College football is now well into the back half of the season and the College Football Playoff picture is starting to take form. With no clear favorite this season and a constantly changing top 10, uncertainty looms across the power four conferences, especially the SEC.
- Georgia
Georgia once again sits atop the SEC after pulling off a late surge of offense against the Florida Gators to secure the win this past weekend. With four games left and two coming against top-25 opponents, the Bulldogs have a gauntlet the next couple of weeks.
2. Texas
Texas has taken a slide in the rankings the past couple of weeks, dropping to No. 6 after squeaking out a three point win against Vanderbilt. After this past bye week, Texas jumped back up to No. 5 and has had time to rest and evaluate its performance from the last few weeks. With four games left, including a final game against No. 15 Texas A&M, Texas will need to win out for any hopes at a playoff spot.
3. Tennessee
Tennessee remained stagnant at No. 7 after a ten point win this past week against Kentucky, a surprising SEC contender this season. Now, after a few weeks back in the top 10, Tennessee hopes to stay there and with a high level matchup coming against Georgia in two weeks.
4. Alabama
It’s safe to say this season has not been a typical one for Alabama fans, a group that now has to share the dreadful feeling of uncertainty that the rest of college football fans feel going into games. While they have had an up and down season, the Tide are coming off a dominant 34-0 win over Missouri two weeks ago and a bye week, and have moved up to No. 11 in the AP poll.
5. LSU
Yet another SEC team coming off a bye week, the Tigers recently allowed a major comeback from the Texas A&M Aggies that resulted in a 38-23 loss in the rankings to No. 16. After their bye, the Tigers have moved up to No. 14. They now have one of their biggest tests when facing rival No. 11 Alabama this Saturday in a top-25 matchup.
6. Texas A&M
Coming off their biggest win of the year against LSU two weeks ago, A&M entered its last game against South Carolina with high expectations and an undefeated SEC record. After falling to the Gamecocks, the Aggies have dropped five spots to No. 15.
7. Ole Miss
Jaxson Dart’s offensive capabilities continue to impress, becoming the second player in SEC history to pass for 500 yards and six touchdowns. Despite an impressive offense, Ole Miss has yet to defeat a ranked opponent this season and the team’s next matchup comes against No. 2 Georgia.
8. Vanderbilt
In many ways Vanderbilt has been the SEC’s most impressive team this season. A program that has struggled for a long time not only finds itself ranked at No. 24, but has been able to pull out big wins against big teams. In their three losses, the Commodores have not lost by more than four points. Now, the Commodores are bowl eligible for the first time since 2018.
