The college football season involves the race for the College Football Playoff, but also the battles for New Year’s Six bowl games and division championships (except in the Big 12 and Sun Belt Conferences). National championship positioning is the main focus, but there’s more to play for beyond those games. With that larger picture in mind, here are the biggest remaining games in the SEC in November, not counting the conference championship game on December 3. The matchup there has not been determined, so it’s hard to assign a rating of importance or value.
Auburn at Alabama – Week 13
This game, known as the Iron Bowl, determined the SEC West champion in 2013. It created the SEC champion and the team which played for the SEC in the national championship game. Three years later, in 2016, this game might have the same level of significance. The thing to notice is that with the Big 12 probably having a weak champion, the SEC champion can get in with one or even two losses. Should Auburn beat Georgia and remain with only two losses entering this game, a victory over Alabama (which would win the SEC West) could transport the Tigers to the SEC Championship Game and give them a chance to earn their way into the playoff. Obviously, Alabama is playing for a national title, but the key point of this game is that Auburn would also have the same basic opportunity, making this a huge game. There’s no game bigger in the SEC (among matchups already known) over the next month.
Auburn at Georgia – Week 11
The game this Saturday is second on the list because Auburn does need to win it in order to make the Alabama game mean as much as it could mean. Auburn is favored to win this game and it should win this game, but the Tigers have to finish the job before they can turn their attention to Alabama. Given that Auburn struggled with Vanderbilt, this is not a foregone conclusion. If Georgia wins, Alabama can clinch the SEC West with a win over Mississippi State. That would probably be enough to get Alabama into the playoff, via the SEC Championship Game.
Georgia came into the season with high expectations but they have stumbled in a major way. They are just 3-4 in conference play and 5-4 overall. Remember, they also had what many considered to be one of the easier schedules on the season. And even though they’ll be hosting this contest, they are just 1-2 in front of their own audience this season.
Florida at LSU – Week 12
It’s a game which was postponed from October, when the game was originally scheduled to be played on Florida’s home field. LSU had a home date against South Alabama originally scheduled for November 19, so it didn’t want to let go of the home game and lose revenue. The compromise was to play this game on November 19, with LSU dropping South Alabama as an opponent but getting to host Florida instead of visiting Gainesville. Since the game will be played, it matters because Florida needs it to win the SEC East. If Florida loses, Tennessee can win the SEC East if it wins its three remaining games against Missouri, Kentucky and Vanderbilt. Florida has to win against LSU (and South Carolina) if it is to hold off Tennessee for the right to play Auburn or Alabama in the SEC Championship Game.
LSU at Texas A&M – Week 13
This is the game which might determine a New Year’s Six bowl berth. Texas A&M should beat Ole Miss since Ole Miss lost quarterback Chad Kelly to an injury. If A&M wins this game and finishes at 10-2, it will get a New Year’s Six bid, especially if Auburn loses to Alabama. If Auburn wins and A&M loses this game, it’s pretty clear that the Aggies will not get a New Year’s Six bowl bid. LSU, if it can beat Arkansas, Florida and A&M and close the season with a 9-3 record, might have an outside shot at a New Year’s Six bowl, but the path is very narrow for the Tigers.
