If Alabama pulls off an upset against No. 1 Georgia in the upcoming SEC championship game, it could have significant implications for the College Football Playoff (CFP) selection. Alabama coach Nick Saban expressed his belief that the SEC deserves representation in the CFP, regardless of the game’s outcome. Saban emphasized the strength of the SEC, which has claimed four of the last nine national championships during the CFP era.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart, on the other hand, chose to focus on the game at hand and didn’t comment on the playoff scenario. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey echoed Saban’s sentiments, highlighting the rigorous conference schedule and the SEC’s success in the playoff.
The SEC’s concern lies in the possibility of a one-loss Alabama team competing with a one-loss Texas team, both of which are conference champions. The Longhorns hold an advantage in their head-to-head matchup with Alabama earlier in the season. Texas faces Oklahoma State in the Big 12 championship game, adding to the playoff intrigue.
Ultimately, the debate over playoff spots centers on the current rankings, with Alabama at No. 8 and Texas at No. 7. Ohio State, ranked No. 6, won’t play in a conference championship game, while other top-ranked teams like Washington and Oregon are set to face off in the Pac-12 championship game. The outcome of these games will play a crucial role in determining the CFP participants.