SEC teams climbing in College Football Playoff Top 12 projection

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Week 12’s College Football Playoff projection paints a clear picture of where the SEC stands as the stretch run begins.

Four SEC teams remain in ESPN’s projected Top 12 — Georgia, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and Alabama — with each positioned differently in the race to reach the expanded playoff.

The Aggies (10-0) sit highest at No. 3, followed by Georgia (9-1) at No. 4, Ole Miss (10-1) at No. 6, and Alabama (8-2) at No. 9.

The rankings show how deep the league remains, with three teams inside the top six and another still within reach despite early setbacks.

For the SEC, it signals a familiar storyline: multiple playoff-caliber contenders with intertwined fates in the final weeks.

Texas A&M’s perfect run keeping pressure on

Texas A&M continues to headline the SEC conversation after another dominant performance. The Aggies own one of the nation’s best résumés, combining an undefeated record with a non-conference win at Notre Dame.

Their strength-of-record rating ranks first nationally, while their strength of schedule sits in the top 15 — a balance that impressed committee observers.

According to ESPN’s projection, that résumé is enough to keep Texas A&M ahead of Georgia and Ole Miss for now. Former CFP chair Mack Rhoades said the committee views the Aggies as “checking every box you look for in a playoff team.”

Still, challenges remain. The Aggies close the regular season with two ranked opponents, giving them both an opportunity and a risk before conference championship week.

If they stay unbeaten through that stretch, Texas A&M would all but secure a spot in the 12-team playoff — and likely a top-four seed.

That would mark the program’s first playoff appearance and continue the SEC’s streak of representation since the format began.

Georgia steady in chase to return

Georgia’s lone loss to undefeated Texas A&M is no longer a setback; it’s part of what keeps both teams highly ranked.

The Bulldogs (9-1) are projected at No. 4, buoyed by a road win over Tennessee and one of the nation’s toughest schedules.

Their résumé sits at No. 5 nationally in strength-of-record, and the committee continues to reward their balance and depth.

The Bulldogs’ defense remains a defining factor, ranked among the top five nationally in most statistical categories.

With a strong close to the season and another trip to the SEC Championship Game still possible, Georgia remains one of the most stable playoff bets in the league.

Rhoades noted that the committee “respects how complete Georgia looks again — physical, disciplined and consistent.”

If the Bulldogs win out, they could easily climb back into the top three, keeping the SEC in position for multiple playoff entrants.

Ole Miss quietly maintaining momentum

Ole Miss stays right in the mix at No. 6 despite its only loss coming to Georgia. The Rebels’ 10-1 mark gives them a strong argument as the best one-loss team in the country.

ESPN’s projection described their résumé as steady and efficient, even if short on top-25 victories. Their offense remains one of the nation’s most balanced, helping them control games late.

Head coach Lane Kiffin’s group benefits from the quality of its lone defeat — something the committee often weighs heavily when comparing one-loss programs.

If the Rebels can win out, they’ll remain positioned for a possible at-large berth, especially if other contenders stumble during championship weekend.

Kiffin said earlier in November that his team “doesn’t talk about the playoff much,” but the Rebels’ steady climb suggests they won’t be able to avoid that conversation for long.

Alabama fighting uphill after early losses

The Crimson Tide are back in the Top 12 at No. 9 after a month of steady recovery. Though two losses keep them outside the top tier, the committee still respects Alabama’s improvement since midseason.

ESPN’s projection cited their four-game winning streak and solid road résumé — including victories in three hostile SEC environments — as proof that the Tide are still dangerous.

A narrow loss to Oklahoma earlier in the year remains the dividing line between playoff hope and elimination.

Still, Alabama’s path is not closed. A strong finish combined with chaos elsewhere could push them toward the back end of the 12-team field.

Their defense has tightened significantly since midseason, allowing just 14 points per game during their recent streak.

For head coach Nick Saban’s squad, the final two weeks will define whether the Tide extend their record for playoff appearances.

SEC outlook with two weeks left

If the season ended today, the SEC would likely place three teams — Texas A&M, Georgia and Ole Miss — inside the playoff bracket, with Alabama just outside.

That scenario underscores the league’s enduring influence, even amid new competition from the Big Ten and Big 12.

It also sets up a high-stakes final stretch where conference title results could reshuffle everything.

The Aggies appear safest, while Georgia and Ole Miss might still control their own fates depending on championship outcomes.

Alabama needs help but has re-entered the national conversation, making Week 13 and Week 14 crucial for its long-shot playoff hopes.

No conference has placed more than two teams in a single playoff field, but the SEC could test that limit under the new 12-team format.

With heavyweights clustered near the top, the league again finds itself steering the playoff debate down the stretch.

Key takeaways

• Texas A&M, Georgia, Ole Miss and Alabama all appear in ESPN’s projected Top 12 after Week 12.

• Texas A&M leads the SEC contingent as the nation’s last unbeaten Power Four team.

• Georgia and Ole Miss hold firm among one-loss contenders, while Alabama keeps faint playoff hopes alive.