Led By Oklahoma, The SEC Is Serving Up Playoff-Type Drama In November

The Week 12 menu of games on ESPN was dubbed “Statement Saturday” and there was no lack of exclamation points as well as marks of exasperation. Such is life in the 12-team playoff era when there are elimination games in November. That is especially the case in the SEC, which boasted seven teams in the top 14 of the second College Football Playoff ranking.

Though Texas A&M would still have been in good shape even without a record-breaking comeback against South Carolina, and Alabama should continue to breathe playoff air after a close loss against visiting Oklahoma, Texas’ chances took a major blow with its defeat at Georgia. Ole Miss, meanwhile, rallied to defeat a Florida team that will sit out the postseason for the second time in three years.

Week 12 drama was at its height in Alabama where the Crimson Tide (8-2/6-1) held the Sooners (8-2/4-2) to 212 yards and 12 first downs, but could not overcome three turnovers in a 23-21 loss. As such, Oklahoma left Tuscaloosa with its second straight road win in November against a ranked conference foe. Brent Venables’ team won at Tennessee on the first Saturday of the month and had a bye ahead of its visit to Bryant-Denny.

A loss would have been Oklahoma’s third in the SEC resulting in very little chance for the Sooner Schooner to ride into the playoff. Thanks to a defense that tormented quarterback Ty Simpson and the Alabama offense all day long, the Sooners saddled Kalen DeBoer with his first home loss as the ‘Bama sideline boss and bagged a fourth win over a ranked opponent, something that only the Tide can match. It all makes OU’s loss to Texas on October 11 seem like a distant memory. The remaining schedule is tough, though, with visits from Missouri and LSU.

The Longhorns (7-3/4-2) kept viewers interested long enough even if their performance was often as unsightly as the fourth quarter proved to be in a 35-10 loss to Georgia. Steve Sarkisian’s Hook ‘Em’s still have a slim shot at earning a spot at the playoff table thanks to a visit from Texas A&M. First, they have to get past Arkansas on Saturday, then defeat the Aggies in Austin the Friday after Thanksgiving and have some dominoes ahead of them fall flat.

As for the Bulldogs (9-1/7-1), their SEC schedule concluded against OU. American Conference member Charlotte visits Athens next week ahead of the annual regular-season finale against Georgia Tech, which will receive a $10 million payout as a result of moving the game a couple of miles from Bobby Dodd Stadium to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Yellow Jackets, who host Pitt on Saturday, could be on their way to the ACC championship game. Win that and, who knows, Tech and UGA could meet again in the playoff.

Ole Miss had one red zone blunder after another before rallying past the Gators, 34-24, in Oxford. The Rebels (10-1/6-1) pulled off the win amid an environment centered around Lane Kiffin and whether or not he is headed to Gainesville. Such speculation is sure to skyrocket with a week off before the Egg Bowl, assuming he’s still around.

Speaking of coaches and jobs, much of the chatter in College Station dealt with Mike Elko’s six-year extension through 2031. His Aggies (10-0/7-0) then promptly fell behind the three-win Gamecocks, 30-3, before quarterback Marcel Reed led the comeback in a 31-30 victory. A loss would not have been detrimental to A&M’s playoff hopes, though it would have certainly ratcheted up what will already be a hyped atmosphere with the aforementioned Thanksgiving weekend affair in Austin. The Aggies host Samford on Saturday.

Vandy (8-2/4-2) had a week off before resuming action Saturday against visiting Kentucky. The Commodores then conclude the regular season at Tennessee, who with three conference losses will be in the role of spoiler assuming the ‘Dores hold serve in Lexington to remain in playoff contention. Help is needed, though.

All of the above is what made Week 12 must-see TV, especially in the SEC.