Are more SEC playoff teams the answer to CFP blowouts?

More teams, more drama, more bellyaching. The College Football Playoff's first round served a series of blowouts, resulting in blowback that the selection committee whiffed on its at-large picks.  But, is the committee really to blame for the first-round drubbings, and if so, which teams would ha…

CFP predictions: Georgia, Texas poised for a run, but what about Tennessee?

Georgia earned the bye, but which SEC team received the best College Football Playoff draw? That’s difficult to answer. The second-seeded Bulldogs are one step closer to the national championship game than either Texas (No. 5 seed) or Tennessee (No. 9 seed). However, Texas will open at home agains…

Should Alabama schedule more cupcakes after missing CFP? Let's consider that idea

Missing the inaugural 12-team playoff leaves Alabama feeling out of sorts - and evaluating its schedule. In the wake of the College Football Playoff selection committee choosing SMU over Alabama for the final playoff bid, UA athletics director Greg Byrne indicated the football program will conside…

As CFP bubble fills up, do South Carolina and Ole Miss have better case than Alabama?

Will the College Football Playoff committee have the gall to deny the Script A and the allure that comes with Alabama a spot in the 12-team bracket? More to the point, will the committee be more interested in Alabama’s lofty strength of schedule, or its miserable showing in a blowout loss at Oklah…

Lane Kiffin, Kalen DeBoer do battle in quest for biggest faceplant

In the SEC this season, it just means more losses, more parity, fewer elite teams and a struggle to qualify teams for the College Football Playoff. Ole Miss got swallowed up in The Swamp. Alabama suffered malice at The Palace. Kalen DeBoer and Lane Kiffin each possessed enough talent to field a p…

Why Lincoln Riley – yes, Lincoln Riley – can save Tennessee's season

Tennessee needs help. The Vols won't be in full control of their quest for the College Football Playoff after losing at Georgia, marking Tennessee's second loss. And while Tennessee retains multiple avenues to receive an assist into the playoff, the most interesting one might be this: Lincoln Rile…

CFP bracket bubble: Making case for and against Tennessee, Texas, Georgia

The CFP picture gained no clarity Saturday. In fact, it became more opaque after No. 3 Georgia fell to Ole Miss and No. 4 Miami went down against unranked Georgia Tech. Miami and Georgia remain in the mix, but make room for Ole Miss. It’s getting crowded on that playoff bubble, and you’d need a sp…

What a Lane Kiffin upset of Georgia would mean for Ole Miss (and Florida)

Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss have a chance to offset a loss to Kentucky from earlier this season when the Rebels face Georgia on Saturday. Oddsmakers put this game on a razor’s edge, and the Bulldogs suddenly look vulnerable. And if Ole Miss pulls it off, then what? The Rebels would re-enter the play…

True or False?: Florida's Billy Napier will be only SEC football coach fired

Florida's Billy Napier still owns the hottest seat in the SEC. The nation's most volatile conference had a quiet spin of the coaching carousel for two months. Arkansas' Sam Pittman inches his way off the hot seat. Auburn's Hugh Freeze bought himself a moment of calm by beating Kentucky. Even the …

As College Football Playoff bubble overcrowds, we project 12-team bracket

The College Football Playoff bubble is becoming awfully crowded. As many as eight teams in the SEC could finish the regular season at 10-2. The Big Ten pushes for three or more bids. The ACC and Big 12 are shaping up as two-bid leagues. Notre Dame won't go away. How would the committee wade throug…