SEC lands five top-10 teams in CFP projection

ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura projects five SEC teams in the College Football Playoff committee’s top 10, led by Georgia at No. 1, when the second ranking of the season is released Tuesday night.

Georgia moved to 8-1 with a convincing win at Ole Miss, while previously top-ranked Miami lost at Notre Dame. The Bulldogs’ Oct. 10 victory at Alabama also gained weight after the Crimson Tide won soundly at LSU, though Georgia’s Oct. 17 home loss to unranked Auburn remains a weakness in its résumé.

Georgia holds the SEC’s best chance to reach the conference championship game, according to the projection. A conference title would secure a playoff place, while reaching Atlanta and losing would still leave the Bulldogs with a strong at-large case. Missouri and South Carolina, both CFP Top 25 opponents in the source projection, remain on Georgia’s schedule.

Alabama rises to No. 3 after its road win at Tiger Stadium. The Tide would hold a first-round bye at that position and has three games left against unranked opponents, including FCS member Chattanooga. The Nov. 28 Iron Bowl against Auburn is listed as Alabama’s toughest remaining game.

Texas checks in at No. 4 after winning at Missouri. That was the Longhorns’ fourth victory against a CFP Top 25 opponent and second ranked SEC road win. Bonagura projects that Texas could remain in the field with a third loss because of its top-10 remaining schedule, even without an SEC Championship Game appearance.

Tennessee is projected at No. 9 following a 34-6 win over Kentucky and earlier victory against Alabama. Kentucky has lost to Alabama and Tennessee. Wins over South Carolina and LSU keep the Wildcats in the field at No. 10.

The projected bracket gives first-round byes to Georgia, Alabama and Texas. Tennessee would visit UCLA, while Kentucky would play at Indiana. Georgia’s quarterfinal opponent would come from Tennessee-UCLA, the Kentucky-Indiana winner would meet Utah.

Why it matters

The projection places three SEC teams in first-round bye positions and two more in first-round games. Georgia also holds the conference’s best projected route to the SEC Championship Game.

What to watch next

The committee’s second ranking will be released Tuesday night. Texas visits LSU on Nov. 14, followed by Georgia’s games against Missouri and South Carolina.