Will 2 SEC teams make the Playoff? Kirk Herbstreit weighs in
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Could two teams from the SEC wind up in the College Football Playoff this season?
Alabama and Georgia have put together impressive seasons so far with both teams currently ranked inside the top four in the AP Poll. Both teams are undefeated with a favorable schedule moving forward.
Alabama is led by QB Jalen Hurts, a stable of dynamic running backs, and a tough defense. The Crimson Tide have scored 40 or more points in five games this season and look destined to get to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game.
Georgia is in an equally favorable position. The Bulldogs headed to their bye week with a 7-0 record and a string of dominant victories in the SEC. Georgia still has Florida, Auburn, and Georgia Tech remaining on the schedule, but the Bulldogs have a great shot at heading to Atlanta for a matchup with the Tide.
With both teams rolling, talk has begun about whether two teams from the SEC could reach the Playoff. ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit was recently asked about the issue, and he does not believe the Playoff Committee would put two teams from the same conference in the Playoff.
Brad Crawford with 247 Sports shared Herbstreit’s comments that were made on ESPN’s Week 8 Top 25 Recap:
“I just can not imagine a scenario where the committee is willing to put two from one conference in,” Herbstreit said. “Georgia looks great right now. Alabama does too…I just can’t envision those two teams both getting in and two other Power conferences getting left out…Even if they’re both deserving, its just hard for me to imagine the committee not recognizing and giving a Power 5 conference a chance to get into that playoff.”
Herbstreit did say he is all about getting the four best teams regardless of conference championships, but he still does not believe it is likely that two teams from one conference will make it:
“I’m all about the best four. I don’t care what conference you’re in at all,” Herbstreit said. “I just find it hard to imagine them keeping two power 5 conference champions out. If it happens, I’ll applaud, but I can’t see it happening.”
Georgia is off this week while Alabama will take on Tennessee on Saturday.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
