SEC Playoff Race: Four Teams Battling for Playoff Positions in Final Week

As the 2025 regular season enters its final week, the Southeastern Conference boasts four teams with legitimate playoff aspirations. From Texas A&M’s undefeated march to Oklahoma’s dramatic November resurgence, the SEC’s depth in November showcases why the conference remains college football’s most competitive.

The SEC Playoff Picture

Top SEC Teams (November 23):

#3 Texas A&M Aggies (11-0, 7-0 SEC)

The only undefeated team remaining in the country, Texas A&M appears poised for a first-round playoff bye with a win over Texas on November 28.

Status: First-Round Bye Likely Record: 11-0 overall, 7-0 SEC (perfect) AP Ranking: #3 Next Game: vs Texas (November 28, 6:30 p.m. CT, home) Playoff Outlook: All but guaranteed #3 seed or better in CFP

#4 Georgia Bulldogs (10-1, 7-1 SEC)

Ranked #4 in the College Football Playoff rankings, Georgia sits in a favorable position despite one conference loss. The Bulldogs’ defense and strength of schedule have earned committee respect.

Status: First-Round Bye Secure Record: 10-1 overall, 7-1 SEC AP Ranking: #4 Next Game: Season complete; awaiting playoff selection Playoff Outlook: Likely #4 seed; first-round bye secured

#8 Oklahoma Sooners (9-2, 5-2 SEC)

Oklahoma’s remarkable November—featuring an Alabama upset and three straight victories—has elevated them to legitimate playoff contender status despite two losses.

Status: Strong Playoff Position Record: 9-2 overall, 5-2 SEC AP Ranking: #8 Next Game: vs LSU (November 29, 2:30 p.m. CT, home) Playoff Outlook: Likely in at 10-2; signature Alabama win crucial

#17 Texas Longhorns (8-3, 5-2 SEC)

The most precarious position belongs to Texas, whose playoff hopes depend entirely on defeating undefeated Texas A&M followed by favorable results elsewhere.

Status: Bubble Team Record: 8-3 overall, 5-2 SEC AP Ranking: #17 Next Game: vs Texas A&M (November 28, 6:30 p.m. CT, away) Playoff Outlook: Must win; even then, likely needs two other results to fall right

Final Regular Season Games (November 28-29)

Game 1: Texas A&M vs Texas (November 28, 6:30 p.m. CT, ABC)

Matchup: #3 Texas A&M (11-0, 7-0) vs #17 Texas (8-3, 5-2) Location: Austin, Texas (Texas home game) Implications:

For Texas A&M:

Win: Guaranteed first-round bye, #3 seed or better
Loss: Could still make playoff; would need favorable SEC Championship outcome

For Texas:

Win: Stays alive for 12-team playoff consideration
Loss: Essentially eliminated from playoff contention

Analysis: This is David vs Goliath. Texas A&M is significantly favored, but rivalry games carry unpredictability. Texas needs to win at home against an undefeated conference rival. This is a “swing for the fences” game for the Longhorns.

Game 2: Oklahoma vs LSU (November 29, 2:30 p.m. CT, ABC, Sold Out)

Matchup: #8 Oklahoma (9-2, 5-2) vs LSU (unspecified record) Location: Norman, Oklahoma (sold out) Implications:

For Oklahoma:

Win: Finishes 10-2; virtually assures playoff spot
Loss: Finishes 9-3; Playoff spot less certain but Alabama win likely carries weight

For LSU:

Win: Significant bowl consideration
Loss: Must pursue other postseason options

Analysis: Oklahoma is favored at home with a sold-out crowd. The Sooners’ strong defensive profile (14.0 ppg allowed) and recent hot streak position them favorably. A 10-2 record with wins over Alabama and Tennessee appears to be in the playoff committee’s acceptable range.

SEC Championship Game Implications

While not played until December, the SEC Championship Game between Texas A&M and the SEC West Champion will have significant playoff implications:

Scenarios:

A&M over Georgia: A&M becomes #2 seed (likely); Georgia drops but likely stays in top 12
Georgia over A&M: Georgia moves into #2 spot; A&M could drop to #4-5 range but likely secure bye

The winner of the SEC Championship likely secures a top-2 seed in the College Football Playoff.

Broader Context: SEC’s Playoff Representation

Likely CFP Teams from SEC:

Texas A&M (#3) - Undefeated; bye lock
Georgia (#4) - 10-1; bye locked
Oklahoma (#8) - 9-2 rising; likely in
Florida/Others - 12-team format creates room for 3-4 SEC teams

The 12-team playoff format benefits conference depth. Even Oklahoma’s 9-2 record with two losses appears playoff-worthy given their recent resume and defensive excellence.

Texas’s Desperate Path to Playoffs

If Texas defeats Texas A&M, they would finish 9-3 and enter the SEC Championship Game against the East Champion. The playoff committee would then need to view a 9-3 Texas as worthy of a spot when:

Oklahoma went 10-2
Multiple 10-win teams are competing
Other conferences have 11-0 and 12-0 teams

Texas’s Path:

Beat Texas A&M (November 28)
Win SEC Championship Game (December 7)
Finish 10-3 with wins over A&M and Conference Champion
Hope no other 10-win team emerges as more deserving

This scenario is possible but requires multiple pieces to fall into place perfectly.

The Defensive Disparity

A key differentiator between these SEC teams is defensive performance:

Team	Points Allowed	Ranking
Georgia	Strong	Elite
Texas A&M	Solid	Very Good
Oklahoma	14.0 ppg	6th nationally
Texas	20.0 ppg	25th nationally

Oklahoma’s defensive prowess has been the difference-maker in their November surge. Texas’s relatively weak defense (20.0 ppg) has been exposed against elite offenses.

Selection Sunday Preview

December 2, 2025 - CFP Selection Show (Noon ET, ESPN)

The committee will reveal its 12-team playoff bracket. Based on current positioning:

Expected First-Round Byes (Top 4):

Ohio State (likely)
Indiana (likely)
Texas A&M (likely)
Georgia (likely)

Expected At-Large Spots (5-12):

Oklahoma (#8 AP, strong case)
Texas Tech/Other Big 12
Texas (only if they beat A&M + SEC Championship win)
Non-Power Five representatives
Additional contenders depending on final week results

Final Verdict

The SEC’s final week represents the culmination of a compelling season. Texas A&M’s undefeated march, Georgia’s resilience, Oklahoma’s November transformation, and Texas’s desperate hope all come to a head in the final seven days of November football.

The 12-team format ensures at least three—and likely four—SEC teams will make the playoffs. What remains to be determined is whether Texas can force their way in or whether Oklahoma and Georgia will represent the conference alongside undefeated Texas A&M.

Key Dates:

November 28: Texas A&M vs Texas (6:30 p.m. CT, ABC)
November 29: Oklahoma vs LSU (2:30 p.m. CT, ABC)
December 2: College Football Playoff Selection Show (Noon ET, ESPN)
December 7: SEC Championship Game (TBD)

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