The SEC has lost the benefit of the doubt after another humbling CFP showing

The SEC's dominance in college football is being questioned following a disappointing performance in the College Football Playoff (CFP) this season. Ole Miss's 31-27 loss to Miami in the Fiesta Bowl marked the elimination of the last of five SEC teams in the CFP, with none reaching the title game for the third consecutive year. Despite having five teams in the playoff, including a three-loss Alabama squad, the conference failed to advance past the semifinals, with Ole Miss being the only team to make it that far by defeating another SEC team, Georgia.

The SEC's performance in the expanded 12-team CFP, which started two seasons ago, shows a record of 5-8, with only three wins coming against non-SEC opponents. This contrasts with the Big Ten's 9-4 record and the ACC's 3-2 record in the same period. The SEC's nonconference record against other Power Four conferences is 48-44, similar to the Big 12's