By Cole Mantell (@LightningDragon)
Ryan Moreland called the SEC “the most decided conference” in the CFSL this week in his playoff previews. That might be true, but the conference still has plenty of drama left to give. We have two teams vying for SEC supremacy, and a playoff race heating up down the standings. Let’s get into it!
Alabama First SEC Team to Clinch
The Crimson Tide have had maybe one of their best seasons in team history. They remain, after a 41-13 win over Georgia, the CFSL’s lone remaining undefeated team. They have a point differential of +133. The only other team entering week 7 with a point differential of at least +100 is UNC at +101.
With that win over Georgia, Alabama has made it official. They become one of the first teams in the CFSL to officially clinch a playoff spot. Alabama will return to the playoffs to finish unfinished business. All-time, the team has a playoff record of 8-13, not including a title in the old PX1 Invitational Tournament. If Alabama beats Florida this week, and Auburn loses, they’ll win their 4th SEC Conference Title, and first since Season 18.
It hasn’t been a revolution of any kind compared to last season in Tuscaloosa. It has just been a growth of what AD David Ware knows his team to be. With Auburn stumbling earlier in the season, only Florida remains the real roadblock to a truly special season for the Crimson Tide. Of course, there is still work to do. Two of their toughest opponents will close out the season in Florida and Auburn. And both teams are highly motivated to take down the presumed kings of the SEC. Both games will be potential games of the year, not only for the conference but the entire CFSL.
Florida Becomes the SEC’s Rocky Balboa
While there are some other edge scenarios, Florida represents the last real team with a shot at the SEC title. Which makes Monday night all the more important. Florida, as I’ve discussed all season, is no stranger to these big games anymore. This is a veteran, well-coached, talented team. They are perfectly capable of upsetting Alabama and taking the SEC crown for themselves. While Alabama needs a win and Auburn loss to clinch the SEC this week, if Florida wins, they’ll win their first-ever SEC Conference Title.
For a team with as rich a history as Florida, it still shocks me they never won the SEC in the regular season. Yet, that could all change with one win Monday night. Grabbing the all-important one-seed in the playoffs would be so crucial for either team as well. Florida’s wins haven’t always been as pretty as Alabama’s. But they’ve played well enough to get to this point. And with the win over Auburn earlier this season, now Florida is in a position where all they have to do is win to make Gator history.
They will be heavy underdogs likely Monday night, even at home. Alabama has been a wide favorite in the Sportsbook all season. But for my money, from what I’ve watched this season, if I had to choose between Florida and Auburn as the more likely upset pick, I’m going with the Gators.
Who Slots in Behind the Crimson Tide and Gators?
We’ve talked about our two title contenders at length. So with three automatic spots open, who takes home that third spot? And who, if any, are voted into the playoffs outright?
If you want the full breakdown, Ryan Moreland posted a great preview this weekend. Auburn has the inside track for that 3rd automatic spot, no matter what happens. Assuming Auburn takes care of business the next two weeks, that means we have Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee vying for vote-in spots. On the surface, that is going to be a tough road for those three teams.
Tennessee may have the best case, being the only of the three teams with at least 2 wins. What an awesome story it would be if Tennessee made the playoffs after so many seasons of misery. So far, the knock against Tennessee is their 0-3 SEC record. So far, the only wins for Tennessee this season are against 1-win teams in Notre Dame and West Virginia in non-conference. However, the schedule gave Tennessee a favor to end the season. The Volunteers get Georgia at home, then Kentucky on the road to finish the season out. They win both, and they have my vote as the 4th SEC playoff team.
Georgia is in a similar spot, except with only 1 win so far. I’d argue they have to beat both Tennessee this week and Florida next week to earn a vote in the spot. They’re a good team, but it is rare for 3-5 teams to be playoff-bound. They’ll need some voting luck to go their way to make the dance this season, but if they can win out I can see a path forward for them.
For Kentucky, as crazy as it seems, the 0-6 Wildcats have a shot still. Kentucky has been maybe the most cursed team in CFSL history this season, losing so many one-score games. The upside to that is a resume that looks ok if they can string together a few wins. But the key here is that they must win. I can see a scenario in which a 2-6 Kentucky gets some love from the voters given their season. I can’t see that scenario if the Wildcats are 1-7 or 0-8. Win or die, Kentucky.
Players Who Stood Out This Week
Auburn HB Thomas Scally was back to his usual self, rushing for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns in the blowout win over Tennessee. On defense, Scally was assisted by OLB King DeMoura, who has 10 tackles and led his team to the win. DT Alexis Storm also had 3 sacks in the win. While it was an ugly loss for Tennessee, MLB Taye Allison, a 3-star recruit, had 10 tackles in the game. He leads the Volunteers in tackles, full stop.
In Alabama’s big win over Georgia, it was HB CryZen Mai and WR Kyle Claxon who led the way. Mai had another great performance, rushing for 157 yards on the ground. Claxon added 116 receiving yards on just 5 catches, including a touchdown. On defense, despite the ugly score, Georgia continues to have some great playmakers. MLB Jad McPherson had 9 tackles, 2 TFLs, and an interception returned for 24 yards. SS Nic Lee had 12 tackles and 2 TFLs as well.
In the closest SEC game of the week, it was Florida’s defense that stole the show in a 27-20 win over Kentucky. CB Shelly Menchaca had two interceptions in the win, including a 96-yard pick 6. That was in addition to special teams’ contributions as well. TE Ricky Lewis was good as well, catching a team-high 8 receptions in the win. For Kentucky, WR Harlan Hendrickson had 8 catches, going over 150 yards in the air. WR Ricky Rak, who we’ve also discussed previously in this series, had 126 receiving yards and a touchdown as well.
SEC Results Week 6
Auburn beats Tennessee, 45-17
Alabama beats Georgia, 41-13
Florida beats Kentucky, 27-20
SEC Schedule Week 7
Monday, February 17th
Alabama vs Florida (6:30 PM, Twitch)
Wednesday, February 19th
Kentucky vs Auburn (6:30 PM, YouTube)
Georgia vs Tennessee (8:30 PM, YouTube)
Potential SEC Game of the Week
This is an easy one. The first Monday night prime time showing for the SEC in a while. Alabama vs Florida will almost surely decide this conference. It’s appointment viewing for the entire league. Both teams have been awesome in their ways this season. Now we get to see the two titans of the SEC facing off. Will Alabama reclaim SEC supremacy? Or will upstart Florida complete the revolution of the SEC order? It’s a must-watch for any CFSL viewer, period.
