SEC Championship 2015: Predicting Teams for Title Game
The final regular-season weekend in SEC play is upon us, and the conference title game matchup has yet to be decided.
While the SEC East has been wrapped up by the Florida Gators, their opponent will not emerge until Saturday's SEC West contests unfold.
Here's a look at the details of the SEC Championship Game, followed by a breakdown of the contenders in each division and a prediction for the matchup:
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
| Dec. 5 | 4 p.m. | Florida vs. Alabama/Ole Miss | CBS |
SEC East: Florida
The last few weeks have been ugly for Florida, who narrowly escaped with victories over Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Florida Atlantic. But the Gators are 10-1 and have wrapped up the SEC East, finishing two games ahead of second-place Georgia.
Florida will host in-state rival Florida State on Saturday with an opportunity to redeem itself and regain some credibility with the College Football Playoff selection committee.
The Gators will be making their league-high 12th appearance in the SEC Championship Game—but their first since 2009. Florida last won the SEC title in 2008, led by Tim Tebow, en route to its last national championship.
Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee provided this quote from Florida head coach Jim McElwain:
"McElwain: "That SEC Championship Game has more energy and more juice than that national championship game." (he's right, BTW)
— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) November 25, 2015"
To have a shot this year, Florida will need more consistent play from quarterback Treon Harris. In his past three games, Harris has thrown four interceptions while accounting for just three touchdowns.
Against FAU, Harris completed only eight of 17 passes, a performance that he cannot repeat against an SEC opponent if the Gators hope to advance to the playoff.
SEC West: Alabama or Ole Miss
A heavy favorite to represent the SEC in the playoff, Alabama enters the weekend at No. 2 in the CFP rankings. However, the Crimson Tide have yet to clinch the SEC West.
With a victory over rival Auburn in Saturday's Iron Bowl, Alabama would wrap up the division with a 7-1 conference record.
If Alabama loses, however, Ole Miss would remain alive in the race.
The Rebels are the only two-loss team in the SEC West, and they handed Alabama its only loss of the season back in September. As a result, if the two teams finish tied atop the standings, Ole Miss would represent the SEC West in the conference title game for the first time in school history.
Ole Miss will first have to get past its own rival, Mississippi State, in the Egg Bowl, which is no small task. The Rebels have lost five straight games in Starkville, Mississippi.
Play-by-play radio announcer David Kellum shared this tidbit:
"Egg Bowl 1st note: This will be the 1st time in the series Ole Miss & State play in consecutive years w/both teams having at least 8 wins.
— David Kellum (@RebVoice) November 22, 2015"
If both Alabama and Ole Miss lose, the Tide would maintain sole possession of the division lead and advance to face Florida.
Prediction: Alabama defeats Auburn and clinches SEC West to face Florida in the title game.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
