SEC softball power rankings: Alabama takes over top spot after toppling Texas

Things are getting interesting in the SEC.

Alabama made a strong statement this past weekend. Tennessee and Texas might not be the superpowers we thought they were. And Oklahoma keeps rolling with its historically powerful offense.

The Longhorns and Sooners meet this week in Austin in what many have deemed the best rivalry in college softball and one of the most anticipated series of the season.

This list could look entirely different at this time next week. That’s life in the SEC.

Here are our SEC softball rankings:

Super 16 college softball rankings: NiJaree Canady, Texas Tech move take over at No. 1

1. Alabama

Record: 35-3, 9-3 SEC

Alabama was nearly the new No. 1 in our weekly Super 16 poll after back-to-back victories and a series win over Texas this past weekend. The series win marked the Crimson Tide’s first victory over a top-ranked team since 2020.

2. Oklahoma

Record: 38-3, 11-1

Oklahoma earned a first-place vote in Super 16 after completing a run-rule sweep of Kentucky. Kendall Wells tied the NCAA single season freshman home run record with her 30th of the season.

3. Texas

Record: 32-4, 9-3

Texas drops two spots after losing two games to Alabama on the road. The Longhorns host Oklahoma in what is perhaps the most anticipated series of the season.

4. Arkansas

Record: 33-5, 8-4

Arkansas swept Auburn this past weekend. The Razorbacks have now won six consecutive SEC home series dating back to last season.

5. Florida

Record: 36-5, 11-4

Florida took two of three from Mississippi State at home this past weekend. The Gators also defeated Stetson on the road last Wednesday when, during play, action was paused as players turned their attention skyward to witness the launch of Artemis II, NASA’s highly anticipated mission.

𝗣𝗢𝗩: 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝗜 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 🚀

📺: https://t.co/tskXiMwJkW#GoHatters | @espn | @stetsonsoftball | @stetsonupic.twitter.com/ODwVtVTYCD

— Stetson Hatters (@StetsonHatters) April 1, 2026

6. Tennessee

Record: 32-6, 9-6

Karlyn Pickens struck out five in 3 ⅔ innings last Saturday as Tennessee clinched a series victory over South Carolina. The Volunteers play five games this week.

7. Texas A&M

Record: 26-12, 8-4

Texas A&M is trending upward. The Aggies won a series against Georgia and were led by Sydney Lessentine, who tossed 11 2/3 frames while allowing only three runs.

8. Georgia

Record: 28-10, 7-5

Georgia came one run short of a series win over Texas A&M. The Bulldogs are close to being in the top half of the league and get an easier series at home against Missouri this weekend.

9. Mississippi State

Record: 33-9, 5-7

Mississippi State battled on the road against Florida last weekend, but fell in walk-off fashion in the rubber match. Alyssa Faircloth was impressive in relief Sunday, allowing just one hit with six strikeouts in 4 2/3 scoreless innings.

10. LSU

Record: 25-13, 6-9

LSU combined to score 25 runs during two wins over Missouri to open a three-game series, but its bats went cold in Game 3 as it failed to score a single run. The Tigers host a rare nonconference series against Arizona this weekend.

More: OU softball's pitching staff is peaking at right time entering Texas series

11. Ole Miss

Record: 25-15, 2-10

After a disappointing start to the season, Ole Miss has won five of its last six games. Two of those wins came on the road against Tennessee.

12. Auburn

Record: 23-16, 2-10

Auburn was swept by Arkansas last weekend. The Tigers’ schedule doesn’t get any easier with Alabama rolling into town this weekend.

13. Missouri

Record: 21-20, 5-7

It’s been a rough season for Missouri overall but starting pitcher Cierra Harrison threw seven shutout innings against LSU on Saturday.

14. South Carolina

Record: 17-10, 3-9

South Carolina was competitive at Tennessee this past weekend, taking one game and losing by a combined four runs in the other two. The Gamecocks’ schedule is brutal the rest of the way. 

15. Kentucky

Record: 22-19, 1-14

Kentucky finds itself at the bottom of these rankings after losing seven of its last eight games. The Wildcats’ only SEC win came at Auburn on March 6.

Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing adigital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: SEC softball power rankings: Alabama leaps over Texas into top spot