Bowl projections: Texas replaces Georgia at No. 1 in College Football Playoff after Dawgs fall to Alabama
The Longhorns are projected to win the SEC and claim the 1-seed in the 12-team CFP field
by Jerry Palm · CBS SportsAlabama's thrilling 41-34 win over Georgia on Saturday has knocked the Bulldogs out of the No. 1 seed in this week's College Football Playoff projections. Texas, the current No. 1 in the AP Top 25, is now the projected SEC champion in its first season as a league member. As such, the Longhorns have replaced Georgia as the No. 1 seed in the CFP field.
It will be an uphill climb for the Bulldogs to get back into the SEC race as the Dawgs will likely have to run the table in conference play to get a berth in the SEC Championship Game. That means wins at home over No. 5 Tennessee, at No. 1 Texas and No. 6 Ole Miss, which lost at home to Kentucky on Saturday.
The Longhorns began SEC play on Saturday with a 35-13 win over Mississippi State. A home game with Georgia on Oct. 19 is their only matchup against one of the other likely contenders.
Missouri also has only one game against one of the other likely SEC contenders -- Oct. 26 at Alabama. Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide still have road trips to Tennessee and LSU sandwiched around that game with Mizzou.
The Volunteers could forge a path to the SEC title game with a win over the Crimson Tide at home or at Georgia. The SEC race for league championship and the bye in the CFP is just starting to heat up.
As of this writing, (3) Utah, (7) Oregon and (12) Boise State are still in action.
College Football Playoff
Quarterfinals
| Date | Game / Location | Projection |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 1 | Sugar Bowl New Orleans | (1) Texas vs. (8/9) Winner |
| Jan. 1 | Rose Bowl Pasadena, Calif. | (2) Ohio State vs. (7/10) Winner |
| Jan. 1 | Peach Bowl Atlanta | (4) Miami vs. (5/12) Winner |
| Dec. 31 | Fiesta Bowl Glendale, Ariz. | (3) Utah vs. (6/11) Winner |
First round
| Date | Location | Projection | Winner faces |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 20 or 21 | Bryant-Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, Alabama | (5) Alabama vs. (12) Boise State | (4) Miami |
| Dec. 20 or 21 | Jack Trice Stadium Ames, Iowa | (8) Iowa State vs. (9) Penn State | (1) Georgia |
| Dec. 20 or 21 | Autzen Stadium Eugene, Ore. | (6) Oregon vs. (11) Clemson | (3) Utah |
| Dec. 20 or 21 | Sanford Stadium Athens, Ga, | (7) Georgia vs. (10) Michigan | (2) Ohio State |
Be sure to check back on Sunday morning for Jerry Palm's full list of bowl projections.