out in the Rose Bowl by Indiana. You throw in the embarrassing loss to Florida State to open the season, and you have a coach that needs better results in 2026 to keep his fans happy.
Offense: Ty Simpson is out, and it has been on open competition between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell for the starting quarterback role. Whoever emerges, will have Ryan Coleman-Williams at receiver to target, and Williams should be hungry to show his worth after a sophomore slump where he had one of the nation's highest drop rates. He is a game-changing talent if he can improve his hands. The bigger issue is the running game. Alabama struggled to run the rock in 2025, averaging a mere 3.4 yards per carry. They had to hit the portal hard to fill out the offensive line, and that unit will have to
improve for the Tide to contend for a playoff spot. If they can create running lanes, Daniel Hill and 5-star freshman EJ Crowell can return the Tide to form in the running game.
Quinn as the Tide looks for stability at that position. A new punter will be booting the ball for the Tide this year as Alex Asparuhov and Adam Watford battle it out for the starting position.
Defense:
Final Thoughts:
While the lack of running game for the Tide was shocking, the way their defensive front was dominated in the SEC Championship loss to Georgia and the absolute beat down they suffered against Indiana was even more so. The rebuild up front was bolstered by linebacker Yhonzae Pierre returning for a fourth year, and they hit the portal hard snagging Terrance Green from Oregon and Devan Thompkins from USC to add some girth on the line. The secondary is laden with experience and should be a strength while inside backers will be led by Virginia Tech transfer Caleb Woodson, who will need to step up big to strengthen that position.
Championships are the expectation in Tuscaloosa, and DeBoer knew that when he took the job. Being dominant on the line of scrimmage is what made Saban so successful, and this Bama team will only go as far as the big nasties can take them. I like Russel to win the job at quarterback and his playmaking ability with his feet, could certainly make the offense more explosive. If he turns out to be special, it could improve their chances of being a player in the CFP as well. There’s not much margin for error. Deboer has one of the most talented squads in America, and other than playing in Jordan-Hare, almost all of their tough games are at home. With that being said, while expectations are almost as high as they’ve ever been, Alabama has what it takes to get another national title.
Special Teams: Special teams weren’t so special for the Tide last year, highlighted by several big misses from placekicker Conor Talty, who returns for a fourth year in 2026. He is being pushed by Marshall transfer, Lorcan
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Text: Grayson Atkins
Overview: God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers. For Arkansas fans, they would probably tell you they’ve been through a battle or two. It was tough sledding last year, and it is going to be tough sledding this year. With the hardest strength of schedule in America, Ryan Silverfield is getting thrown into the fire in year one.
Offense: KJ Jackson and AJ Hill are currently battling to handle the keys to the offense after Taylen Green went off to the NFL. CJ Brown, Chris Marshall, and Jamari Hawkins are some pass catchers at receiver that will rack up some yards this season. Braylen Russell will be solid at running back. The offensive line is experienced, with Caden Kitler, Bryant Williams, and Malachi Breland headlining the group. Jaden Platt is the primary tight end who will see the most time and has the most returning production. It may not be the most talented group, but it has some solid experience to rely on.
Defense:
2025 RESULTS: 2-10, 0-8 SEC 2026 PREDICTIONS: 2-10, 0-9 SEC
ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS 2026 SCHEDULE 9.5
NORTH ALABAMA
9.12
@ UTAH
9.19
GEORGIA
9.26
TULSA
10.3
@ TEXAS A&M
10.10
TENNESSEE
10.17
@ VANDERBILT
10.24
OPEN DATE
10.31
MISSOURI
11.7
@ AUBURN
11.14
SOUTH CAROLINA
11.21
@ TEXAS
11.28
LSU
Much like the offense, this is a group with some decent experience, whether it is at Arkansas or somewhere else through the portal. For starters, Bradley Shaw will have the green dot, and Steven Soles and Ja’Quavion Smith are beside him at linebacker. Quincy Rhodes is back at DE, and the secondary has La'khi Roland, Shelton Lewis, Joker Johnson, and Khmori House, who have all been key secondary pieces. This is a revamped unit, and while the Razorbacks have been historically bad at this side of the ball, Ryan Silverfield and Ron Roberts hope to turn things around through the portal.
Special Teams: Gavin Hunt is going to punt, and Max Gilbert will be the placekicker. Sutton Smith will return both punts and kickoffs.
Final Thoughts:
Quincy RhodesJr.
It is an absolute gauntlet of a schedule that the Razorbacks have. Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, Texas, and Texas A&M? That’s rough. While they have some experience, I don’t think it is enough to go toe to toe with the SEC’s best.
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KJ Jackson
Ryan Silverfield
Text: Ian Griffin
Overview: The Hugh Freeze era crashed and burned, and the revolving door at Auburn continues to spin. Enter Alex Golesh from South Florida, and Tiger fans are once again hopeful they can return to glory. Golesh had the Bulls in the mix for a playoff spot early in the season after pushing Miami to the brink and beating the Gators in the Swamp, but they dropped too many games to be in the conversation when the dust settled. Regardless, he was a hot name on the coaching carousel, and Auburn snagged him. With him comes a slew of former Bulls, led by quarterback Byrum Brown who is no stranger to Power-4 competition.
Xavier Atkins
Offense:
Jeremiah Cobb
Alex Golesh
2025 RESULTS: 5-7, 1-7 SEC 2026 PROJECTION: 6-6, 3-6 SEC
The aforementioned Brown will have three of his favorite targets from USF to throw to, with Chas Nimrod leading the way and his center, Cole Best, also followed Golesh to the Plains. The repour there gives instant stability to the passing game, while the back field should be in good shape with leading rusher Jeremiah Cobb returning and Bryson Washington coming in from Baylor. The question mark lies in a transfer laden offensive line. If they can gel, Auburn could be a sleeper.
Defense:
2026 SCHEDULE
Golesh wasted no time retaining defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, that is still young but really showed flashes of being dominant in 2025. Linebacker Xavier Atkins is an absolute beast and will anchor a deep and talented group at the position, while the safety position is also in good shape with a ton of experience and production returning. Cornerback and defensive line are more questionable, with a lot of transfers learning a new system.
9.5
BAYLOR
9.12
SOUTHERN MISS
Special Teams:
9.19
FLORIDA
AUBURN TIGERS
9.26
VANDERBILT
10.3
@ TENNESSEE
10.10
OPEN DATE
10.17
@GEORGIA
10.24
LSU
10.31
@ OLE MISS
11.7
ARKANSAS
11.14
@ MISSISSIPPI STATE
11.21
SAMFORD
11.28
@ ALABAMA
The Tigers are all set in the third phase of the game, led by placekicker Alex McPherson, who is a Lou Groza favorite and holds Auburn's career record for field goal percentage at 88.9%. Punter Hudson Kaak is back for his second year as starter, and there are plenty of playmakers available in the return game.
Final Thoughts: While Golesh brought in a lot of guys familiar with his system, there are a lot of transfers that will need to mesh for the Tigers to return to prominence in 2026. The schedule is manageable, with a week three matchup against Florida that will be crucial for success. If they can win out in September, the Tigers could surpass expectations. READV3.COM | AUGUST 2026 V3 MAGAZINE
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2025 RESULTS: 4-8, 2-6 SEC 2026 PROJECTION: 8-4, 5-4 SEC
FLORIDA GATORS 2026 SCHEDULE 9.5
FLORIDA ATLANTIC
9.12
CAMPBELL
9.19
@ AUBURN
9.26
OLE MISS
10.3
@ MISSOURI
10.10
SOUTH CAROLINA
10.17
@ TEXAS
10.24
OPEN DATE
10.31
VS. GEORGIA (ATLANTA)
11.7
OKLAHOMA
11.14
@ KENTUCKY
11.21
VANDERBILT
11.28
@ FLORIDA STATE
Dallas Wilson
Myles Graham
John Sumrall
Jadan Baugh
Text: Ian Griffin
Overview: The Billy Napier era is over; the courtship of Lane Kiffin was brief and while another mid-major climber might not have been what the fanbase wanted, John Sumrall won the press conference, saved the incoming recruiting class, kept all the key veterans from transferring and made a splash hire at offensive coordinator getting Buster Faulkner from Georgia Tech. Will that translate into the kind of success gator fans thirst for? We’ll wait and see, but after 4 of the last five seasons ending with losing records, a winning record and a bowl game should get the ball rolling in the right direction.
Offense: The biggest recruiting win for Sumrall was really roster retention. He convinced running back Jaden Baugh and receivers Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson to stay in Gainesville along with last year’s backup quarterback, Tramell Jones Jr., who will battle it out with Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo for the starting job. Philo has the advantage even though he is new to Gainesville because he played for Faulkner at Georgia Tech and knows the system.
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Special Teams: Reports from camp are positive on both gunslingers, but it remains to be seen who will get the starting nod. Wide Receiver Eric Singleton Jr. Is another transfer of note, by way of Auburn, but played for Faulkner at Georgia Tech before his days as a Tiger, so his familiarity with the system could make for an explosive group at the position. Up front a slew of proven transfers join 3-year starter at guard Knijeah Harris, but they will need to gel as the offense will only go as far as the big nasties will take them.
Defense: The Gators front seven is stacked, with linebackers Myles Graham, Jaden Robinson and Aaron Chiles leading the way along with edge rushers and interior linemen like Jaden Woods, Kamran James and Brendan Bett. The Secondary has a lot more question marks, but if corners Cormani McClain and Dijon Johnson can find the consistency they lacked in 2025 it could end up being a muchimproved unity. Ben Hank III is a young gun to watch, while the safeties are a proven commodity.
Tulane transfers Patrick Durkin and Alec Clark will take over place kicking and punting duties respectfully, with both Vernell Brown III bringing game-changing ability to the return game.
Final Thoughts: The schedule isn’t easy and that means the swing games must win. The trip to Auburn in week 3 is a big one, and they follow that with Ole Miss coming to Gainesville the week after an emotional match up with LSU. That needs to be a split at minimum because brutal stretch of games including trips to Texas, Georgia (@ Mercedes Benz Stadium) and home game against Oklahoma could easily result in a 3-game skid. 8-4 would be a great first season in Gainesville for Sumrall, but that could prove to be a tall task in year one.
Overview: Georgia is primed to have another monster year in 2026. With a heavy bit of their defense back and a promising offensive core, depth should not be an issue this year. The Bulldogs do have some tests, and I may be biased, but they have what it takes to go undefeated.
Offense: There is pretty much everything in the Bulldogs offense. While the receiver room has been a question mark for many, Isaiah Canion, London Humphreys and Talyn Taylor should answer those questions. At tight end, Lawson Luckie, Elyiss Williams, and Jaden Reddell are set to have big years. Drew Bobo and Earnest Greene III spotlight a massive offensive line, and behind them, a three headed monster at tailback in guys like Nate Frazier, Chauncey Bowens, and Dwight Phillips, as Dante Dowdell will be sidelined for much of the year. Gunner Stockton is back and has another true shot at New York. Overall, it is a very balanced lineup that should be hard to prepare for.
Defense: The defensive unit has more than what it takes to be one of the best in America. At linebackers, Chris Cole, Raylen Wilson, and Justin Williams are some
names to watch out for. After an injury against Ole Miss last year, Jordan Hall will be back at defensive line. Elijah Griffin and Gabe Harris are going to provide nightmares for opposing offensive lines. The secondary is the definition of a no-fly zone. KJ Bolden, Ellis Robinson, Demello Jones, and Rasean Dinkins are some returning guys, and transfers like Braylon Conley, Ja’Marley Riddle, and Khalil Barnes are set to make a name for themselves in Athens. This group is going to be hard to run the ball against, and passing will also be an absolute nightmare.
Special Teams: While Brett Thorson is off and gone, Drew Miller is expected to fill some big shoes. Peyton Woodring is back at kicker, and as it stands right now, Cass product Sacovie-White Helton will return punts, and Nate Frazier will return kickoffs.
Final Thoughts: This group is more than ready and experienced to make it to not only Atlanta, but they could definitely be seen in Las Vegas for the natty. While they have tests like Oklahoma, Alabama, and Ole Miss, I can fully see the Bulldogs riding the wave all year to the playoffs.
Chauncey Bowens
Gunner Stockton
Kriby Smart
Luckie Lawson
2025 RESULTS: 12-2, 7-1 SEC 2026 PROJECTION: 12-0, 9-0 SEC
GEORGIA BULLDOGS 2026 SCHEDULE 9.5
TENNESSEE STATE
9.12
WESTERN KENTUCKY
9.19
@ ARKANSAS
9.26
OKLAHOMA
10.3
VANDERBILT
10.10
@ ALABAMA
10.17
AUBURN
10.24
OPEN DATE
10.31
VS. FLORIDA (ATLANTA)
11.7
@ OLE MISS
11.14
MISSOURI
11.21
@ SOUTH CAROLINA
11.28
GEORGIA TECH
Text: Grayson Atkins
Nate frazier
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2025 RECORD: 5-7, 2-6 SEC 2026 PREDICTION: 3-9, 2-7 SEC
KENTUCKY WILDCATS 2026 SCHEDULE 9.5
Will Stein
YOUNGSTOWN STATE
9.12
ALABAMA
Overview:
9.19
@ TEXAS A&M
Will Stein is a promising coordinator turned head coach, and one of the best offensive minds the game has to offer. With some key transfer pieces, it may not happen in year one, but Kentucky faithful should have a lot to look forward to with Stein at the helm.
9.26
SOUTH ALABAMA
10.3
@ SOUTH CAROLINA
10.10
LSU
10.17
@ OKLAHOMA
10.24
VANDERBILT
Offense: Kenny Minchey will be the starting
10.31
OPEN DATE
11.7
@TENNESSEE
quarterback for the Wildcats this fall after transferring from Notre Dame. Javontae Barnes and CJ Baxter are some promising transfer backs that will most likely tote the rock the majority of carries. Nic Anderson, Shane Carr, and DJ Miller will star in an offense that is pass-heavy. On the offensive line, Lance Heard and Coleton Price are key transfers that will look to lead this side of the trenches. Willie Rodriguez at tight end will look to put up good receiving numbers again in the fall. A transfer-heavy group that has a lot of talent should be fairly competitive in most games.
11.14
FLORIDA
11.21
@ MISSOURI
11.28
LOUISVILLE
Defense: The defense is a strong point for the Wildcats. Upfront, Tavion Gadson and Jamarrion Harkless will disrupt opposing backfields. Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace and Sam Greene will also be key playmakers at the edge. At linebackers, Grant Godfrey and Elijah Barnes are set to have good years. The secondary is deep and experienced, as Ty Bryant looks to have a standout senior campaign, with Jordan Castell, Ty Bryant, Teryhon Nichols, and Hasaan Hykes all being valuable pieces to shut down passing attacks. This should be a fun unit to watch, and one of the more underrated in the SEC.
Ty Bryant
Special Teams: Thomas O’Hara will punt, and Jacob Kauwe will kick. Ty Bryant will return punts, and Ja’Kayden Ferguson will return kickoffs.
Final Thoughts: I think the Wildcats could potentially compete in the SEC. It’s a hard schedule, but when Kentucky comes to mind, I imagine a scrappy group that isn’t going to give up. While I don’t believe they are going to win many games, there is a high chance they remain competitive in the majority.
Text: Grayson Atkins 20
V3 MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026 | READV3.COM
Willie Rodriguez
Kenny Minchey
Text: Grayson Atkins
Overview: Holy trainwreck. I thought for sure they were making the playoffs, then they had the roughest three game sled where they fell off the face of the earth. LSU never recovered, so they fired Brian Kelly, so they went out and took Lane Kiffin from Ole Miss. All eyes are on the Tigers this year, and if things don’t live up to expectations, Baton Rouge could turn on their new head honcho really quickly.
Offense: As always, this offense has some star power. Sam Leavitt is the new signal caller for the Tigers and has a transfer trio of guys to throw the ball to like Jayce Brown, Eugene Wilson III (sorry about that Ian), and Jackson Harris. In the trenches, Jordan Seaton could be an All American, and other names like Braelin Moore and Aliou Bah are some guys who could get some NFL buzz. Trey’Dez Green, a tight end who is essentially just a big body receiver, should definitely be in the running for first team All American. Harlem Berry and Caden Durham are some reliable options at running back. This was a squad that struggled mightily last year. With Charlie Weis calling the plays, teams are going to have a hard time figuring out this lineup.
Trey’Dez Green,
Defense: It was odd to say that LSU’s defense outshined
Bauer Sharp
Lane Kiffin
2025 RECORD: 7-6, 3-5 SEC 2026 PREDICTION: 10-2, 7-2 SEC
LSU TIGERS
the offense last year. Nonetheless, this squad is still very good. DJ Pickett is the star of this defense at corner, with Ty Benefield, PJ Woodland, Dashawn Spears, and Tamarcus Cooley having some talent in the backend to help him out. Upfront is where this defense really shines. Headhunters Whit Weeks and TJ Dottery are bound to be nightmares in the box, and Princewill Umanmielen should have another standout year. Jordan Ross could be a potential breakout candidate after not producing much at Tennessee.
Special Teams: Grant Chadwick will punt, and
2026 SCHEDULE
Scott Starzyk will kick. While Lane Kiffin has not yet named a kick or punt returner, expect names like Winston Watkins Jr., Eugene Wilson III, Jayce Brown, and Caden Durham to compete for those spots.
9.5
CLEMSON
9.12
LOUISIANA TECH
Final Thoughts: Lane Kiffin has arrived in the
9.19
OLE MISS
9.26
TEXAS A&M
10.3
MCNEESE STATE
10.10
@ KENTUCKY
10.17
MISSISSIPPI STATE
10.24
@ AUBURN
10.31
OPEN DATE
11.7
ALABAMA
11.14
TEXAS
11.21
@ TENNESSEE
11.28
@ ARKANSAS
bayou and brought all the guys from the portal with him. LSU needs to be much improved, or else things could turn on him quickly. While they may not make Atlanta, LSU will still be a force to be reckoned with and should be back to the norm this fall.
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2025 RESULTS: 5-8, 1-7 SEC 2026 PREDICTION: 5-7, 1-8 SEC
MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS 2026 SCHEDULE 9.5
LOUISIANA MONROE
9.12
@ MINNESOTA
9.19
@ SOUTH CAROLINA
9.26
MISSOURI
10.3
ALABAMA
10.10
OPEN DATE
10.17
@ LSU
10.24
OKLAHOMA
10.31
@ TEXAS
11.7
VANDERBILT
11.14
AUBURN
11.21
TENNESSEE TECH
11.28
@ OLE MISS
Anthony Evans
Jeff Lebby
Text: Grayson Atkins
Kamario Taylor
Overview: MS State was a lot better than the record reflected last year. They had a few heartbreakers, like Texas and Tennessee, at home. Get those back and they might have been a fringe top 25 team. This year, the schedule is a little rougher and it’s a tougher SEC. I don’t expect Lebby and his squad to improve drastically.
Offense: Unless something crazy happens, Kamario Taylor will be the starter, who showed flashes of stardom in his appearances last season. Fluff Bothwell is the leading back, and at receiver, Ayden Williams and Anthony Evans are solid options out wide. While the offensive line play has been shaky, Canon
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Boone, Jakheem Shupert-Perkins, DJ Chester, and Blake Steen have some much-needed experience. Sam West should be the leader at TE. It’s a veteran group with some key weapons at the skill positions.
of tackles, and Quentin Taylor will most likely start alongside Kelley Jones. A new look defense will have a lot of tests in the fall, and maybe they will be up to the task.
Defense:
Special Teams: Ethan Pulliam will punt, and Kyle Ferrie is on to kick. Anthony Evans will return punts, and Marquis Johnson is going to return kicks.
This unit has always struggled, but there is some good in the chaos, as Zach Arnett is back at DC. Kelley Jones is one of the top corners in America and should have an All-American season. Zakari Tillman is a key veteran returner, at linebacker, and has guys upfront such as Amaree Williams and Malick Sylla to be productive and disruptive against the run. Jahron Manning and Isaac Smith are safeties that are experienced and produce a lot
Final Thoughts: I hope Mississippi State does better than I think they are going to do. While they are definitely going to be better, a daunting schedule prevents them from putting up a good W-L record, and if they get a few injuries, things could go downhill in Starkvegas.
Text: Ian Griffin
Overview: Eli Drinkwitz is the best coach nobody wanted during the wild 2025 coaching carousel. The guy has won 29 games in the last three seasons. The only teams with more...Ole Miss, Texas, Alabama and Georgia. That’s pretty good company. Put a little respect on Eli’s name. They should breeze through a cupcake non-conference schedule, but the conference slate is a little tougher than years past and the turnover, especially on defense is pretty drastic. 8 wins might be Drinks best coaching job yet.
Offense: The Austin Simmons project didn’t work out at Ole Miss, but he found a soft-landing spot with a veteran offensive line and perhaps the best backfield in the SEC with Ahmad Hardy and Jamal Roberts. The receiver room is a new batch of unproven faces and Simmons turnover issues in his limited action at Ole Miss are cause for concern. The talent is there for Simmons, but he will have to prove he can be consistent and not lose games for a team that should be able to lean on its running game.
Ahmad Hardy
Defense:
2025 RESULTS: 8-5, 4-4 SEC 2026 PROJECTION: 6-6, 3-6 SEC
Here is where things get sketchy for the Tigers. All, yes, all the 11 starters from a stingy unit are gone. So, 11 new faces will be counted on to stop opposing offenses. Some of those faces got valuable playing time last year such as Darris Smith, Nicholas Rodriguez and Santana Banner bring some continuity, but they have big shoes to fill. A group of talented transfers led by former Ole Miss Rebel Chris Graves Jr., should provide little to no drop off from last year’s unit, but if the front seven can’t get pressure, it won’t matter.
MISSOURI TIGERS 2026 SCHEDULE
Special Teams: Blake Craig returns as place kicker coming off a torn ACL and should provide consistency that they lacked in his absence, while freshman Brunno Reus will handle punting duties. DaMarion Flowers will be back in the return game, offering experience and explosiveness to the 3rd phase of the game.
Final Thoughts: 3-0 is almost guaranteed and 5-0 isn’t a stretch, but the middle portion of the schedule includes home games against both Texas schools and road trips to Ole Miss, Arkansas and Georgia. How they handle that stretch will determine if it will be a great season in Columbia or just another bowl game.
9.5
ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF
9.12
@ KANSAS
9.19
TROY
9.26
@ MISSISSIPPI STATE
10.3
FLORIDA
10.10
TEXAS A&M
10.17
@ OLE MISS
10.24
OPEN DATE
10.31
@ ARKANSAS
11.7
TEXAS
11.14
@ GEORGIA
11.21
KENTUCKY
11.28
@ OKLAHOMA
Austin Simmons
READV3.COM | AUGUST 2026 V3 MAGAZINE
Eli Drinkwitz
23
Text: Ian Griffin
Overview: Even though they lost in the first round of the playoffs to Alabama, it's hard to say that the 2025 campaign wasn’t a success for the Sooners. Brent Venables' defense was elite, and John Mateer showed flashes of brilliance, especially before his injury. They need to take steps forward on offense and have enough pieces back from last year's defense to be a problem if things come together in 2026.
Offense: Before John Mateer injured his thumb, he was briefly the darling for the Heisman Trophy. Those hopes faded as he struggled post-surgery, but he still racked up a few big wins down the final stretch that helped get the Sooners to the playoffs. The line was young and should be better, which is paramount for a rushing attack that averaged a mere 3.5 yards per carry in 2025. Mateer has his favorite target back in slot receiver Isaiah Sategna III and a talented group around him, so if he has fully recovered from his injury, the passing game could take major strides.
2025 RESULTS: 10-3, 6-2 SEC 2026 PROJECTION: 9-3, 6-3 SEC
OKLAHOMA SOONERS 2026 SCHEDULE 9.5
UTEP
9.12
@ MICHIGAN
9.19
NEW MEXICO
9.26
@ GEORGIA
10.3
OPEN DATE
10.10
VS. TEXAS (DALLAS)
10.17
KENTUCKY
10.24
@ MISSISSIPPI STATE
10.31
SOUTH CAROLINA
11.7
@ FLORIDA
11.14
OLE MISS
11.21
TEXAS A&M
11.28
@ MISSOURI
Defense: A few key pieces are gone but Taylor Wein and Kip Lewis, who led the team in sacks and tackles respectively, are back along with a secondary anchored by the Bowen brothers (Eli & Peyton) that will need some younger players to step up around them. This version of the Sooners defense won’t be quite as deep, but if some younger players step up, and Venables certainly has the track record of accelerating young talent, they could be almost as stingy as the 2025 unit.
Special Teams: The kicking game is in good hands...or feet, with AllAmerican Tate Sandell returning at placekicker and punter Grayson Miller back after averaging 45.8 yards a kick in 2025.
Final Thoughts: If Mateer returns to his pre surgery form and the offensive line play improves, this Sooners offense could make a big leap in production. If that happens, the defense doesn’t have to be as good as last year to make another playoff run in 2026. Games at Michigan, Florida and Georgia along with a tough home slate could make a good team’s record look pedestrian, but don’t be surprised if the Sooners make another run.
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John Mateer
Brent Venables
Text: Grayson Atkins
Overview: It seems as if Ole Miss blocked off all the noise. They didn’t let Lane’s dramatic departure get to them, beating the Dawgs before moving onto the semifinals in their magical and unforeseen playoff run. Now, with a full offseason under Pete Golding and bringing in a hefty number of pieces through the portal and returning production, the Rebels are going to be a force in the SEC again.
Trinidad Chambliss
Offense:
Kewan Lacy
Pete Golding
2025 RECORD: 13-2, 7-1 SEC 2026 PREDICTION: 10-2, 7-2 SEC
OLE MISS REBELS 2026 SCHEDULE 9.5 OR 6
VS. LOUISVILLE (NASHVILLE)
9.12
CHARLOTTE
9.19
LSU
9.26
@ FLORIDA
10.3
OPEN DATE
10.10
@ VANDERBILT
10.17
MISSOURI
10.24
@ TEXAS
10.31
AUBURN
11.7
GEORGIA
11.14
@ OKLAHOMA
11.21
WOFFORD
11.28
MISSISSIPPI STATE
John David Baker leads this group, continuing the norm of fast paced offense in Oxford. Trinidad Chambliss has my Heisman vote; nothing short and nothing less. Kewan Lacy could also be in that running, and they will be terrorizing every defensive unit they go against. In the receiving core, Deuce Alexander, Johntay Cook, Caleb Cunningham, and Horatio Fields are formidable threats out wide. Center Brycen Sanders and guards Patrick Kutas and Delano Townsend provide key stability on the interior offensive line. Luke Hasz and Caleb Odom are some reliable tight ends. This is one of the best offenses in America; expect a lot of points and some guys to be in New York.
Defense: The defense is underappreciated as well. The big three of Kam Franklin, Will Echoles, and Suntarine Perkins on the defensive line will surely wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines in the fall. Luke Ferrelli and Keaton Thomas are the main two linebackers, and in the secondary, Jay Crawford, Antonio Kite, Edwin Joseph, and Joenel Aguero are all going to be solid, experienced pieces for Bryan Brown and his defense. If they can stay healthy, this could be one of the better defenses in the SEC with all of the talent that they have.
Special Teams: Oscar Bird will kick, and Lucas Carneiro will kick after a monster playoff run. Izaiah Hartrup will return both kicks and punts.
Final Thoughts: This team should make the playoffs. Who knows, maybe they will have another run in Las Vegas. The expectations are high, and while I think they drop to Georgia and Texas, there is still plenty of potential and they will surely have all the tricks up their sleeve.
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2025 RESULTS: 4-8, 1-7 SEC 2026 PROJECTION: 6-6, 3-6 SEC
SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS 2026 SCHEDULE 9.5
KENT STATE
9.12
TOWNSON
9.19
MISSISSIPPI STATE
9.26
@ ALABAMA
10.3
KENTUCKY
10.10
@ FLORIDA
10.17
OPEN DATE
10.24
TENNESSEE
10.31
@ OKLAHOMA
11.7
TEXAS A&M
11.14
@ ARKANSAS
11.21
GEORGIA
11.28
@ CLEMSON
Text: Ian Griffin
Shane Beamer
Overview: After having a legitimate argument to be in the first expanded playoff two years ago, The Gamecocks crashed and burned in 2025. Even a plethora of playmakers, led by quarterback Lanoris Sellers, couldn’t overcome an offensive line that couldn’t block itself out of kindergarten. Injuries and attrition haven’t made the situation much better, but a new offensive coordintor leaves hope for improvement.
Offense: Mike Shula is out, Kendal Briles is in. Briles will look to play to Seller's strengths and get him on the move. He has plenty of weapons at receiver, but the even in an offense that will utilize Sellers legs, the line will have to sustain blocks if guys like Nitro Tuggle, Nyck Harbor and Jayden Sellers are going
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to get open. The piece-meal line that is projected to take the field makes that hope a distant reality, but there’s always a chance they exceed expectations.
Defense: The 2025 defense also suffered a severe drop off from the 2024 unit, and several of the leaders from that defense have moved on to the NFL or graduated, so things could get worse before they get better. Julian Walker was a huge get at the edge, however, providing a glimmer of hope. If Dylan Stewart can get healthy, those two could give offenses problems. The secondary is still young, but brings back some experience, but if the Gamecocks don’t get better at the line of scrimmage, it will be a long season at the second level. Pair that with an offense that may struggle to sustain drives, and it could be a long season in Columbia.
Special Teams: Beamer thrives on special teams, but even that phase of the game was unremarkable in 2025. His punter, Mason Love returns, and Max Kelley looks to take over the placekicking duties.
Final Thoughts: It can be really difficult to watch a talent like Sellers go to waste, and that may be the case for the Gamecocks signal caller. He proved he can’t put them on his back when he is lying on it, but South Carolina can be a perplexing program to follow. Sometimes you count them out and they surprise you. For Gamecock fans, I hope that’s the case.
Text: Ian Griffin
Overview: The Vols failed to make back-to-back playoff appearances last year mainly because they couldn’t beat the big boys, but outside of the Vanderbilt and Alabama games, they pushed those other playoff teams to the brink. The offense will have to reset with a new signal caller, the receivers are young, and the defense has something to prove after a lackluster 2025 campaign. Couple that with a pretty tough schedule and it’s wait and see for the Vols.
Offense: Joey Aguilar is gone after scorching defenses last year. The battle is between George MacIntyre and Ryan Staub, with neither boasting a tone of experience, so to say the position is unknown would be accurate. Faizon Brandon waits in the wings and if those two struggle, don’t be surprised if Heupel turns him loose ahead of schedule. Braylon Staley will be a reliable target amongst an otherwise young group of receivers and leading rusher, DeSean Bishop returns to lead the backfield. The offensive line returns experience at all five positions and should be steady. This offense will go as far as their new signal caller, whoever that is can take them.
George MacIntyre
Defense: Last year’s defensive coordinator, Tim Banks is out of a job, and Vols fans are hoping Jim Knowles can bring the success he had at College Station to Knoxville. He brought a few of his guys with him when he made the move, led by edge Chaz Coleman. The linebacker corps is laden with experience and talent, while a secondary that was riddled with injuries in 2025 should benefit from the experience that provided.
Special Teams: Special teams should be special in Knoxville this season. Cooper Ranvier brings his All-ACC talents from Louisville at placekicker, while Jackson Ross and Jaokim Dodson return at punter and returner respectively.
Final Thoughts: A new quarterback in a system that relies on great quarterback play is always a roll of the dice. That’s the situation for Tennessee in 2026. The defense has to be better and could be, but if the offense can’t get going, it won’t matter. Throw in a brutal schedule, and it makes a winning season the ceiling if one of these young gunslingers doesn’t step up quickly.
Josh Heupel
2025 RESULTS: 8-5, 4-4 SEC 2026 PROJECTION: 7-5, 5-4 SEC
TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS 2026 SCHEDULE 9.5
FURMAN
9.12
@ GEORGIA TECH
9.19
KENNESAW STATE
9.26
TEXAS
10.3
AUBURN
10.10
@ ARKANSAS
10.17
ALABAMA
10.24
@ SOUTH CAROLINA
10.31
OPEN DATE
11.7
KENTUCKY
11.14
@ TEXAS A&M
11.21
LSU
11.28
@ VANDERBILT
Arion Carter
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27
Text: Grayson Atkins
Overview: After a roller coaster of a year, Texas should be back to saying horns up. They heated up at the end of last year other than getting boat raced by Georgia, but it was too late. Sark has gone out and gotten all the pieces for a redemption tour, and I could see the Longhorns going undefeated in conference play, even if they have a gauntlet of a schedule.
Offense: You want to talk about loaded? Check out these skill positions. Hollywood Smothers, Raleek Brown, and Derrek Cooper all tote the rock. At receiver, Emmett Mosley, Ryan Wingo, and Auburn transfer Cam Coleman. Of course, you can’t leave out Manning madness. That offense alone could carry them to Atlanta. In the trenches, Trevor Goosby and Melvin Siani are some real deal NFL talent at tackle. Watch out for Connor Robertson and Brandon Baker inside as well. Emaree Winston, a Calhoun guy, is set for his sophomore season. After some tough sledding last year from this unit, fully expect this lineup to be more balanced, and an even bigger threat.
Defense:
2025 RECORD: 10-3, 6-2 SEC 2026 PREDICTIONS: 11-1, 9-0 SEC
TEXAS LONGHORNS 2026 SCHEDULE 9.5
TEXAS STATE
9.12
OHIO STATE
9.19
UTSA
9.26
@ TENNESSEE
10.3
OPEN DATE
10.10
VS. OKLAHOMA (DALLAS, TX)
10.17
FLORIDA
10.24
OLE MISS
10.31
MISSISSIPPI STATE
11.7
@ MISSOURI
11.14
@ LSU
11.21
ARKANSAS
11.28
@ TEXAS A&M
Will Muschamp has a group that is hungry and full of talent. For starters, Colin Simmons, potential #1 pick, will be a game wrecker and set to have another monster season. Hero Kanu, Ian Geffrard, and Alex January all have some strength upfront. Rasheem Biles could have a Butkus type year after transferring from Pitt. Jelani McDonald stands out in the secondary and has Kade Phillips and Graceson Littleton back there to help him. With Muschamp calling the defense now, Sark wasn’t playing around going and getting him. The Longhorns defense will be back to being one of the top units in America.
Special Teams: Texas hit the portal hard for this group. Mac Chiumento will punt, and Gianni Spetic will kick. At punter, Ryan Niblett should have yet another All-American season at punt returner, and Hollywood Smothers will be returning kicks.
Ryan Wingo
Final Thoughts: I am high on this group. They have a rough schedule, but I think they have what it takes to go undefeated in the conference, other than a loss to Ohio State. I really hope that this doesn’t come back to bite me, since I was wrong last year. However, this is a much-improved unit everywhere, so hopefully my expectations are correct.
Colin Simmons
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Hero Kanu
Arch Manning
Text: Grayson Atkins
Overview:
L-R: Cashius Howell, Marcus Ratcliffe, Daymion Sanford
Mike Elko has it rolling in College Station. The recruiting trail is on a heater, and he took them to the playoffs last year. This year, the SEC gets a whole lot harder for the Aggies, and there could be a few more losses on the schedule.
Offense:
Marcel Reed
Mike Elko
2025 RESULTS: 11-2, 7-1 SEC 2026 PREDICTIONS: 10-2, 7-2 SEC
TEXAS A&M 2026 SCHEDULE 9.5
MISOURI STATE
9.12
ARIZONA STATE
9.19
KENTUCKY
9.26
@ LSU
10.3
ARKANSAS
10.10
@ MISSOURI
10.17
CITADEL
10.24
@ ALABAMA
10.31
OPEN DATE
11.7
@ SOUTH CAROLINA
11.14
TENNESSEE
11.21
@ OKLAHOMA
11.28
TEXAS
(FRI.)
Marcel Reed looks to have a bounce back year after a disastrous two-game stretch against Texas and Miami. Reuben Owens and Jamarion Morrow are reliable options at RB, and blocking for them are transfers like Tyree Adams, Coen Echols, Trovon Baugh, and Wilkin Formby with Mark Nabough Jr. as the only returning Aggie. Micah Riley returns at tight end, and out wide are guys lik Mario Craver, Isaiah Horton, Terry Bussey, and Ashton BethelRoman. With a mix of Aggie and transfer talent and experience, this group should be one of the more consistent in the fall.
Defense: Once again, this is one of the nation's strongest units. DJ Hicks is the star of the defensive line, and the only guy from this defense to have preseason All-SEC honors. T.J. Searcy and Anto Saka have high potential at defensive end. Ray Coney is a key transfer, racking up 129 tackles last season at Tulsa, and in the linebacker core with him are Daymion Sanford and Noah Mikhail. The secondary is loaded, having key coverage guys like Dezz Ricks, Rickey Gibson III, Marcus Ratliffe, Dalton Brooks, and Tawfiq Byard. With elite depth, the Aggies have a deep room that should keep offenses from pushing them around.
Special Teams: Punting will be Tyler White, kicking David Olano, and returning both kicks and punts is Terry Bussey, who has been electric for the Aggies.
Final Thoughts: This group is primed for success this season. While I have them down for losses against Texas and LSU, I think they pull out a dub in every other game. The Aggies should be back in the playoffs and bound to accomplish more than a first round exit.
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2025 RESULTS: 10-3, 6-2 SEC 2026 PROJECTION: 7-5, 4-5 SEC
VANDERBILT COMMODORES
Predictions
2026 SCHEDULE
Georgia (9-0) Texas (9-0) Ole Miss (7-2) LSU (7-2) Texas A&M (7-2) Oklahoma (6-3) Alabama (6-3) Tennessee (5-4) Florida (5-4) South Carolina (4-5) Auburn (4-5) Missouri (3-6) Vanderbilt (2-7) Mississippi State (2-7) Kentucky (2-7) Arkansas (0-9)
9.5
AUSTIN PEAY
9.12
DELAWARE
9.19
NC STATE
9.26
@ AUBURN
10.3
@ GEORGIA
10.10
OLE MISS
10.17
ARKANSAS
10.24
@ KENTUCKY
10.31
OPEN DATE
11.7
@ MISSISSIPPI STATE
11.14
ALABAMA
11.21
@ FLORIDA
11.28
TENNESSEE
Grayson Atkins:
Championship: Georgia vs. Texas Winner: Georgia Bulldogs
Text: Ian Griffin Clark Lea
Ian Griffin:
Overview: The vibe in Nashville is new and improved. When Clark Lea took the podium at his introductory press conference and said Vandy would compete for championships, it was easy to chuckle or let it pass for coach-speak. Afterall, if you don’t believe you can get to the top, why take the job? While they haven’t gotten to the promised land yet, Diego Pavia and company made that possibility a lot more believable.
Offense: Pavia and all the swag that came with him are gone, but The Commodores pulled off one of the biggest recruiting coups in recent memory when they flipped blue-chip recruit Jared Curtis from Georgia. Curtis is expected to start as a true freshman. He has a ton of reliable targets to throw to, led by Junior Sherill, but 4 starters must be replaced on the offensive line and uncertainty up front, along with a greenhorn quarterback could be extremely challenging for the Dores.
Defense: Vanderbilt was solid against the run last year and that should ring true again in 2026, but the lack of pass rush was a problem that didn’t exactly seem 30
V3 MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026 | READV3.COM
to be solved in the offseason. The secondary will be bolstered by the arrival of Clemson transfer Ricardo Jones, who led the Tigers in 2025 with six interceptions. Couple that with the emergence of Jordan Matthews, Cayden Daniels and Martel Hight and what once was a weakness could be a strength.
Special Teams: Brock Taylor anchors the special teams, boasting a booming leg that can put three up from just about anywhere inside the 50, while Tyler Ebel will take over the punting duties.
Final Thoughts: If Curtis plays like a phenom out of the gates, the ceiling goes way up. There is time for him to get his sea legs with two cupcakes to start and then a home game against NC State, but after that the road gets tough. If the O-line exceeds expectations and Curtis plays out of his mind, Lea could shock us all and be in the hunt this season. The more likely outcome is Vandy taking a small step back this year, but lookout in 2027.
Georgia (9-0) Texas (8-1) Ole Miss (7-2) LSU (7-2) Texas A&M (7-2) Alabaman (6-3) Oklahoma (6-3) Florida (5-4) Tennessee (5-4) Vanderbilt (4-5) Missouri (3-6) Auburn (3-6) Kentucky (3-6) South Carolina (3-6) Mississippi State (1-8) Arkansas (0-9) SEC Championship Georgia vs. Texas Winner: Georgia Bulldogs
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Woodland Oasis The dream home for hosting family and friends or for reading till sunset, this month’s Hardy Home offers the perfect balance of privacy and community. 1225 Mt. Alto Rd. feels like a private oasis, even though it's just minutes from Downtown Rome. Whatever your idea of relaxation is, it can be found at 1225 Mount Alto Rd.
text LAUREN BACHMAN | photos EMB SOLUTIONS CO.
T
he first word that comes to mind at 1225 Mt. Alto Rd is serenity. For many, living in nature with the comforts of home is the idea of pure peace, and it’s exactly what’s to be found at this woodland oasis. Nestled in the sprawling forests of Mount Alto, this 5 bed, 3.5 bath home combines timeless architecture with natural beauty. “What really drew us to the house was the privacy,” says the current owner. “When you walk into the house, when you’re in the main living space, it feels like you’re in a tree house. There’s trees everywhere outside the windows; there is a lot of nature in our yard, which is appealing to us.” The classic stone exterior of the home blends with its natural surroundings to create the perfect sense of privacy before even entering. A wrap-around porch and screened-in porch offer cozy areas to enjoy the scenery year-round. Inside, the house opens on a beautiful living space including the sitting room, kitchen, and dining area. Built for everything from hosting to a cozy-day-in, this living space is the centerpiece of the home.
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From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Mount Alto forest with easy access to the porches for indoor and outdoor relaxation. It's easy to imagine life here, whether your days consist of hosting friends and family, reading by the light of the window, or making dinner with loved ones. The sitting room features beamed ceilings, several ceiling-height bookshelves, and a fireplace. Its warm hardwood floors lead into the accompanying dining room and kitchen, the former of which shares one of two chandeliers, along with one in the sitting room. The house has been lovingly renovated to bring out the best it has to offer. One of the spotlight rooms is the kitchen; some of the updates include quartz countertops, tile backsplash, custom cabinetry hardware/painted cabinetry, and more. This kitchen is the dream for any home chef, especially if they like cooking with company. It includes spacious countertops with room for bar-style seating on one side, along with plenty of cabinetry and drawer space. The appliances are top-of-the-line models from Thermador and KitchenAid. In the middle of the kitchen is an island with a built-in oven and stovetop, and around the corner is a walk-in pantry. Branching off this room is a hall leading to the master bed and bath and two upper sections of the home. The master bedroom overlooks the property and offers direct access to a personal veranda and the screened-in porch. Attached to it are a walk-in closet and the laundry room. It’s also accompanied by a stunning, “completely renovated, spa-inspired bath.” Along with the kitchen, the master bath has been entirely renovated, featuring a tile shower with
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glass walls, a soaking tub, quartz countertops, tile floors, a custom linen closet, and more. The house also includes an in-home office area on the main floor. The upstairs is divided into two separate areas featuring three bedrooms and a bathroom located in the hallway. These rooms are the perfect area for the kids to have space to themselves. The same goes for the other side of the upper level, which opens directly into a guest bedroom and bath. With the main floor being the ideal space for hosting events, these upper-level rooms offer the perfect sense of privacy for the homeowners, and any family or friends visiting. Whether you see yourself spending evenings by the firepit or watching sunsets from the porch, 1225 Mt. Alto Rd is the picture of serenity. “I would describe it as a quiet oasis,” says the current owner. “It’s a space that a family could enjoy for the long term.” 1225 Mt. Alto Rd is the dream home for anyone. Only minutes from Downtown Rome and surrounded by the beauty of the Mount Alto forest, being here feels like living in your own woodland oasis. For more information, visit Hardy Home’s listing: https://hardyrealty.com/listing/GA/Rome/1225Mount-Alto-Road-SW-30165/230167368
To schedule a viewing, contact Realtor Molly Steeves: Email: molly.steeves@hardyrealty.com Phone: (Cell) 706.506.4105 (Office) 706.291.4321
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PRIVATE DINING
CATERED EVENTS
Wishing every area team the best of luck on the gridiron this season!
Celebrating 30 years of serving Northwest Georgia 413 Broad Street, Rome, Ga 30161 • lascalaromega.com • 706.238.9000 • 706.238.9011 READV3.COM | AUGUST 2026 V3 MAGAZINE
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Rides
Games
Petting Zoo
Entertainment
Contests
Food
and More!
Memories Made Here The 77th Annual
Fun for every generation!
Oct 6-10 2026 Ticket & Info:
Sponsored by the Exchange Club of Rome Wade Shows Inc. rides
EXCHANGE EXCHANGE EXCHANGE EXCHANGE CLUB OF ROME, GA
CLUB OF ROME, GA EXCHANGE CLUB EXCHANGE OF ROME, GA
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