SEC Football: Week 13 power rankings

By John Buhler | Nov 28, 2016

Nov 12, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron celebrates with tight end Caleb Roddy (85) after a Tigers touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. LSU won 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /

5 of 5

Nov 26, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Ronnie Harrison (15) and linebacker Tim Williams (56) celebrate their tackles behind the Auburn Tigers line during the third quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated the Auburn Tigers 30-12. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

2016 SEC Championship Game

Losing badly to in-state rival Florida State on Saturday night in Tallahassee doesn’t help the Florida Gators get to a New Year’s Six bowl should they lose to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 SEC Championship Game on Saturday evening.

Florida isn’t close to a perfect football team, but the Gators do have the defense to keep them in football games they otherwise shouldn’t be in. While head coach Jim McElwain has won the SEC East in back-to-back seasons, his offense hasn’t improved since he took over the program in 2015.

Because of a weak passing game, Florida will be a major underdog in the 2016 SEC Championship to SEC West Champion Alabama. The only way that Florida beats Alabama in the Georgia Dome is to play a low-scoring defensive struggle. Unfortunately, high-octane thrillers are commonplace in the Georgia Dome. That’s not great for Florida’s chance to play in a New Year’s Six bowl.

For as terrible as the SEC has been in 2016, the SEC still has the best team in college football in the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide. Alabama is an overwhelming favorite over the Florida Gators in the 2016 SEC Championship.

At 12-0 (8-0), one could argue that Alabama could lose the SEC Championship and still make the 2017 College Football Playoff as an at-large team. This team has been that dominant all season long.

Assuming the Crimson Tide take care of business against Florida, Alabama will be the No. 1 seed in the 2017 College Football Playoff. They will end up playing the No. 4 seed in the Georgia Dome for the 2017 Peach Bowl.

Next: Ranking The 25 Best Rivalries In College Football

Will the Crimson Tide win the College Football Playoff? Maybe, but this will be the only team in the SEC that has any shot at it. The rest of the conference has at least four losses on the season. Alabama is the SEC’s only hope to win a National Championship.

Home/College Football