Four SEC programs that are desperate for a CFP bid

Bigger isn't always better, and in the case of the SEC, 16 teams means several are left at home during the annual College Football Playoff. 

Last season, the conference sent three teams (Texas, Georgia and Tennessee), while fans, and even coaches, from those whose bubble burst bickered over resumes.

As the 2025 season approaches, four programs in particular are desperate to receive one of the 12 invites. Due to the amount of money spent to upgrade facilities, hire coaches and attract on-field talent throughout the years, another missed opportunity could spell disaster.

1. LSU

This has to be the Tigers' year under Brian Kelly, right? They have a Heisman favorite in quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and they return three of their top seven pass catchers from 2024, along with a pair of wide receiver transfers from fellow SEC schools.

Kelly was hired to consistently take LSU to places like the CFP. He's close. He's 29-11 across three seasons, but the fan base is itching for the CFP instead of ho-hum ReliaQuest and Texas Bowls. At $9.9M per year, Kelly's salary ranks 10th among all head coaches in 2025. 

LSU brought in 18 transfers in its No. 1-ranked transfer class, according to 247Sports. Classes like that don't come cheap either, with On3 reporting in March that LSU was spending upwards of $25M to secure its roster through its NIL collective and the new revenue sharing.

The big issue facing LSU? The road schedule could be very dicey with trips to No. 6 Clemson, No. 15 Ole Miss, Oklahoma and No. 8 Alabama.

2. Alabama

If someone told you five years ago that the CFP would expand to 12 teams and Alabama would miss out it would have been almost inconceivable. 

But the Tide were on the outside looking in last season, left out in favor of 11-2 SMU. Head coach Kalen DeBoer has the difficult job of replacing a legend like Nick Saban and he narrowly missed the playoff with a 9-3 record.

Surely the Tide won't miss twice. DeBoer is reunited with offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb ($1M salary), whom he worked with at Washington. 

New quarterback Ty Simpson will be hooking up with explosive wide receiver Ryan Williams (48 catches, 865 yards, eight TD in 2024). The fourth-ranked overall transfer/recruit class also bodes well.

3. Texas A&M

The Aggies can spend money with the best of them. They're still paying a record buyout to former head coach Jimbo Fisher, which has caused financial issues.

Spending in the athletic department has surged from $194.6M to $243.8M, which is the fourth-highest increase among FBS public universities, according to SI.

Excluding the 2020 season, A&M has not played in a New Year's Six bowl game since 2012. With rival Texas rejuvenated under Steve Sarkisian and LSU looking to breakthrough, the Aggie fan base is ready to be a part of things. A road slate at No. 5 Notre Dame, No. 9 LSU, Missouri and No. 1 Texas will decide their fate.

4. Oklahoma

It wasn't long ago that Oklahoma was the poster child of college football. From 2015-21 OU never lost more than two games in a season. In the last three it is a combined 22-17. 

It's easy to fall from the top in college football. The Sooners don't have to look further than rival Nebraska. Now is the time to avoid such things. OU has the 17th-ranked overall class. Prior to an Oct. 11 showdown with Texas, OU has home games against Michigan and Auburn. Those are must-wins with a daunting SEC schedule to finish the season.