Putting every SEC team into College Football Playoff tiers

Putting every SEC team into College Football Playoff tiers

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Putting every SEC team into College Football Playoff tiers

The Georgia Bulldogs will face some of the top teams in all of college football over the course of SEC play in 2026. A handful of teams from the conference are expected to qualify for the College Football Playoff at the end of the year, and Georgia will need to be at their best throughout SEC play this season. 

Georgia ended the 2025 season with a record of 12-2 (7-1 SEC). The Bulldogs were able to secure the 16th SEC championship in program history last season, but Georgia ultimately fell just short of a national championship appearance following their loss in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals against Ole Miss. The Dawgs will enter the 2026 season with one of the most talented rosters in all of college football, and Georgia will look to secure their spot in the playoff for a third consecutive season. 

The Bulldogs opens SEC play on the road against Arkansas. Georgia will face their first true test of conference play during Week 4, as the Dawgs will host the Oklahoma Sooners in Athens for one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the year. The Dawgs will face the Vanderbilt Commodores, Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers following their matchup against Oklahoma, as Georgia will find themselves in a critical stretch of the season over the course of SEC play. 

Georgia is one of nine SEC teams with promising College Football Playoff hopes prior to kickoff in August. The Dawgs’ success during conference play will have a direct impact on their playoff odds this year as Georgia and quarterback Gunner Stockton look to make noise in the playoff.

2026 SEC College Football Playoff picture tiers

Best chances

Nov 15, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) looks to make a pass in the second half against the Georgia Bulldogs

Legitimate contenders 

Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss against the Oklahoma Sooners

  • Texas A&M Aggies
  • Ole Miss Rebels
  • Oklahoma Sooners
  • LSU Tigers 

Dark Horse

Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) is tackled by Georgia Bulldogs defensive back JaCorey Thomas (20) and defensive back Daylen Everette

  • Florida Gators 
  • Tennessee Volunteers

Unlikely

South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Lanorris Sellers (16) passes against the Clemson Tigers in the third quarter

  • Vanderbilt Commodores
  • South Carolina Gamecocks
  • Missouri Tigers
  • Auburn Tigers

Not happening

Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby speaks to the media

  • Kentucky Wildcats
  • Mississippi State Bulldogs
  • Arkansas Razorbacks

This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Putting every SEC team into College Football Playoff tiers

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos