Georgia leads SEC as Kentucky’s path narrows

Georgia stands alone atop the SEC after a weekend that left Kentucky needing victories and outside help to reach the conference title game. The Bulldogs are 6-1 in conference play and 8-1 overall, one game ahead of Alabama and Kentucky in the SEC loss column.

Both Alabama and Kentucky have 5-2 league records and 7-2 overall records. Tennessee and Texas follow at 4-2 in the SEC and 7-2 overall, while Ole Miss and South Carolina are 4-3 in conference play and 6-3 overall.

LSU and Missouri are both 3-3 in the league and 6-3 overall. After beating Florida, Oklahoma has a 3-3 SEC record and a 5-4 overall record. Florida fell to 3-4 in the conference and 5-4 overall. Auburn is 3-4 and 5-4 overall, followed by Mississippi State at 2-5 and 4-5.

Texas A&M, Vanderbilt and Arkansas each have 1-5 SEC records, with the Aggies and Commodores at 4-5 overall and the Razorbacks at 3-6.

Kentucky’s loss in Knoxville made its route to Atlanta much more difficult. According to A Sea of Blue’s standings update, the Wildcats would lose a tiebreaker to either Alabama or Tennessee, which also have two conference losses.

Kentucky must beat Florida and Missouri, then get another conference loss from both Alabama and Tennessee. The Crimson Tide’s remaining schedule lists Vanderbilt, Chattanooga and Auburn. Tennessee’s more demanding closing stretch includes visits to Texas A&M and Vanderbilt, with a home game against LSU between them.

Why it matters

Georgia has sole possession of first place at 6-1 in SEC play. Kentucky remains in contention, but its path requires wins over Florida and Missouri plus help from both Alabama and Tennessee.

What to watch next

Kentucky hosts Florida and then visits Missouri, while Tennessee travels to Texas A&M and Alabama faces Vanderbilt.