There is a new debate among SEC fans surrounding whether or not it’s worth making the SEC Championship game. In years past it always was worth it because winning the conference was essentially a requirement to make it into the College Football Playoff. But now that the field has expanded to 12 teams, winning the SEC isn’t needed to make the 12-team bracket.
Sure if a team is having a great season and is undefeated or has one loss than making the SEC title game is desirable. At that point this team would be a lock to make the CFP already, even if they were to lose the SEC Championship game.
But the SEC has a logjam of teams at two losses who are currently in the 12-team field. However, one more loss and they’d be on the outside looking in. And fans are discussing if it’s worth making it to Atlanta knowing that a loss could kick them out of CFP.
Kirby Smart was recently asked about this, and his answer shouldn’t surprise anyone.
"I don't think that's a hypothetical that — the focus is on UMass, I mean it really is," Smart said via 247sports.com. "So why would I put energy or time into trying to figure out what the best pathway is, including the SEC Championship, when I'm worried about UMass? I just don't think it's a quality conversation."
Kirby Smart isn’t focused on the tiebreakers that get Georgia to Atlanta
At this point in the season, Georgia needs some help if they’re going to make it to Atlanta for the SEC Championship game. A few scenarios get them into this title game, but the simplest is needing Alabama to win.
So many Georgia fans, knowing they have two losses already, are hoping the Tide win out so UGA doesn’t risk getting their third loss in the championship game.
This is a strange dilemma because for the entire existence of Georgia football, the goal has been to win the SEC. But now there is a lot of value to missing the title game this year because UGA has two losses.
Whatever ends up happening won’t be the worst thing in the word. Either Georgia falls short of the SEC Championship game which locks their place in the CFP, or Georgia makes it to Atlanta and has a chance to win a championship and earn a top 4 seed in the playoffs.
Regardless of what happens to Georgia, there will be a two loss SEC team playing in Atlanta this season. So it will be very interesting to see how the committee handles that team if they lose in the SEC Championship game.