Current state of the SEC : The Final Countdown

Somehow, someway, we have only two weeks remaining in what has been one of the quickest seasons ever. We have seen teams go up and down throughout the entirety of the SEC week by week. As crazy as the SEC has been so far this season, I think the picture is getting a little bit clearer. That said, we are in for a wild ride until the playoffs begin. 

After week 6, I prematurely tried to predict how this conference would finish. I could never have thought this conference would start eating itself the way it has. I said it would be almost impossible for a 2 loss team to make it to Atlanta, now it is a great possibility we have two teams in the conference championship with two losses. Just a complete 180, with four teams legitimately still in the hunt for Atlanta. Yes I know there are still 6 teams with two conference losses or fewer, but according to the new tie breaker rules it would be near impossible for Ole Miss or Tennessee to make it. Leaving us with Alabama, Georgia, Texas, and Texas A&M. Let’s go over what each of these teams need to happen in these next two weeks. (This is just a discussion about the SEC championship race, nothing to do with the playoff picture).

Georgia -

The dogs are 1 of 2 teams that have wrapped up their SEC games with two weeks left. Georgia is sitting at 6-2 in conference play with big wins against Texas and Tennessee, but losses at the hands of Ole Miss and Alabama. Again, according to the new tie breaker rules, Georgia is on the fringe and is looking for some help. In order for them to make it to Atlanta, they simply need Alabama to lose one more game. The bad thing for them is the Tide finishes their season with Oklahoma and Auburn, not looking great for the Bulldogs. But weird things happen on rivalry weekend. For now, the Bulldogs are the least likely of the 4 to make the SEC championship.

Texas A&M -

Ahh my beloved Aggies. What a year it has been. And it all comes down to these last 2 games. You sure would be in an incredible spot had you taken care of business down in South Carolina. But you didn’t ! So now you absolutely have to win out while you are currently 5-1 in SEC play. The good thing is you should take care of Auburn this weekend (please God) and set yourself for a winner-gets-in match against Texas.  Bias aside, it is going to be a tall task taking down Texas. Although, I think there are a lot of variables at play that could be beneficial for the Aggies, but those will be discussed next week. With a road night game and a game against your rival in which you can’t lose either of them, I give the Aggies the 3rd best chance to make the SEC championship.

Texas -

The sips sit tied with the Aggies atop of the SEC with a conference record of 5-1. I’m not going to get that deep into their resume, as that doesn’t matter in terms of making the conference championship, but that will be discussed at a later day. After failing miserably at their only daunting task to date, losing to Georgia at home, Texas is now in a similar boat as Texas A&M and Alabama. Win and you’re in, lose and you’re out. Like A&M, Texas should easily take care of their business this weekend before the big showdown to end the year. Texas hasn’t been truly tested on the road this year, but they have shown to be a good enough team to handle it. Though it won't be easy. With that being said I have the sips with the 2nd best odds to make it to Atlanta.

Alabama -

What a weird season it has been for the tide. Probably the team with the most up and downs. Thankfully for them, though they have 2 losses, they have that early season win against Georgia in their back pocket. And most recently a dismantling of a win on the road in Death Valley which has had people quick to forget they even lost to Vandy. Bama seems to be hitting their stride at the right time. Though they have had help along the way, Bama now has the edge on almost every tie breaking rule. So unlike Georgia, they don’t need help from others anymore. They simply need to win out with their remaining games being against OU and Auburn. Two very manageable games for Bama to end their season. For that reason alone, I have Bama with the best chance to be 1 of the 2 teams playing for the conference championship. 

Prediction -

With two weeks remaining, there is still a lot that could happen. Could Alabama get upset in the always unpredictable Iron Bowl? Could Texas A&M really take down the longhorns? Hell, does absolute chaos happen and Ole Miss winds up in Atlanta? Who knows how this season could end. But as much as this pains me to say, as of this moment, I believe it will be the Tide vs the Longhorns in Atlanta. For now….

-AA/GC