The Big 12 did not get a spot at the table in the initial year of the College Football Playoff. Three of teams in the league – TCU, Baylor and Oklahoma State – are unbeaten this season, so it appears the Big 12 should get a team in this season.

In the SEC, only one team, LSU, is undefeated. Still, top to bottom, the Southeastern Conference has more teams that could get a bid with one loss than a team from the Big 12 that drops a game.

Here is how the teams stack up to one another according to the SDS power rankings.

PLAYOFF CONTENDERS

If any of the following six teams make the playoffs, it should not be a surprise to anyone:

  • LSU (6-0)
  • TCU (6-0)
  • Baylor (6-0)
  • Alabama (6-1)
  • Oklahoma State (6-0)
  • Florida (6-1)

CONTENDERS

These teams are still not out of it. If the dominoes fall correctly, any of these squads could play for the title:

  • 7. Texas A&M (5-1)
  • 8. Ole Miss (5-2)
  • 9. Oklahoma (5-1)
  • 10. Georgia (5-2)

CHALLENGERS

The following is the list of teams that can make the selection committee begin to scratch their heads:

  • 11. Texas Tech (5-2)
  • 12. Mississippi State (5-2)

NO ONE WANTS TO PLAY THEM

These are the teams that could be overlooked to the detriment of the contenders:

  • 13. Arkansas (2-4)
  • 14. Tennessee (3-3)

ON THE UPSWING

A slow start can kill a season. These teams know that, but have improved during the year:

  • 15. Auburn (4-2)
  • 16. Kentucky (4-2)
  • 17. Missouri (4-3)
  • 18. West Virginia (3-3)
  • 19. Kansas State (3-3)

THE REST

It is not only too late for these teams to make bowls, there probably never was a chance:

  • 20. South Carolina (3-4)
  • 21. Iowa State (2-4)
  • 22. Vanderbilt (2-4)
  • 23. Texas (2-4)
  • 25. Kansas (0-6)