Texas’ 27–17 win over Texas A&M not only eliminated the Aggies from contention but also officially secured Georgia’s spot in the upcoming SEC Championship Game. Earlier in the day, Georgia wrapped up its regular season with a 16–9 victory over rival Georgia Tech, confirming its place in Atlanta.
This year’s SEC postseason picture is unusually dramatic. For the first time in several seasons, the championship game participants are being determined in Week 14 — a result of expanded conference membership, unbalanced schedules, and rising parity among top SEC programs. With multiple teams in contention and the new 12-team College Football Playoff format looming, CBS Sports projects as many as five SEC teams could make the playoff bracket. However, Alabama must win this weekend to protect its spot and control its destiny.
Ole Miss is also watching closely. The Rebels, now 11–1, need Alabama to lose to Auburn in order to have a path into the SEC Championship Game. At the same time, rumors surrounding coach Lane Kiffin’s potential move to LSU could become a distraction, making full focus critical for Ole Miss as it aims to stay inside the top eight for a CFP home game.
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SEC Tiebreaker Rules Explained
To determine which teams advance to the SEC Championship Game, the league uses the following tiebreaker steps in order:
- Head-to-head competition among tied teams
- Record against all common conference opponents
- Record versus highest-ranked common conference opponent, continuing through standings
- Cumulative conference winning percentage of all opponents
- Capped relative scoring margin (SportSource Analytics)
- Random draw, if previous steps fail to break a tie
If two teams remain tied for first place, both qualify, with additional tiebreakers determining seeding and home/away designation. The same rules apply for two-team ties for second place. In the event of a three-team tie, these tiebreakers are used in descending order until two teams emerge.
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Alabama’s Championship and Playoff Scenarios
Record: 9–2 overall, 6–1 SEC
- If Alabama beats Auburn:
- Alabama qualifies for the SEC Championship Game due to holding the tiebreaker in opponent winning percentage.
- If Alabama loses to Auburn:
- The Crimson Tide would likely miss both the SEC Championship Game and potentially the College Football Playoff, depending on the selection committee’s final ranking.
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Ole Miss’ One Remaining Path
Record: 11–1 overall, 7–1 SEC
- Ole Miss needs Alabama to lose to Auburn in order to gain entry into the SEC Championship Game.
- Without an Alabama loss, the Rebels stay behind the Tide due to tiebreakers.
- Ole Miss is still in strong playoff contention and currently positioned to compete for a home game in the College Football Playoff, as along as it remains within the top eight.
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What’s Next?
- Georgia: Clinched and preparing for SEC Championship Game.
- Alabama: Must win to stay alive in both SEC and playoff races.
- Ole Miss: Needs an Alabama loss and must maintain focus amid coaching rumors.
With Week 14 determining the final spots — and multiple SEC teams potentially headed to the College Football Playoff — this year marks one of the most competitive and strategically complex finishes in SEC history.