SEC Championship Week: Texas Upsets A&M, Alabama Slides Into Title Game, Playoff Picture Shifts
AUSTIN, Texas - With the regular season in the books, the SEC Championship stage is set-and it's a familiar heavyweight clash: Georgia vs. Alabama.
But how we got here? That’s where things get interesting.
Texas A&M entered rivalry week riding high at 11-0, undefeated in SEC play, and seemingly destined for a shot at the conference crown. But the Lone Star Showdown flipped everything on its head.
The Aggies' 27-17 loss to Texas didn’t just sting-it knocked them out of the SEC title game entirely. That opened the door for Alabama to sneak into the championship slot, setting up a massive showdown with Georgia.
For the Longhorns, this was more than just bragging rights. This was a statement.
Texas didn’t just beat a top-three team-they earned what might be the most impressive win of the college football season. That’s now three victories over AP top-10 opponents for Steve Sarkisian’s squad, and they’re making a serious case for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Sarkisian didn’t hold back after the win, making it clear he believes his team belongs in the 12-team playoff field.
“I think we are absolutely a playoff team,” Sarkisian said.
And he’s got the numbers to back it up. Texas is the first team since the 2019 LSU juggernaut to knock off three top-10 teams in the regular season.
They’ve navigated one of the toughest schedules in the country-ranked No. 5 in strength of schedule-and their only loss came in a one-score game at Ohio State. That’s the same Buckeye team that’s steamrolled nearly everyone else on their schedule.
So now, Texas waits. If Alabama falls to Georgia in the SEC title game, the playoff committee will have a tough decision to make.
Alabama’s early-season loss to Florida State doesn’t help their case, especially with the Seminoles struggling down the stretch. Meanwhile, Texas has built a resume that’s hard to ignore.
SEC Power Rankings: Post-Rivalry Week Shake-Up
Here’s how the SEC stacks up heading into championship weekend, based on the latest internal poll:
- Georgia (10 first-place votes) - Up 1 The Bulldogs continue to look like the class of the conference, and they’ll get a chance to prove it again in Atlanta.
- Ole Miss - Up 1 Quietly consistent, the Rebels have climbed into the top tier with strong performances down the stretch.
- Texas A&M - Down 2
The loss to Texas was a gut punch. A&M goes from playoff hopeful to on the outside looking in.
- Alabama (1 first-place vote) - No Change The Crimson Tide are back in the SEC title game, but their playoff hopes may hinge on beating Georgia.
- Texas - Up 1 Riding high after their win over A&M, the Longhorns are making noise at just the right time.
- Oklahoma - Down 1 The Sooners fall a spot, but still remain in the upper half of the conference.
- Vanderbilt - Down 1 A tough season continues, and they slide a bit in the rankings.
- Missouri - Up 1 The Tigers have shown flashes and move up after a solid finish to the regular season.
- Tennessee - Down 1 The Vols struggled to find consistency late in the year.
- LSU - No Change Still dangerous, but inconsistent play has kept them from climbing higher.
- Auburn - Up 2 A late-season surge gives the Tigers some momentum heading into bowl season.
- Florida - Up 3 The Gators make the biggest jump of the week, showing signs of life after a rocky season.
- Kentucky - Down 2 A drop after failing to close strong.
- Mississippi State - Down 2 The Bulldogs continue to slide as the season wraps.
- South Carolina - Down 1 Another tough year in Columbia.
- Arkansas - No Change The Razorbacks close out a forgettable campaign.
(Parentheses indicate first-place votes. Plus/minus shows movement from the previous week.)
What’s Next
All eyes now turn to Atlanta, where Georgia and Alabama will battle for the SEC title on Saturday, Dec. 6.
The game kicks off at 4 p.m. ET on ABC, and it’s more than just a conference championship on the line-playoff dreams hang in the balance.
Georgia is looking to repeat as SEC champs and lock in a top seed. Alabama?
They need a win to keep their postseason hopes alive. And lurking in the background is Texas, waiting to see if their résumé is strong enough to earn a seat at the playoff table.
One thing’s for sure: the SEC never disappoints in December.