From ruling to clawing, the SEC struggles for College Football Playoff bids

When the College Football Playoff field expanded from four teams to twelve teams, everyone pointed to a conference that would dominate the rankings. Many declared that the 12 Team College Football Playoff would be the SEC Invitational at the start of the season. Teams like Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, Alabama, and Ole Miss were seen as locks for the Playoff while Texas A&M, LSU, and Missouri were seen as potential contenders.

When the College Football Playoff committee unveiled its rankings on Tuesday Night, the SEC was the conference left disappointed.

As things currently stand, the SEC would get just three teams into the College Football Playoff in Texas, Georgia, and Tennessee. The part that will pain Greg Sankey is that Alabama isn't even the first team out as Clemson sits ahead of the Tide. The Ole Miss Rebels rank 14th and the Rebels beating South Carolina truly blocks the Gamecocks from making a jump from 15th into the playoff.

The team that still controls their own path to the College Football Playoff is the 20th ranked Texas A&M Aggies who have three losses but, just two in the conference. Texas A&M winning out would hand Texas its second loss with no true impressive win and Georgia suffering a 3rd loss.

Missouri is seemingly just a place holder boosting the SEC as they're the 21st ranked team yet they haven't been impressive.

The SEC could be left stunned on Selection Sunday

There is still one week left in the regular season and the SEC could see its three bids shrink even further. Texas A&M beating Texas but, losing to Georgia could knock the Longhorns out of the picture. The Volunteers have to face a scrappy Vanderbilt team that could easily send Tennessee packing as it would mark their third loss. Georgia is guaranteed a chance at the Conference Title game but, Georgia Tech shocking the Bulldogs would deal a massive blow to their at large chances. This weekend could unfold as one of the craziest yet, making Sunday's show the most interesting.

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