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SEC Bowl projections following Week 12: Will Tennessee and Ole Miss make the CFP?
By Ethan Stone
Published:
We’re down to just 2 weeks remaining in the 2024 college football regular season.
A lot has changed in the CFP projections following Week 12 thanks to last Saturday’s events. As far as the Playoff is concerned, there are 2 very important results to keep an eye on moving forward: Georgia over Tennessee and Kansas over BYU.
Tennessee gave Georgia a great fight in the first half and completely fizzled away in the second half, leading to a fairly comfortable Bulldogs win, 31-17. Georgia now has wins over Texas, Tennessee and Clemson, meaning they are in fantastic position to snag a bid at the end of the regular season.
Things are different in Knoxville. The Vols are absolutely going to be sweating this one out, clinging to its elite win over Alabama – still one of the most impressive wins of the season. Tennessee needed some help, and they got it immediately after its loss on Saturday thanks to Jalon Daniels and Kansas.
I’ve had BYU in these projections for some time now, but deep down we all knew the Cougars would more than likely fumble their path to a Playoff bid as they just did against Kansas. Folks, BYU was practically handed a playoff spot on a silver platter – all they had to do was stay out of their own way. That, mixed with the fact that Colorado is playing great football right now, tells me a BYU loss to the Buffs is coming in the Big 12 Championship game. Either way, I’d be surprised to see more than 1 Big 12 team reach the Playoff.
Folks, it’s time to address Texas. Honestly, it’s way past time. The Longhorns do not have a win over a current CFP program. Their best win came at Michigan (currently 5-5) back in September. Carson Beck threw 3 interceptions and the Bulldogs still beat them by multiple touchdowns at their own place.
Texas A&M hasn’t exactly been impressive this season either, but the Aggies get homefield advantage in Week 14’s rivalry contest. That points to a Texas loss for me, y’all. Don’t like it, Texas fans? Let’s see the Longhorns go out and earn their spot against the Aggies like Tennessee, Ole Miss, Alabama and Georgia already have against top 15 talent.
No new SEC programs clinched bowl eligibility this week, though one team took big steps towards the hunt for 6 wins: Florida. The Gators defeated LSU and can clinch eligibility at the end of the year with a win over a truly dismal Florida State squad, no APR required.
For that reason, I have them taking a big jump based on their brand alone – something that bowls certainly look for when choosing matchups. Say what you want to about Billy Napier, but the Gators reaching 6 wins with this schedule and that QB situation is impressive.
Texas A&M is now in the Citrus Bowl with Texas right behind in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Iowa. South Carolina, as hot as any team in college football right now, draws the Las Vegas Bowl against Arizona State.
Until next week, college football.
College Football Playoff
Sugar Bowl: Oregon vs. 8/9 winner
Rose Bowl: Alabama vs. 7/10 winner
Peach Bowl: Miami vs. 6/11 winner
Fiesta Bowl: Colorado vs. 5/12 winner
First Round
From Columbus, Ohio: No. 5 Ohio State vs. No. 12 Indiana
From Athens, Georgia: No. 6 Georgia vs. No. 11 Boise State
From South Bend, Indiana: No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 10 Tennessee
From Oxford, Mississippi: No. 8 Ole Miss vs. No. 9 Penn State
The Rest
Citrus Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Illinois
ReliaQuest Bowl: Texas vs. Iowa
Las Vegas Bowl: South Carolina vs. Arizona State
Texas Bowl: Arkansas vs. Texas Tech
Music City Bowl: Mizzou vs. Michigan
Gator Bowl: Florida vs. Louisville
Liberty Bowl: LSU vs. Kansas State
Birmingham Bowl: Vanderbilt vs. Cincinnati
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
