Week 12 of the college football season brought notable shifts in the SEC standings and the postseason landscape. A surprising turn of events occurred as No. 4 Alabama suffered a rare defeat at home, falling to No. 10 Oklahoma with a score of 23-21. The loss marked the end of the Crimson Tide’s eight-game winning streak and snapped a remarkable 17-game home win streak under head coach Kalen DeBoer.
In a thrilling comeback, No. 3 Texas A&M narrowly escaped a home upset against South Carolina. Trailing 30-3 at halftime, the Aggies mounted an impressive offensive resurgence led by Marcel Reed, ultimately winning the game 31-30. This victory marks a significant achievement, as it is the first time an SEC team has won after being down by at least 27 points since 2004.
In another top-10 face-off, No. 5 Georgia triumphed over No. 10 Texas, defeating the Longhorns 35-10 at Sanford Stadium. Under head coach Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs remain firmly in contention for the SEC championship game, which they have previously reached seven times.
Elsewhere in the SEC, No. 7 Ole Miss fended off a challenge from Florida, while No. 20 Tennessee secured a decisive 42-9 victory against New Mexico State, concluding its non-conference schedule on a high note. Additionally, LSU marked a turning point by claiming its first win under interim head coach Frank Wilson, thanks to a late touchdown pass from Michael Van Buren Jr. that propelled the Tigers past Arkansas.
As the dust settles after Week 12, the rankings reflect these intense matchups. Ohio State leads the US LBM Coaches Poll, followed by teams like Texas A&M, Georgia, and Ole Miss, all highlighted among the top contenders. The AP Top 25 rankings will be updated shortly, providing further insight into this dynamic season.
With the championship races heating up and teams fighting for playoff positions, fans can look forward to an exhilarating conclusion to the college football season.