ESPN college football analyst Heather Dinich just dropped her latest College Football Playoff (CFP) projections after Week 6. She’s got the Southeastern Conference (SEC) all over her top 12—seven SEC squads, to be exact.
But, thanks to the rule that only the five highest-ranked conference champs get automatic bids, just six of those SEC teams make her actual CFP bracket. Dinich’s top seed? The Miami Hurricanes. Her list also features Texas A&M, Ole Miss, and Alabama.
So, what does this all mean for the SEC teams fighting for a CFP spot?
SEC Teams Dominate Dinich’s CFP Projections
Dinich’s picks really show off how tough the SEC is this season. Here’s who made her cut:
- Texas A&M Aggies at No. 4
- Ole Miss Rebels at No. 5
- Alabama Crimson Tide at No. 6
- Georgia Bulldogs at No. 8
- Tennessee Volunteers at No. 11
- LSU Tigers at No. 12
The SEC’s depth is wild this year. Dinich’s top 12 is stacked with teams that could shake things up as the season rolls along.
Texas A&M Aggies
The Aggies are sitting pretty at 5-0 and land at No. 4 in Dinich’s projections. They just handled Mississippi State, 31-9.
Up next, they host Florida in College Station. That one’s huge for A&M if they want to keep their perfect record and CFP hopes alive.
Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss, at No. 5, is also unbeaten at 5-0. Their 24-19 win over then-No. 4 LSU turned some heads and proved they’re legit.
This weekend, they’ll host Washington State. If they pull that off, their playoff chances only get better.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama bounced back from an early loss and now sits at 4-1, ranked No. 6. They’ve rattled off four straight wins, including upsets over then-No. 5 Georgia and then-No. 16 Vanderbilt.
Next up is No. 14 Missouri. It’s a big test, and honestly, who’s betting against Bama right now?
Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia, No. 8 in the rankings, showed some grit after losing to Alabama. They came back strong with a 35-14 win over Kentucky.
This week, they’re on the road at Auburn. If Georgia can pull that off, they stay in the thick of the CFP race.
Tennessee Volunteers and LSU Tigers
Tennessee and LSU round out the SEC’s presence, at No. 11 and No. 12. Both were off last week, but things are about to heat up.
Tennessee will host Arkansas, while LSU faces South Carolina. These are the kind of games that can make or break their playoff dreams.
Non-SEC Teams in Dinich’s CFP Bracket
SEC teams might be everywhere in these projections, but Dinich’s bracket isn’t just an SEC party. Here’s who else is in the mix:
- Miami Hurricanes (No. 1 overall seed)
- Ohio State
- Oregon
- Oklahoma Sooners
- Indiana
- Texas Tech
- Memphis (American champion over No. 12 LSU)
Miami’s been especially impressive, earning Dinich’s top spot. The rest of these teams have put together strong seasons too—no real shockers here.
Miami Hurricanes
Miami grabs Dinich’s No. 1 seed, and honestly, it’s hard to argue with that. They’ve looked dangerous on both sides of the ball.
They’re in a great position to lock up a CFP spot if they keep this up. There’s a bit of a buzz around them this year.
Ohio State and Oregon
Ohio State and Oregon are right there in the mix. Both teams have been steady all season, and their spots in the bracket feel well-earned.
Their upcoming games could shuffle things, though. Nothing’s set in stone yet.
Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma, slotted at No. 7, has fought through injuries but keeps winning. Their 44-0 blowout of Kent State, with backup QB Michael Hawkins Jr. taking the reins, says a lot about their depth.
Next up is Texas in the Red River Shootout. That’s always a wild one—who knows what’ll happen?
Indiana and Texas Tech
Indiana and Texas Tech also sneak into Dinich’s bracket. Both have had strong stretches and could make some noise if they stay hot.
They’re not the favorites, but hey, surprises happen every year.
Memphis
Memphis gets in as the American Conference champ, edging out LSU for that No. 12 seed. It’s a reminder that conference championships really matter for CFP bids.
Conclusion
Heather Dinich’s latest CFP projections really highlight just how strong the SEC is looking this season. Seven SEC teams landed in her top 12, and six of those made her CFP bracket.
Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and LSU are all in the mix. Their performances could shape how the rest of the season plays out.
It’s not just the SEC, though. Teams like Miami, Ohio State, and Oregon are also hanging around with a shot to shake things up in the CFP race.
If you’re curious about all the details, you can check out Dinich’s full projections over at Saturday Down South.
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