SEC standings: What Texas' win against Vanderbilt means for SEC, College Football Playoff

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SEC standings: What Texas' win against Vanderbilt means for SEC, College Football Playoff originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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No. 20 Texas held off No. 9 Vanderbilt 34-31 in a victory that shakes up the College Football Playoff race ahead of the first set of rankings Tuesday. 

Arch Manning – who was cleared after suffering a concussion against Mississippi State in Week 9 – picked apart the Commodores. Manning finished 25 of 33 for 328 yards and three TDs, and the Longhorns (7-2, 4-1 SEC) maintained pace in the conference race. Vanderbilt (7-2, 3-2 SEC) now has no margin for error in a more complicated playoff path. 

Are the Longhorns a sleeper team in November? Are the Commodores out of the 12-team field? A look at the implications from Texas' victory against Vanderbilt at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday. 

MORE: Inside Arch Manning's big day against Vanderbilt

Arch Manning leads Texas past Vanderbilt 

Manning might be turning a corner. He set the tone of the first play with a swing pass to Ryan Wingo, who sprinted 75 yards for a TD. Manning threw a second TD pass in the red zone – where he patiently waited for CJ Baxter to get open – to give the Longhorns a 17-0 lead. 

Manning hit 12 of 16 passes for 200 yards in the first half and added another TD to Emmett Mosley V in the second half that helped Texas blow the game open. 

The question coming in was whether Vanderbilt could handle Texas' defense, which ranked 10th in scoring defense at 14.6 points per game. Edge rusher Colin Simmons added a sack and a fumble recovery in the first quarter, and Vanderbilt managed just 14 rushing yards in the first half. The Longhorns also had six sacks. 

Texas opened up a 34-10 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Diego Pavia – who finished 27 of 38 for 365 yards and three TDs – led three fourth-quarter TD drives in brilliant fashion.  He also had 43 of the Commodores' 58 rushing yards and a TD, but an onside kick went out of bounds with 33 seconds remaining. 

Breaking down SEC playoff contenders 

No. 3 Texas A&M (8-0, 5-0) 

The Aggies are on a bye week, but they should be able to get to the 10-win mark with home games against Samford and South Carolina. The road tests against No. 19 Missouri (Nov. 8) and No. 20 Texas (Nov. 28) will determine whether Texas A&M makes the SEC championship game. 

No. 4 Alabama (7-1, 5-0)

Alabama is the other unbeaten team in conference play and has a bye week ahead of a matchup against LSU. The Crimson Tide have not lost since the season opener at Florida State, and quarterback Ty Simpson has 20 TDs and one interception. Will the Crimson Tide and Aggies be ranked back to back in the first CFP rankings?

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No. 5 Georgia (6-1, 4-1)

Georgia is in a good position despite a 24-21 loss to Alabama on Sept. 27. The Bulldogs renew their rivalry with Florida on Saturday and will try to extend their winning streak to five games in the series. 

No. 7 Ole Miss (7-1, 4-1)

Ole Miss faces South Carolina on Saturday. The Rebels play their next three games at home before the Egg Bowl against Mississippi State, and Lane Kiffin has the program on track for its first CFP appearance. 

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No. 20 Texas (7-2, 3-2)

This is where we have the Longhorns now, and we could see a decent jump up both the AP Poll and CFP rankings. Texas' non-conference loss to Ohio State isn't a deal-breaker, and the Longhorns have a bye week to prepare for a road trip to Georgia.

No. 9 Vanderbilt (7-2, 3-2)

The Commodores could land outside the playoff in the first rankings, and get ready for some debate about where a 10-win Vanderbilt team would fit at the end of the puzzle. Vanderbilt plays Auburn and Kentucky at home before the regular-season finale against Tennessee.

No. 14 Tennessee (6-2, 3-2)

The Volunteers have losses to Georgia and Alabama – which would be forgiven if Josh Heupel can guide this team to another 10-win season. Tennessee is at home against Oklahoma in Week 10. The Vols beat the Sooners 25-15 last season. 

No. 19 Missouri (6-2, 3-2)

The Tigers are on a bye week. Missouri has two one-score losses against top-10 teams in Alabama and Vanderbilt, and the Week 11 matchup against Texas A&M will determine whether the Tigers can stay in the playoff race.

No. 18 Oklahoma (6-2, 3-2)

The Sooners are playing at Tennessee on Saturday. Oklahoma has lost two of its last three games since John Mateer returned from a hand injury.

MORE: What's next for Brian Kelly after LSU dismissal?

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