Georgia was the first SEC team to officially crack bowl eligibility last week. The Bulldogs were joined by Missouri and Alabama in Week 7.

Alabama’s quest was essentially a given 7 weeks ago. Mizzou’s was likely. The Tigers have been the surprise team in the conference this season and sit at 6-1 with wins over a pair of ranked teams and their only loss coming to LSU in a tightly-contested game.

You’ll notice there were few changes as far as destinations go compared to last week’s projections. Most notably, Florida, Auburn, Kentucky and South Carolina played a riveting game of musical chairs this week. The Gators snatched the chair right out from under Shane Beamer and Co.

Barring a late-season comeback like last year, South Carolina is unlikely to make it to 6 wins.

Arkansas is addicted to losing games by one score. A few breaks going their way would have paved a path to 6 wins, but close doesn’t count in football.

A few grafs for my Tennessee crowd. As I expected, the host Vols were able to take care of a Texas A&M team that looked as bad as it has all season under the influence of just under 102,000 fans at Neyland Stadium. The Vols’ defense made Max Johnson and A&M’s offense look silly following the first drive Saturday afternoon.

But I don’t know how any Vols fan could come away from Week 7 feeling too optimistic.

Defensively, Tennessee is as good as it has been under Josh Heupel. It may even be able to carry the Vols to a win or 2 paired with a dangerous ground game, one that gashed the best run defense in the conference for over 230 yards. But it’s painfully apparent Joe Milton is holding the Vols back.

The Vols are an 8-win team at best unless something changes at QB, and for now I’m chalking Nov. 11 in Columbia against Mizzou as a loss. Hence, Mayo Bowl.

A few teams see new opponents in these projections after a great week of college football outside the conference. Washington has re-entered the CFP after an uber-impressive win over Oregon. North Carolina in the Orange Bowl against the Tide after another strong win over Miami and Iowa moved up a spot for downing Wisconsin. It’s safe to say the Hawkeyes are the 4th best team in the B1G now.

Until next week, college football.

SEC college football bowl projections following Week 7

Sugar Bowl (Playoff semifinal): Georgia vs. Washington

Rose Bowl (Playoff semifinal): Michigan vs. Oklahoma

Orange Bowl: Alabama vs. North Carolina

Cotton Bowl: Ole Miss vs. Oregon

Citrus Bowl: LSU vs. Iowa

ReliaQuest Bowl: Mizzou vs. Clemson

Mayo Bowl:  Tennessee vs. Duke

Texas Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma State

Music City Bowl: Florida vs. Wisconsin

Gator Bowl: Kentucky vs. Miami

Liberty Bowl: Auburn vs. Kansas State