SEC Football Unfiltered

Tennessee needs help. The Vols won't be in full control of their quest for the College Football Playoff after losing at Georgia, marking Tennessee's second loss.

And while Tennessee retains multiple avenues to receive an assist into the playoff, the most interesting one might be this: Lincoln Riley and his USC Trojans revive and beat Notre Dame in the regular-season finale, thereby spoiling the Irish's playoff hopes.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams take stock of Tennessee's playoff chances. They also debate whether Texas should be a CFP qualifier if it suffers a second loss, and they consider whether Alabama should really want to play in the SEC championship game.

They also take the temperature of Brian Kelly's warming seat at LSU.

Finally, Week 13 picks against the spread!

The CFP picture gained no clarity Saturday. In fact, it became more opaque after No. 3 Georgia fell to Ole Miss and No. 4 Miami went down against unranked Georgia Tech.

Miami and Georgia remain in the mix, but make room for Ole Miss. It’s getting crowded on that playoff bubble, and you’d need a spreadsheet to tell you who’s best in line to make the SEC championship game.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams engage with a few CFP hypothetical situations in which there are too many teams for too-few spots, and they determine who’s in and out in each situation.

The also explain why Kirby Smart will stick with struggling quarterback Carson Beck with Georgia's season on the line against Tennessee, and they unpack Florida's decision to retain Billy Napier,.

Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss have a chance to offset a loss to Kentucky from earlier this season when the Rebels face Georgia on Saturday. Oddsmakers put this game on a razor’s edge, and the Bulldogs suddenly look vulnerable.

And if Ole Miss pulls it off, then what?

The Rebels would re-enter the playoff picture and crowd the bubble, and Kiffin would remain a top choice for ravenous Florida fans who are ready to throw overboard floundering coach Billy Napier.

On today’s episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams examine this critical moment for Kiffin and Ole Miss. They discuss whether Florida could seriously pursue Kiffin if Ole Miss makes the playoff, and they weigh the candidacy of Indiana’s Curt Cignetti for Florida.

Also in this episode, a conversation on Alabama at LSU: Who needs this game more, Kalen DeBoer, or Brian Kelly? Plus, a surprising hot-seat candidate has emerged in recent weeks.

Finally, Week 11 picks against the spread!

Florida's Billy Napier still owns the hottest seat in the SEC.

The nation's most volatile conference had a quiet spin of the coaching carousel for two months. Arkansas' Sam Pittman inches his way off the hot seat. Auburn's Hugh Freeze bought himself a moment of calm by beating Kentucky.

Even the long-embattled Napier marches on in his third season with the improving Gators. Napier's about to launch into the murderer's row portion of the schedule when Florida faces Georgia on Saturday.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams apply the true-or-false test to the SEC's hot seat before evaluating a few College Football Playoff scenarios.

Also in this episode, what's the verdict: Was Texas A&M's Mike Elko casting shade at Jimbo Fisher (or Brian Kelly) or not? Finally, Week 10 picks against the spread!

The College Football Playoff bubble is becoming awfully crowded.

As many as eight teams in the SEC could finish the regular season at 10-2. The Big Ten pushes for three or more bids. The ACC and Big 12 are shaping up as two-bid leagues. Notre Dame won't go away. How would the committee wade through that mess? 

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams update their 12-team playoff projections. Within the SEC, they differ on one key team, while Adams boldly picks a Big Ten sleeper to claim the final at-large bid.

Also in this episode, an examination of Georgia's credentials to be labeled the "team to beat," plus an update on the race between Billy Napier and Hugh Freeze to be the first SEC coach fired. Finally, Week 9 picks against the spread!

They're starting to sweat in Tennessee. They're pulling their hair out in Alabama. They're wondering in Georgia when the mean machine broke down. And at Ole Miss? Oof. It's bleak.

Robust Texas looks like a near-lock for the College Football Playoff. Elsewhere in the SEC, it's hold on tight.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams bust out the panic meter and take a reading of Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Ole Miss, and they're pounding the panic button for one of those four programs.

Later in the episode, a temperature check on Billy Napier's situation at Florida and a discussion of who could replace Napier, if not Lane Kiffin.

And, of course, Week 8 picks against the spread!

Alabama football suffered one of its most humiliating moments in the proud history of its blue-blooded program on Saturday when Vanderbilt stunned, shocked and embarrassed the Tide.

Tennessee, knowing misery loves company, provided rival Alabama a little comfort by losing to Arkansas.

And Missouri got unmasked as a fraud in College Station.

The SEC's playoff picture is topsy-turvy, and, on today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams offer a playoff reset for the conference. Only Texas looks safe, while Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and others may continue to sweat their playoff chances.

Plus, Week 7 picks against the spread!

Georgia could get off the mat and win the national championship after losing to Alabama. The Bulldogs have that level of talent.

Or, alternatively, Georgia could miss the College Football Playoff entirely, in what would be a stunning way to begin the 12-team playoff era.

Meanwhile, Auburn’s Hugh Freeze has elbowed his way onto the hot seat to give Florida’s Billy Napier and Arkansas’ Sam Pittman company.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams apply a true-or-false verdict to a number of situations unfolding around the conference.

Among topics of discussion: Will Hugh Freeze be fired? Is Georgia going to miss the playoff? Will Lane Kiffin be the next Florida coach? Would Mark Stoops be a better choice for the Gators?

Also, Week 6 picks against the spread!

It’s not the “Game of the Century,” but it is the Game of September.

No. 1 Georgia at No. 4 Alabama.

This is Kirby Smart’s latest opportunity to prove he rules college football in the absence of Nick Saban.

It’s Kalen DeBoer’s chance to show that the Alabama job is not too big for him, that the Tide selected the proper heir to Saban.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams preview Saturday’s clash of titans in Tuscaloosa and debate which coach needs a win in this game more.

Later in the episode, a look at how Tennessee sizzles, and Hugh Freeze fizzles at Auburn. Finally, Week 5 picks against the spread!

It's not a college football coaching search if Urban Meyer's name doesn't appear atop a fan base's wish list.

'Hire Urb! Back up the Brinks truck. Make him say no!'

Great plan, but what's idea No. 2 when Urb's Audi doesn't come roaring down University Avenue?

Better yet, what's idea No. 3 if Lane Kiffin says no?

Where would Florida football turn then when the time comes to replace Billy Napier? (Don't say Nick Saban. Not happening.)

On today's episode, host Blake Toppmeyer serves up nine potential candidates whom the Gators might consider when they inevitably cut the check to move on from Napier. Co-host John Adams rejects most of Toppmeyer's ideas before offering a rebuttal candidate that might be the most intriguing option of all.

Plus, Week 4 picks against the spread!