The overused ‘SEC bias’ argument is just getting started in the College Football Playoff era.
The College Football Playoff selection committee will not only have its hands full selecting the four best teams at the end of the season, but will also complete the challenging task of selecting eight others to fill the remaining spots after conference tie-ins for ‘New Year’s Six’ games, prestigious bowl games that replace BCS contests.
RELATED: SEC Bowl Projections after Week 12
The Playoff selection committee now has ultimate authority over bowl committees who no longer have a say on who goes where for the postseason.
The ‘New Year’s Six’ Bowl Schedule
- Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, 12:30 p.m., Dec. 31
- Fiesta Bowl, 4 p.m., Dec. 31
- Orange Bowl, 8 p.m., Dec. 31
- Cotton Bowl, 12:30 p.m, Jan. 1
- Rose Bowl (Semifinal No. 1), 5 p.m., Jan. 1
- Sugar Bowl (Semifinal No. 2), 8 p.m., Jan. 1
In the past, BCS rules crippled the SEC’s at-large invites since only two teams from a single conference were included (unless both made the national championship game). While the BCS era was dominated by the SEC with nine titles, many times teams in the Top 10 were placed in lower bowls due to this stipulation.
Not this season. It’s the selection committee’s choice where teams fall and they make the rules.
SEC could have 13 bowl eligible teams, and associate commish Mark Womack says he’s hopeful all 13 could be placed if there are that many.
— Bob Holt (@BobHoltADG) November 19, 2014
SEC teams with chance at ‘New Year’s Six’ invites (current Playoff ranking)
- No. 1 Alabama
- No. 4 Mississippi State
- No. 8 Ole Miss
- No. 10 Georgia
- No. 14 Auburn
- No. 20 Missouri
If Alabama and Mississippi State win out, both should secure CFP semifinal appearances. It’s not as certain for the Bulldogs currently in the No. 4 slot with several one-loss teams in contention, but an 11-1 finish with a win over a nine-win Ole Miss team should boost the resume.
That leaves Ole Miss, a near-lock even if the Rebels finish 9-3, along with possible Eastern Division champ Georgia. The Bulldogs (8-2) could finish 10-2 and not win the division, but would still finish ahead of Mizzou in the CFP rankings unless the Tigers win the SEC.
The Citrus Bowl in Orlando has dibs on its SEC team of choice after ‘New Year’s Six’ selections are made. If the season ended today, it appears Auburn would be the most likely candidate with Mizzou, projected 10-3 with an SEC Championship Game loss, heading to the Outback Bowl in Tampa.
We’re projecting the SEC’s number of ‘New Year’s Six’ selections after 12 weeks at four with Auburn and Mizzou just missing out.
