We are just passed the halfway point in the 2018 College Football season and The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is once again looking likely to send at least Alabama to the National Championship playoffs. This is how it is panning out so far:
SEC West
Alabama is currently ranked no 1 and at 7-0 are already Bowl eligible. At this stage, if you were being ultra picky you could say the Crimson Tide don’t have a marquee win on their resume and with Tennesee coming up tonight this is not going to change. At this stage their best win is over 5-2 Texas A&M, however, they have swept all in their way aside with some ease and that is really all they can do. Things get a little tougher from here out with a Trip to Baton Rouge to take on No 5 LSU and then a potentially tricky game against Miss State. After this its a cupcake game against Citadel before the Iron Bowl (a traditional meeting with Auburn). We expect them to finish 11-1 and at the very worst 10-2.
LSU is the only team with a realistic hope of ousting Alabama from the Conference Championship game and a win at home to the Tide on the 3rd November would make things interesting. They also have to play Miss State and Texas A&M so if they win out they will not only take the Conference championship place but would also be a top 4 ranked team (possibly no 1).
Technically and we do mean technically Mississippi State is still alive but would need to beat both Alabama & LSU and then win out. Possible but we wouldn’t bet on it. They should be heading for a nice Bowl game though as although they also still have Texas A&M and Ole Miss to play they should get at least 2 more wins.
Texas A&M, Auburn & Ole Miss should become Bowl eligible, while Arkansas might as well start planning now for next season.
SEC East
In the Eastern Division Kentucky, Florida & Georgia still have a shot at the Conference Championship and a playoff spot. It is still very much up in the air at this stage though with UK holding the head to head over Florida and Florida ahead of Georgia on the form line through LSU. If Kentucky (as we expect) takes care of Vanderbilt then the next 2 weeks will serve as eliminations games with Florida playing Georgia on 27th Oct and Kentucky playing Georgia on 3rd November.
For Kentucky is simple – win out and they are in. Same for Georgia.
Florida needs a bit of help – win out and hope Kentucky lose at least once more.
The next two weeks in this division are going to be fun.
Of the other teams in the division, Missouri & Tennessee have a chance to become eligible meaning the SEC could have 10 teams playing in Bowls this season; they sent 9 last year.
