CBS recently released their opinions on the best college football team from each state in America. Naturally, Saturday Down South wonders where our SEC programs fell in the mix.

The criteria CBS used followed these guidelines:

  • Did not look at all-time success, but more at how well that school is playing now
  • Division I FBS and FCS schools were discussed

The only two states that did not have a football program in either category were Alaska and Vermont. Alaska actually doesn’t have a program period.

As for our SEC states, let’s take a look.

SEC schools that made it: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, Missouri, Tennessee

Who the other SEC schools lost out to:

  • Auburn to Alabama
  • Florida to Florida State
  • Kentucky to Louisville
  • Mississippi State to Ole Miss
  • South Carolina to Clemson
  • Texas A&M to Baylor
  • Vanderbilt to Tennessee

Out of the SEC schools that did make it on the map, here’s a look into why CBS chose them:

ALABAMA

Beat out: Auburn, South Alabama, Troy

Why:

  • Alabama run game is excellent with the support of the strong offensive line.
  • Auburn’s turnaround must be seen before it can be believed.

ARKANSAS

Beat out: Arkansas State

Why:

  • UA has one of the biggest offensive lines in football (not just college).
  • The rushing attack on the Razorbacks offense is one of the best in the country.

GEORGIA

Beat out: Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Georgia Southern

Why:

  • Georgia’s defense is better than Georgia Tech’s.
  • RB Nick Chubb wins over Tech’s triple-option attack.

LSU

Beat out: Louisiana Tech, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Tulane

Why:

  • Because there was simply no question that the Tigers are the better team.

OLE MISS

Beat out: Mississippi State, Southern Miss

Why:

  • Ole Miss beat Mississippi State at the end of last season.
  • The Rebels return lots of talent on their top scoring defense.
  • WR Laquon Treadwell has returned from his leg injury.

MISSOURI

Beat out: Missouri State (FCS), Southeast Missouri State (FCS)

Why:

  • They’ve won back-to-back SEC East titles.
  • There is no other FBS program in the state.

TENNESSEE

Beat out: Vanderbilt, Memphis, Middle Tennessee

Why:

  • The Butch Jones era in Knoxville is looking strong.
  • This is 2015, not two years ago when Tennessee went 5-7 and and Vanderbilt went 9-4.

OTHER INTERESTING CHOICES

  • Colorado State over Colorado
  • USC over every California school
  • BYU over Utah
  • Oklahoma over Oklahoma State