SEC’s Last Call: Week 14 SEC Betting Lines

“Look how they massacred my boy!” This is an iconic scene in Godfather I. Don Corleone stands above his son Sonny’s lifeless body on the mortician’s table. The pain and anguish are heard from the Godfather’s mouth, seen in his facial expressions, and felt by those of us who have watched the scene, no matter if it is the first or 100th time. You have to think there was a similar reaction from SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey after Week 13’s horror show.

The SEC had six teams in contention for as many as five spots in the College Football Playoff. Sure, three teams were on the road, but they were against teams with .500 or worse records. What’s the worst that could happen? Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Alabama found out. Each of the three lost and eliminated them from playoff consideration. Sankey is left scrambling to see if he can make CFB chair Ward Manuel an offer he and the committee can’t refuse. This sets the stage for your Week 14 SEC preview.

Still Alive

The SEC has gone from six teams alive to just three as we head into the season’s final weekend. Texas (#3), Georgia (#7), and Tennessee #8 are holding the banner for the conference. The math is pretty simple for these three. Win your final Week 14 SEC games, and you’re in the playoff. As we learned last weekend, it’s never that easy. Texas and Tennessee are on the road at Texas A&M and Vanderbilt, respectively.

The winner in College Station punches their ticket to Atlanta to play Georgia for the SEC Championship. Should the Longhorns lose this weekend, they would finish the season 10-2 but would be far from a lock to be in. The Horns would not have a Top 25 win on their schedule despite being ranked in the Top 3 for most of the season.

Tennessee has to deal with the SEC’s problem child, Diego Pavia and Vanderbilt. Sure, some of the shine has worn off the Commodores, but this is a team that can still boast a home win against Alabama this season. The Vols will have to tread carefully and not want to fall to 9-3 on the season. A three-loss SEC team is far less likely to find its way into the playoffs this season.

Georgia is at home to face the Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech. Although the Dawgs have dominated the series, the Yellow Jackets have shown plenty of punch this season. They knocked off CFP Committee darling Miami a few weeks ago, and its mobile quarterback could give the Bulldogs fits. Georgia has had trouble starting quickly in games and letting teams hang around, as seen in Kentucky, Mississippi State, and last weekend against UMass. It is advised that Georgia continue to assert its dominance in the rivalry.

Outside Looking In

• No. 13 Alabama
• No. 14 Ole Miss
• No. 15 South Carolina
• No. 20 Texas A&M.

The three loss teams tanked their seasons and dashed Sankey’s hopes of the inaugural 2024 playoff, which means more SEC teams. Despite being the lowest-ranked team, the Aggies are still in prime position. Should they knock off the Longhorns, they would then play Georgia for a shot at their first SEC Championship and a first-round bye in the Playoff. Alabama, Ole, Miss, and South Carolina are lumped together in a pit of regret, wondering what could have been.

Should chaos again occur, ensure this weekend that Alabama and Ole  Miss are positioned to put themselves in for an at-large spot. For the Tide, it’s more the helmet than what they’ve done on the field. Sure, they beat Georgia in September, but that game didn’t feel like it did when Alabama was up 30-7 at the half.

Ole Miss and the Grove Collective are left wondering how a team with this much talent lost to Kentucky and Florida. Ole Miss had plenty of opportunities in each game, but gaffs on both sides of the ball may very well be why Lane Kiffin and the Rebels are on the outside looking in.

South Carolina is like Hansel. They are so hot right now! The Gamecocks keep improving and own the SEC’s longest winning streak. The problem is their two losses, a close one on the road in Tuscaloosa and getting blown out by Ole Miss. The Gamecocks have set themselves up for a strong 2025.

Week 14 SEC Betting Lines

How do we not have the Egg Bowl on Thanksgiving? We will try to look past this slight. Lost of ACC-SEC rivalries this week, plus we get to Iron Bowl. Your Week 14 SEC betting lines and game totals are courtesy of FanDuel. All games are Eastern Standard Time. Check the links for insights from your favorite Last Word on College Football writers. Happy Thanksgiving!