Representing the SEC in a championship clash of the titans, Alabama and Georgia met in Atlanta last weekend for conference glory. 

Backed by an elite showing from quarterback Gunner Stockton, the Bulldogs rolled the Tide 28-7, punching their ticket to a first round bye in the playoffs. The junior signal caller dominated Bama’s defense, completing 20 of his 26 passes for 156 yards and three touchdowns.

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson struggled to find any momentum in this game, completing just 48% of his passes, while throwing an equal amount of one interception and a touchdown.

Simpson’s struggles were overshadowed however by Alabama’s abysmal run game against Georgia. A Bulldogs defense that resembled the dominant Kirby Smart groups of the past, held the Crimson Tide to -3 rushing yards on the day.

The Volunteers will play in their fourth Music City Bowl in program history on Dec. 30 against a tough Illinois team that went 8-4 this season.

Illinois senior quarterback Luke Altmyer will cap off an impressive collegiate career against a Tennessee team who allegedly tried to poach him from Urbana-Champaign last offseason.

The Vols will have the opportunity to close out their season in the win column against a more than formidable opponent. I anticipate quarterback Joey Aguilar and his top 10 offense to give Vols fans something to cheer for, as they dominate the Fighting Illini in this one.

Tennessee 45, Illinois 27

I don't think LSU fans are losing any sleep over this game. Having locked in Lane Kiffin as their coach for next year, the Tigers will play the Texas Bowl with next season on their mind. Houston will be able to capitalize on this, upsetting the Tigers.

A talented group led by quarterback Conner Weigman (2,475 yards, 21 TDs) will shock the SEC and get a big-time victory for the Cougars over LSU.

Houston 28, LSU 27

Battling for the chance to shower their coach in mayonnaise, the Bulldogs of Mississippi State earned a bowl game berth and will clash with Wake Forest on Jan. 2. 

Mississippi State has played several tough SEC opponents this season and has shown an ability to hang around in games against superior teams. Facing an inferior Wake Forest team, I expect the Bulldogs, led by QB Blake Shapen, to win a dogfight with Wake Forest, capturing this year's Duke's Mayo Bowl trophy.

Mississippi State 35, Wake Forest 31

Missouri has looked impressive all season, but didn't have enough to reach the upper tier of talent within the SEC. 

Similar to the Tigers, the Virginia Cavaliers have been on a major come up in recent years, with the apex coming this season. Falling just shy of capturing an ACC title and a playoff spot, Virginia now gets the opportunity to show their stuff against an SEC opponent. Ending their season with a one-sided bowl game victory, Missouri will stop the Cavaliers in their tracks, once again showing an ACC program, the power of the SEC.

Missouri 37, Virginia 18 

With three losses on its record, it was hard to see a scenario where Texas would sneak into the College Football Playoffs. But after their nightmares became reality, the Longhorns now find themselves set to clash with Michigan in the Citrus Bowl.

Michigan got the best of its SEC bowl opponent last season, beating Alabama 19-13 in the ReliaQuest Bowl. This time around the Big Ten will fall to a superior SEC team, as the Longhorns' defense stifles Bryce Underwood and the Wolverines offense.

Texas 24, Michigan 13

After failing to be selected for the CFP, Vanderbilt's historic 2025 season will come to an end in Tampa, Florida against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Dec. 31

Heisman trophy finalist and Vanderbilt golden-boy quarterback Diego Pavia will lead his team into battle for likely the final time against a Big Ten Iowa team with a record fails to encapsulate its true talent. Recording close losses to ranked opponents in Oregon and USC this season, the Hawkeyes serve as a valiant opponent for the Commodores in this game. However, given the way that Clark Lea has this Vandy team playing, I see Pavia and his squad hoisting the ReliaQuest Bowl trophy once the final whistle is blown.

Vanderbilt 34, Iowa 27

With the chance at redemption against the Sooners, Alabama will travel to Norman, Okla. on Dec. 19 for the first round of the CFP.

After a brutal loss to OU in Tuscaloosa this season, Kalen DeBoer and the Tide enter this game with something to prove. Expect quarterback Ty Simpson to have a bounce back game after his lackluster SEC championship performance, carrying Alabama to a gritty road win over John Mateer and the Sooners.

Alabama 27, Oklahoma 19

Miami quarterback and former Georgia Bulldogs star Carson Beck makes his return to an SEC environment on Dec. 20 as he brings his Hurricanes into College Station to do battle with the Aggies.

The Hurricanes barely squeaked into the playoffs, and I anticipate them making just as quick of an exit. Led by sophomore quarterback Marcel Reed (2,932 yards, 25 TDs), a talented A&M offense will continue to impress against an ACC opponent in a rowdy home playoff atmosphere.

Texas A&M 37, Miami 24

Tulane's 2025 run of success will come to an end in Oxford on Dec. 20 as the Green Wave falls to the Rebels of Ole Miss. A Group of 5 school like the Green Wave has no business winning a game on the road against a top 10 SEC team. They couldn't get it done last time, and they simply do not have the resources to be victorious this time around. Add in the giant Kiffin-less chip on Ole Miss's shoulder and this game will get ugly quick.

Ole Miss 48, Tulane 17