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SEC Football

SEC vs. Pac-12: Week 13

Christopher Smith

By Christopher Smith

Published:

Every Friday, we rank the SEC and Pac-12 teams in one power poll. The order of the SEC teams is based on the Week 13 SDS SEC Power Poll.

Three of the four College Football Playoff spots are headed to these two conferences if the season ended now, as Alabama (No. 1), Oregon (No. ?) and Mississippi State (No. 4) rank high in the selection committee’s poll.

The Pac-12 can make a case as the second-best conference in college football this season, though the Big 12 would have something to say about that.

Right now the SEC claims three of the top four spots in our combined power rankings between the two conferences and six of the top 10. But all three of the top SEC teams face difficult rivalry games Saturday.

IN THE PLAYOFF

1. Alabama (10-1)
2. Oregon (10-1)
3. Mississippi State (10-1)

DELUSIONAL ABOUT THE PLAYOFF

Well, if Alabama and Mississippi State lose, and if we win the SEC championship game, and get help from Florida against Florida State, maybe we’re in the conversation … Well, if we win the Pac-12 South, beat Oregon, both SEC West teams lose, Florida State loses … MAYBE we have a chance. Guys, it’s been a nice year. Maybe even 10 wins in the regular season. But let’s not get carried away.

4. Georgia (9-2)
5. UCLA (9-2)

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP WRECKING BALLS

The Tigers and Rebels have a direct chance to smash the SEC West chances of Bama and Mississippi State. (Granted, if the Bulldogs lose, the Tide claim the division title. If both teams lose, Alabama will be going to Atlanta.) Arizona State needs help, but it can still get to the Pac-12 championship game with a chance to wreck Oregon’s season. Missouri is one win from the SEC championship, where it could ruin the playoff resume of Alabama or Mississippi State.

6. Auburn (8-3)
7. Missouri (9-2)
8. Arizona State (9-2)
9. Ole Miss (8-3)

WINDOW DRESSING

Not the kind you ate yesterday on Thanksgiving. (Unlike some SDS staff members, I love a plate full of stuffing.) These teams make the Pac-12 and the SEC look good. I mean, Utah is the 15th-best team between the two conferences? The Utes have been ranked nationally for most of the season.

10. Arizona (9-2)
11. Arkansas (6-5)
12. LSU (8-4)
13. USC (7-4)
14. Texas A&M (7-5)
15. Utah (7-4)

I DON’T WANT NO MEDIOCRE

As T.I. would say, I think I’ll pass. No one’s cozying up to these teams at the holiday party trying to get friendly. Not this year.

16. South Carolina (6-5)
17. Washington (7-5)
18. Tennessee (5-6)
19. Florida (6-4)
20. Stanford (6-5)

PROJECTED OUT OF A BOWL GAME

Sorry, Bears. We just don’t trust you to get the job done against BYU, especially with the slide you’ve been going through. And what did you expect, Wildcats? It’s basketball season now. (Wait, you’re not even here reading this any more, are you? Sneaky devils.) Beavers, most of the country will celebrate with you if you find a way to beat Oregon and get to six wins. Good luck with that.

21. Cal (5-6)
22. Kentucky (5-6)
23. Washington State (3-8)
24. Oregon State (5-6)

WE BEAT UMASS

This coupling has held together all year. Steady as she goes. Barring the apocalypse, these programs will finish the conference season a combined 0-15. But hey, they celebrated victories against the Minutemen!

25. Vanderbilt (3-8)
26. Colorado (2-9)

Christopher Smith

An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.

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