College Football Playoff Predictions: Will there only be three SEC teams in the field before Week 14?

How many SEC teams actually make the playoffs?

Only three teams in the league have two or fewer losses after a Week 13 in which Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas A&M all lost on the road. Does this mean the SEC only has three playoff opportunities left? Or does a team with three losses have a chance?

We wouldn’t write off the teams with three defeats. Especially Texas A&M. The Aggies can secure an automatic berth in the SEC title game with a win over Texas and a win over Georgia. And both Alabama and Ole Miss won against Georgia.

However, we expect there will only be three SEC teams in Tuesday’s College Football Playoff rankings. Here’s what we expect the bracket to look like if every team and placement is spot on last week.

Byes in the first round

1. Oregon (11-0, projected Big Ten champion)

The Ducks were eliminated in Week 13 and are the only undefeated team remaining at the highest level of college football.

2. Texas (10-1, projected SEC champion)

Texas won against a Kentucky team that couldn’t make the most of its opportunities. Quinn Ewers suffered an ankle injury in the win but it’s minor and he should be fine against A&M.

3. Miami (10-1, projected ACC champion)

Miami did what it needed to against Wake Forest. A win in Week 14 puts the Hurricanes in the ACC title game against SMU.

4. Boise State (10-1, projected Mountain West champions)

Ashton Jeanty surpassed the 2,000-yard mark but also suffered what appeared to be a left ankle injury. However, Jeanty was able to get back into the game and Boise State survived Wyoming’s surprise attempt to claim a 17-13 victory.

First round games

No. 12 Arizona State (8-2, projected Big 12 champion) and No. 5 Ohio State (10-1, overall)

The Sun Devils are in the best position of any team at the top of the Big 12. Arizona State has the tiebreaker advantage over everyone else and is in the Big 12 title game with a win over Arizona. The Sun Devils are also expected to be the top-ranked Big 12 team in the rankings on Tuesday night. Ohio State will remain at No. 2 in the rankings after its impressive win over Indiana, but is currently ranked No. 5. The Buckeyes will get a rematch with the Ducks for the Big Ten title with a win over Michigan.

No. 11 Indiana (10-1, overall) at No. 6. Notre Dame (10-1, overall)

The Hoosiers are the main beneficiaries of the chaos in the SEC. Had Alabama and Ole Miss picked up victories, it’s easy to imagine the committee ejecting Indiana this week. Instead, the Hoosiers need to have a really good chance. A win over Purdue should be enough for a playoff spot.

We believe Notre Dame could jump ahead of Penn State in the rankings after an impressive win over previously undefeated Army. The Irish are a very complete team right now and are on a nine-game winning streak following their impressive Week 2 loss to Northern Illinois.

No. 10 SMU (10-1, overall) at No. 7 Penn State (10-1, overall)

After an easy win over Virginia that clinched a spot in the ACC title game, SMU would find itself in the field for the first time. SMU is also on a nine-game winning streak since its loss to BYU in Week 2. Here’s a situation to think about: Will SMU enter the game at 11-2 as a team if it loses to Miami in the ACC title game?

The Nittany Lions left Minnesota with a 26-25 win. Like Indiana, Penn State will have a great shot at making the playoffs with a win over Maryland in the regular season finale.

No. 9 Tennessee (9-2, overall) at No. 8 Georgia (9-2, overall)

Don’t think about a rematch between the Vols and Bulldogs just yet. That will probably change. Georgia has secured a spot in the SEC title game and will play either Texas or Texas A&M on December 7th. There are still a number of starting spots available for the Bulldogs.

Tennessee was the biggest playoff beneficiary of losses in the SEC. After falling out of the group a week ago, the Vols are back in the mix and should make the playoffs with a win over Vanderbilt.