Alabama has been a constant presence in the College Football Playoff since it began in 2014, placing in the Top 4 in the first 5 editions until the streak came to an end in 2019 and winning 2 titles during that span in rather dramatic fashion.

While Nick Saban’s team looks to return to the Playoff after a 1-year absence, which other SEC team has the best chance at getting into the field? For ESPN college football analyst Cole Cubelic, that team is Texas A&M.

After the Aggies squeaked by Vanderbilt in College Station to open the season, it was blown out 52-24 at Alabama on Oct. 3, earning 3rd-year coach Jimbo Fisher his share of criticism. Things may have gotten back on track after a last-second win over Florida on Oct. 10 and a road win at Mississippi State on Oct. 17.

The Aggies will obviously need to win out starting with Saturday’s game against Arkansas, but Cubelic explained what other factors could lead to them being in the Playoff.

“Georgia and Florida are going to play each other. One of them’s going to get a loss and we don’t feel great about either one of them against Alabama,” he said on SiriusXM on Friday. “If Georgia and Alabama split (via a Georgia win over Alabama in the SEC Championship Game), OK, maybe they both get in.

“If Georgia loses to Bama in the championship game, I don’t care what they do the rest of the regular season, I don’t think they’re getting in. I think the (playoff) committee looks at that and says ‘You know, we don’t need a round 3. We’re good.’ … A&M right now, when you look at opportunity, has the best chance to be the 2nd SEC team to get into the College Football Playoff.”