The College Football Playoff picture was reshaped after last Saturday, and no conference benefited more than the SEC. According to ESPN’s Heather Dinich, the league could send a record six teams to the expanded playoff, if the season ended today. Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M all appear in the current projection, proving the SEC’s dominance in 2025. Here's a mid-season breakdown for each conference team.
Alabama
After a rocky start to the season that included a season-opening loss to Florida State, Alabama has surged back into playoff contention. Kalen DeBoer's squad has rediscovered its identity behind a stingy defense and efficient quarterback play. The Crimson Tide’s return to form has reminded fans and voters alike that Alabama remains a perennial threat, even in a year that began with questions about the program’s direction.
Georgia
The Bulldogs' 5-1 record could easily be 6-0, with the missing perfection by a single play. The defending SEC champions have maintained their high standard under coach Kirby Smart. The Bulldogs have proven they can win on the road and continue to develop a young but talented roster. Their combination of balance and experience makes them a formidable opponent as they aim for another deep postseason run.
LSU
The Tigers are striving to reestablish their defensive reputation under coordinator Blake Baker, now in his second season in Baton Rouge. LSU’s offense remains explosive, but its playoff hopes hinge on whether the defense can consistently hold up against elite competition. The Tigers’ talent level alone keeps them in the conversation, and Baker’s unit continues to show improvement each week.
Oklahoma
The Sooners inclusion in the SEC hasn’t diminished its competitiveness. Despite a frustrating 23-6 loss to Texas, the Sooners remain a dangerous team with a defense ranked second nationally. Quarterback John Mateer’s return from injury should stabilize the offense, but questions persist about whether Oklahoma’s attack can match its defensive level. Brent Venables’ team will need offensive consistency to stay in the playoff mix.
Ole Miss
The Rebels are chasing history, looking to start 7-0 for the third time in six decades. Behind transfer quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss boasts one of the SEC’s most dynamic passing attacks. Chambliss has thrown for over 250 yards in each start, leading the conference in yards per completion. Lane Kiffin’s squad is confident and seeking its first top-10 win since the 1963 Sugar Bowl.
Texas A&M
Rounding out the SEC’s powerhouse lineup is Texas A&M, projected as the league champion and the No. 4 overall seed. The Aggies’ physical defense and explosive running game have positioned them as legitimate contenders for a first-round bye.
If these projections hold, the SEC could set a new standard in the playoff era proving once again that the road to a national championship still runs through the South.
The entire projected bracket after Week 7
According to ESPN’s projection, Indiana joins Ohio State, Miami, and Texas A&M as the current top four seeds — teams that would receive first-round byes if the playoff began today. Ohio State, the projected Big Ten champion, holds the No. 1 spot, followed by Miami from the ACC, Indiana at No. 3, and Texas A&M, the SEC’s top representative, at No. 4.
The first-round matchups scheduled for Dec. 19–20 on campus sites:
No. 12 South Florida (AAC Champ) at No. 5 Alabama
No. 11 LSU at No. 6 Ole Miss
No. 10 Oklahoma at No. 7 Georgia
No. 9 Texas Tech (Big 12 Champ) at No. 8 Oregon
The quarterfinals would then be played at the Cotton, Orange, Rose, and Sugar Bowls on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. With six weeks to go, this could mark the most dramatic shift yet in the 2025 playoff race.
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