Is the SEC Sabotaging its Own College Football Playoff Chances?
The SEC is full of elite teams that have proved their dominance year after year. But this season, the SEC might just find itself sidelined in the College Football Playoff (CFP) conversation, leaving the powerhouse conference with a harsh reality check. How did we get here? Did the SEC, in all its dominance, create a chaotic landscape that might leave its championship-caliber teams sitting at home during the most important games of the year?
The answer is a complicated mix of fierce internal competition, untimely upsets, and changes to the landscape of college football. Let’s break down why the SEC’s mightiest teams, the same ones that typically rule the football field, could be shut out of the CFP in a season where everything seemed to be going their way, and where things are still wide open for an incredibly chaotic playoff picture.
The SEC Playoff Dilemma
It’s safe to say that the Southeastern Conference (SEC) is accustomed to being on top. After all, this is the conference that has, time and again, pushed out national champions. Teams like Alabama and Georgia have made it almost routine to secure their playoff spots and fight for national titles. But this year, it’s different. Teams such as Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee have faced more competition, tougher schedules, and oh, the chaos that is college football.
What’s shaping up this season is the possibility that the SEC – yes, the beloved heavyweight – might only score one spot in the playoffs. Imagine this: an SEC team just missing out on the postseason glory after grinding through an incredibly difficult schedule, only for other conferences to swoop in during the final CFP discussions. The SEC’s dominance could be working against them.
Georgia: The ‘Unstoppable’ Force with a Stumble?
Georgia, sitting at the top of most power rankings and the AP Polls, seemed nearly invincible early in the season. Fans and analysts alike were convinced that the Bulldogs would walk through the regular season unscathed. Yet, college football loves to remind us that nothing is guaranteed.
Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs cruised past Tennessee (38-10) when they needed to step up. Talk about sending a message to the rest of the nation, yeah? But then came the clash against Alabama. Alabama, a consistent CFP candidate under Nick Saban, has not looked as dominant as in previous years. Nevertheless, the Crimson Tide managed to stay relevant with their gritty win against LSU.
If Georgia takes another stumble on the way to the SEC Championship Game or falters in their conference title match, it could leave them out of the playoff entirely. Is Georgia’s path to the CFP less sure than anyone originally thought?
Alabama: Living on the Edge?
Alabama has had some bumps along the way this season. A rare loss had Crimson Tide fans worried early on when Texas knocked them down and handed Saban just his fourth home loss at Alabama in over a decade. While the Tide have recovered since that 34-24 defeat, they’ve constantly found themselves in close, nail-biting games.
Even though they’re inching closer to the top, Alabama may not have full control of their destiny. If Georgia remains undefeated, they could knock Saban’s Tide out during the SEC Championship, toying with Alabama’s CFP hopes. But who will pay the price for that loss? Likely, both the Tide and Bulldogs might feel the pinch as other conferences send their undefeated or one-loss champions into the playoff discussion.
The CFP Picture: SEC at the Mercy of Other Powerhouses
This is where it gets chaotic – and fast.
So far, it seems like a given that the SEC would get one of its top dogs into the playoff. They never struggle with that, right? Well, it’s not that simple this season. The rankings and other conferences might spoil the SEC’s fun.
The Big Ten’s top-ranked teams, including Michigan and Ohio State, look incredibly strong. These two heavyweights have barely been challenged by anyone else in their conference, and they’re both eyeing the playoff with a level of hunger reminiscent of past Georgia or Alabama teams.
Then, you’ve got Florida State out of the ACC, still undefeated and sitting comfortably in the third spot of the College Football Playoff rankings. Barring any last-second slip-ups, it seems like they are looking at a playoff spot as well.
Couple that with the Pac-12 – yes, the Pac-12 – possibly sending Washington or Oregon to the playoffs and you begin to see how tight things get. At this point, the SEC can’t guarantee two spots, which is practically a disaster for them.
Whose Fault Is It If the SEC Falls Short?
Considering the projection above, it begs the question: does the SEC’s hyper-competitive nature hurt it this year?
It appears the SEC might be victims of their own success. Think about it. When top-tier programs are constantly going head-to-head, someone has to drop out. Even Alabama, Georgia, or LSU can’t remain undefeated forever when the competition is as stiff as it is, year after year.
But by the same token, it’s this same hyper-competitive schedule that sets SEC squads apart. The committee can’t ignore that Alabama has played a brutal schedule, nor will they overlook Georgia, if the only blemish on their record is a narrow loss to a fellow contender. Still, the CFP selection committee has shown in previous years that early-season losses matter, even if a team is peaking now. It’s a matter of timing, streaks, and just a dash of chaos.
SEC’s Best Hope: Handling Business in the SEC Championship
So what can the SEC do now to secure their playoff destiny? The answer might be simpler than it seems: win the SEC Championship.
- If Georgia finishes the season undefeated, they will have a guaranteed CFP spot, regardless of the outcome of the SEC Championship game.
- If Alabama wins the SEC title game, they’ll also make a strong case for a playoff push. After all, knocking off undefeated Georgia is no small feat.
- If Tennessee or LSU make unexpected moves, they could throw a wrench into the entire process, ensuring only one SEC team enters the playoff.
Ultimately, the SEC must take care of business. The rest of college football is waiting in the wings and ready to pounce. Multiple conferences boast championship-caliber teams this year, meaning someone will end up on the short end of the playoff stick. The SEC can’t afford another late-season upset, especially after the drama-filled few weeks we’ve already had.
The Verdict: It’s All Up for Grabs
In a year where nothing seems certain, not even dominant Georgia can breathe easy yet. Alabama is clinging to life, hoping for another shot at glory, while teams from around the country look to claim their spots in the CFP.
The question isn’t whether or not an SEC team will make the playoffs – at least one most certainly will – but will the conference get the second team in, like it often does? Betting on two SEC playoff teams had historically been a smart play, but this year the odds might be more stacked against that fall tradition.
While teams from Washington to Michigan rally for their playoff spots, one wrong step in a high-stakes rivalry game, or in the case of the SEC, the championship game, could mean missing out on another CFP run. Needless to say, things are only going to get more interesting from here.
The SEC’s Tough Lesson
If the SEC finds itself with only one CFP representative this season, it might need to take a hard look in the mirror. While its teams constantly battle each other for supremacy, it may have accidentally done more damage to its playoff prospects than it expected.
At the end of the day, college football fans across the country know one truth — chaos reigns supreme. And, right now, the SEC is in danger of being consumed by it.
Originally Written by: Paul Myerberg
