Five SEC games that will shape the College Football Playoff

Last season was a disappointment for the mighty SEC in the first season of the 12-team College Football Playoff. The conference garnered three bids, but it failed to place a team in the championship game for the second straight season after eight straight such occurrences.

There's hype surrounding the league with Arch Manning's ascension to full-time starter at Texas and teams hoping to breakthrough in LSU and Florida. The mainstays of Alabama and Georgia will also be contenders.

Here are five SEC games that will shape the CFP in 2025:

Florida at LSU | Sept. 13

This is an early measuring stick for both teams as they kick off SEC play. Florida is hoping to cash in on the work head coach Billy Napier has done over the past three seasons. LSU's Brian Kelly is also hoping his team will ascend to new heights under his leadership in his fourth season.

"This is the best roster that we’ve put together," Kelly said according to On3. "It’s part of a process that has taken a little more time than we wanted, but we’re doing it the right way, and we’re pretty excited about what our football team looks like.”

For his part, Napier is also confident in his team's growth. 

"I think that's where we really took a big step in the right direction last year is we found a level of confidence that we could go toe to toe with any team in the country any place, anytime," he said at SEC Football Media Days. "You spot the ball last year — at the end of the year, you could argue we were playing as good of football as anybody in the country, and I think that that's a result of our development process."

Alabama at Georgia | Sept. 27

This is always going to be a big one. Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer went 9-4 in his first season, narrowly missing the CFP. Kirby Smart's team was dispatched by Notre Dame in the CFP quarterfinals.

Both squads will also be working with new quarterbacks. 

As teams jockey for position in the standings, it is paramount to win games like these. Should Alabama find itself in fourth place in the SEC once again, a win like this on its resume could be the difference in an invite or sitting at home.

Texas at Florida | Oct. 4

Texas is predicted to win the conference. At worst, it should enter this game 3-1 with a loss at Ohio State. But this game is important and won't be easy in The Swamp. The Longhorns' remaining schedule includes Oklahoma, at Georgia and at home against Texas A&M.

The Gators have the toughest schedule in the conference. To factor into the CFP conversation they must beat a team they aren't supposed to. Here's an opportunity.

Manning and DJ Lagway should provide great theater in the quarterback matchup. Manning is projected to get a Heisman invite, while Lagway has the skills to be in New York as well.

Texas A&M at LSU | Oct. 25

At this point, it will be getting late in the season and we should know whether these teams are in the conversation or not. It's become a natural rivalry since A&M joined the SEC and this one could have big implications on the CFP.

The Aggies will have already traveled to Notre Dame and hosted Florida. A date at Texas looms on Black Friday. A&M will most likely be in must-win territory to keep its hopes alive. 

An item to note heading into this one: the home team has won the last six games.

Texas at Georgia | Nov. 15

It's a good bet both of these teams will be in the CFP picture, but that doesn't mean this game doesn't matter. If teams want the first-round bye they must be ranked in the top four. Winning this game would go a long way to making that reality.

Yes, the SEC Championship could be a rematch, but for teams hoping to get an extra week of rest, this one will certainly mean something. Besides the CFP implications, it will be fascinating to watch Manning play against one of the best defenses in the country.