SEC teams jockeying for bowl positioning

Rivalry week will add clarity to postseason

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — It’s rivalry week for most of the Southeastern Conference, and with it a chance for everyone to either avoid or add to the powerhouse league’s recent chaos. Thirteen of 14 SEC teams — everyone except Texas A&M (4-7) — are eyeing various levels of postseason play.

Here’s a look at where the top SEC teams stand as they jockey for postseason positioning:

■ Georgia (11-0): Although the top-ranked and defending national champion Bulldogs have looked vulnerable at times, nothing short of losing to Georgia Tech and then LSU in the SEC title game would keep them from the College Football Playoff.

■ LSU (9-2): The sixth-ranked Tigers would make a strong case for the CFP with wins at Texas A&M and against Georgia in Atlanta. But coach Brian Kelly’s team has been far from impressive on the road and is more likely to land in a New Year’s Six bowl, the Sugar, Orange or Cotton.

■ Alabama (9-2): The eighthranked Crimson Tide needs a few upsets over the next two weeks to sneak into the playoff for the eighth time in nine years. If not, it’s likely the Sugar or Orange.

■ Tennessee (9-2): Unless the ninth-ranked Volunteers lose at red-hot Vanderbilt, they appear destined for the Sugar, Orange or Cotton.

“We know that we still have the chance to play for a New Year’s Six bowl,” Vols defensive lineman Omari Thomas said. “That’s a big thing for this program.”

■ Mississippi (8-3): The 20thranked Rebels look like a lock for the Capital One Bowl in Orlando, Florida, but losing a third straight game could put that in jeopardy.

■ Mississippi State (7-4): The Bulldogs are likely to be among SEC teams in a pool for the Reliaquest Bowl (Tampa, Florida), the Gator Bowl (Jacksonville, Florida), the Music City Bowl (Nashville, Tennessee), the Texas Bowl (Houston), the Vegas Bowl (Las Vegas) and the Liberty Bowl (Memphis, Tennessee).

One of those bowls would seemingly have to go outside the SEC if Auburn, Missouri and Vandy all lose.

■ South Carolina (7-4): A bowl trip to the Sunshine State (Reliaquest or Gator) looks promising for the Gamecocks.

■ Arkansas (6-5): The Razorbacks should expect to something west of the Mississippi River, probably Texas or Vegas.

■ Florida (6-5): The Gators would prefer to stay close to home to help Billy Napier’s recruiting efforts.

■ Kentucky (6-5): The Wildcats haven’t been to the Liberty Bowl since 2009 and haven’t been to the Music City Bowl since 2017. Both are in play.