Does Alabama football SEC championship path remain simple after Oklahoma loss?
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Alabama football may have lost to Oklahoma but the Crimson Tide remains in the driver’s seat when it comes to a place in the SEC championship game.
In most scenarios, an Alabama win against Auburn in the Iron Bowl on Saturday, Nov. 29, should secure the Crimson Tide’s place in the SEC championship game — Alabama‘s first in the Kalen DeBoer era.
But there are scenarios outside of Alabama’s control that could keep the Crimson Tide from battling for a conference championship after its 23-21 loss to Oklahoma Saturday, Nov. 16.
Alabama SEC championship scenarios
In a three-way tie, Georgia and Ole Miss have the advantage over Alabama to reach the SEC championship game, according to mred’s 2025 SEC football standings tiebreaker simulator.
So while Alabama plays Eastern Illinois Saturday, Nov. 22, there are scenarios where the Crimson Tide is eliminated from conference championship contention.
If Kentucky beats Vanderbilt on Nov. 22, a handful of scenarios keep the Crimson Tide out, even with a win against Auburn. A Vanderbilt win against Kentucky gives Alabama a significant advantage in the SEC championship race because of conference opponent win percentage and the Crimson Tide’s head-to-head win against Georgia Saturday, Sept. 27.
Texas beating Texas A&M in the final weekend of the regular season would also help ensure that Alabama advances to the SEC championship with a win against Auburn.
No team will be able to clinch a spot in the SEC championship game until the final weekend of the regular season, the conference confirmed after Saturday’s slate of games.
Alabama will take on Eastern Illinois at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 on SEC Network+.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football SEC championship path after Oklahoma loss
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