The new College Football Playoff rankings are in, giving the SEC five teams in this week’s projected field. This week of games was relatively standard, with a couple final scores jumping off the page. With just three games left for each team, the quest to make the CFP, or even a bowl game, heats up.
- Georgia (No change from last week)
Georgia effectively knocked Ole Miss out of the playoff with the Bulldogs 42-7 drubbing of the Rebels. Not only was this game never close, it was also on the road, in a night game with a hostile environment. Quarterback Gunner Stockton only threw for 9 completions and 106 yards, but 4 of them were touchdowns. It might be the most impressive college football win all season.
- Alabama (+2)
Alabama is back into the top two after taking down LSU 31-13 on the road. The score might not show it, but this game was much closer than Georgia’s win. The Crimson Tide were trailing towards the end of the third quarter, but 3 late touchdowns helped Alabama run away with it. The Crimson Tide now sit third in the CFP ranking, and shouldn’t lose another game in the regular season.
- Texas (+2)
Another win to stay afloat in the CFP race for Texas over Missouri. It was another game that was close going into the fourth, with running back Raleek Brown scoring twice in the final 15 minutes to put it away. Saturday’s game against LSU is the biggest remaining SEC game this season.
- Tennessee (+3)
This game was never close. The score at halftime in Tennessee’s win over Kentucky was 10-6, and the final score was 34-6. It was the biggest statement the Volunteers have made this season, and are now in the driver’s seat for the CFP.
- Kentucky (-3)
A massive setback for the Wildcats, getting blown out by Tennessee 34-6. Most of the problems were self inflicting wounds, turning the ball over an uncharacteristic 3 times in the loss. Kentucky likely can’t lose another game to make the CFP, but will make it if it can win out against Florida, Missouri and Louisville.
- Ole Miss (-3)
Ole Miss now sits at 19 in the CFP rankings after the blowout home loss to Georgia. The schedule is light the rest of the way, but the Rebels are sitting on the outside looking in, needing a lot of help to get in. Ole Miss was outgained 481-252 on home soil, and turned the ball over twice.
- LSU (-1)
LSU is also looking at the CFP from outside, but has two massive games against Texas and Tennessee on the schedule. If it can win both of those games, who knows what the committee will do with the Tigers. Games like Saturday’s loss just couldn’t happen, totaling nearly 200 more yards than Alabama, but losing by 18.
- South Carolina (+2)
The impressive final stretch for South Carolina continues. The committee has the Gamecocks at 17 in the CFP rankings, higher than both LSU and Ole Miss. They have Georgia at home Nov. 21, and if they want to sneak into a spot, they can not lose that game, or any other matchup.
- Missouri (-1)
Missouri needed to beat Texas, and take advantage of any of the ranked teams on its schedule, but haven’t been able to do so all season. The loss to Mississippi State looks worse by the day, although it is a much different program now compared to then. Georgia is up next with another chance to make waves in the college football world.
- Oklahoma (+3)
A controlling road win over Florida for Oklahoma. The defense showed up this week after giving up 42 to South Carolina, and the Sooners offense didn’t turn the ball over. Oklahoma now has consecutive home games against Ole Miss and Texas A&M with a chance to gain bowl eligibility.
- Auburn (-)
No change for Auburn after the 3-point win over Arkansas. The good news for the Tigers is that they just need one more win to gain bowl eligibility, with FCS Samford Nov. 21. The bad news is Alabama is the week after, and the Crimson Tide are red hot.
- Florida (-3)
It has been a tale of two seasons for Florida, who dropped another game, this time at home to Oklahoma. The Gators are 4-0 when unranked, and just 1-4 when in the top 25. This week, Florida is unranked with an opportunity to upset Kentucky on the road.
- Texas A&M (-1)
Texas A&M needs two more wins for a bowl game, with Tennessee and Texas both on the schedule. The Aggies will need to come up with a win in one of those games.
- Vanderbilt (+2)
The Commodores picked up an SEC win over Mississippi State, and moved out of the basement of the SEC. Vanderbilt had a scare with touchdowns for the Bulldogs within a minute of each other, but otherwise controlled the game.
- Mississippi State (-2)
Quarterback AJ Swann lost to his old school and Mississippi State lost its fifth straight game.
- Arkansas (-1)
Arkansas returns to the bottom of the rankings as the only SEC team that still has just three wins.
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