By: Cole Mantell (@Cole Mantell)
For the final time this season, it’s time to recap the conference. We’ve been together for eight long weeks, and the playoffs are finally here! For those who read regularly, thanks for following along. The SEC has been more than a rollercoaster this season, and now we have three SEC teams representing the conference in the playoffs. It’s notable as well that it isn’t four, so let’s get into it.
Three SEC Teams Make the Dance
We will start with the three teams that made the dance from the SEC. We’ve extensively covered these three teams, and they represent some of the best the CFSL has to offer. It starts with the #1 seed in the entire CFSL. Alabama has proved all of their doubters wrong and now has one more goal to reach. The Crimson Tide may be the most historically significant CFSL team without a National Championship, and now they have maybe their best chance ever to claim their first. Under AD David Ware, Alabama has been a model of consistency and one of the best teams in the league. With their 8-0 record, their experience in the coaching ranks, and so much talent, this feels like Alabama’s playoff run to lose. However, in their way are some great teams, including fellow SEC rivals.
Auburn was given the #9 seed, meaning that in the Playoff Draft, they were the team the ADs wanted to play least of the 8 remaining teams. Colorado had no choice in who they’ll play, and now Auburn vs Colorado might be my pick for one of the better games in the first round to watch. Of course, with how the bracket shook out, if both Alabama and Auburn win, we will get a rematch of the Iron Bowl in Tuscaloosa, potentially for Alabama’s 100th win as a school. Talk about history. Auburn is coming off a tough Iron Bowl loss, and now their path to revenge (and glory) is all laid out for the Tigers.
Florida was the SEC’s 2nd place team. It’s been a breakout season for the Gators under AD Adam Smith. QB Jack Schmidt has been one of the very best QBs in the country this season. The offense has been excellent behind him, leading Florida to big wins and great numbers. They are a threat to make a run and will have an in-state rival to face in Round 1. Miami vs Florida will be another awesome game to watch in Round 1 and is a repeat of a playoff matchup last season. Miami beat Florida last season in the playoffs, so the Gators will look for revenge this season. If they do win, they might get USC in Round 2. Talk about a challenge and a half for the upstart Gators.
Three SEC Teams Left Out
If 16 teams make the playoffs, that means we must have 8 teams that are left out. That includes three teams from the SEC this season. It’s a bit of an anomaly as well. For so long, it felt like a lock in the 16-team playoff system that the SEC would have at least four teams represented. Many times they would be a threat to even have five times in the playoffs. But this season, the voters said no to any extra SEC representatives.
The story is simple for Kentucky. Unfortunately, it was a rebuilding year for a new AD and a team in transition. Once the powerhouse of the league, this season served as a wake-up call that the old ways of the Wildcats won’t work anymore. Georgia had 2 wins this season, but it wasn’t enough to even get on the ballot. Some close losses, specifically to playoff teams in Auburn and Michigan State, were probably the difference in the race for the Bulldogs.
That leaves Tennessee. I’ve said it many times before in this column, but the fight Tennessee showed this season is a great story for the league and the fans of the Volunteers. After so many seasons of losing, there was some real progress in Knoxville this season. Still, Tennessee ended the season 3-5. That includes finishing the season 1-5. They got a conference win over Kentucky, but there is still a lot of work to be done. At the end of the day, the voters just weren’t convinced Tennessee deserved to be among the final 16. Instead, Tennessee finishes their season once again on the outside looking in. But if I had to guess, that might not be this way for long.
Who In the SEC Stood Out This Season?
We talked a bit about this topic last week. But, for the final time, I’ll highlight some players. Especially since with Tennessee, Georgia, and Kentucky out of the playoffs, this might be the final time I get to talk about some of these players.
We’ve already talked about Jack Schmidt. Maybe still a bit underrated, Alabama QB Johnny Ray Davis led the SEC in touchdowns thrown, and now leads the undefeated Alabama Crimson Tide into their next quest for playoff glory. Despite a tough season overall, Kentucky QB TJ Cunnington finishes his junior season leading the CFSL in passing yards by almost 400 yards. He’ll bounce back too.
Alabama HB CryZen Mai leads the SEC in rushing and has been another great breakout story for the undefeated Crimson Tide. Tennessee HB Kelby Fulton might win Freshman of the Year, leading all freshmen and being 3rd overall in the CFSL rushing race. In receiving, it’s two SEC guys leading the league in receiving yards. That’s Kentucky WR Ricky Rak and Tennessee WR Ace Shepard. For Shepard, it’s his final season in the CFSL, and he ends it a Tennessee legend and easy All-American candidate.
On defense, your SEC regular season leader in tackles is Kentucky FS Jarred Kline. Florida DE Joe Wayne leads the SEC with 7 sacks and might be an underrated pick for best defensive SEC freshman this season. Right behind him are two leaders of the Auburn defense in DTs Alexis Storm and Cody Higdon. All three will get more chances to shine in the playoffs. Another player to watch is Tennessee DT Brock Vanderslice, one of just four CFSL players this season with multiple forced fumbles. Of course, we mentioned the biggest star maybe in the entire SEC this season last week. Alabama CB Roman Ware has been fantastic this season and ends the regular season tied for the interception lead in the CFSL.
The future of the SEC is bright, with multiple young stars breaking out for many teams this season. This won’t be the last time we talk about many of these guys, and with player movement, maybe some more stars come into the SEC this offseason.
SEC Results Week 8
Alabama beats Auburn, 56-17
Florida beats Georgia, 31-13
Tennessee beats Kentucky, 48-24
SEC Schedule Playoffs Round 1
Monday, March 3
#10 Miami vs #7 Florida (6:30 PM, Twitch)
#9 Auburn vs #8 Colorado (8:30 PM, Twitch)
Wednesday, March 5
#16 Clemson vs #1 Alabama (8:30 PM, Twitch)
Potential SEC Game of the Week
It was a tough choice this week. Both Monday night games could be the choice. But the in-state rivalries in the playoffs last season were fantastic. Miami and Florida get a rematch in Round 1 this season. Florida lost in the playoffs last season to Miami. They’ll get their rematch in Round 1 and chose Miami specifically in part to show how far they have come as a team in just one season. For either team, winning won’t stop the tough road. As we talked about, the winner of this game either gets Ohio State or reigning National Champion USC, depending on the results of that game.
And for the final time, that is the goings-on in the SEC this week. Thanks for reading this season, and we’ll see you next season!
