SEC standings: What Alabama's win over LSU means for College Football Playoff

SEC standings: What Alabama's win over LSU means for College Football Playoff originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Alabama went on the road and beat LSU 31-13, delivering a third loss to LSU's Lane Kiffin in his first season in Baton Rouge. The Tide victory both boosts Alabama's College Football Playoff resume and improves its chances to play for an SEC title.

Here's a look at the SEC standings after Alabama's win over LSU, and check in on the other CFP contenders in the conference during Week 10.

Alabama dominates LSU

This game felt like it was going to be low-scoring early, as it was tied at 3-all after the first quarter. Alabama took a 10-3 lead in the second quarter with a Ryan Coleman-Williams one-yard touchdown run.

But LSU's offense came alive in the second half, scoring 10 points to take a 13-10 lead with 2:44 left in the third quarter.

LSU takes the lead over Alabama ‼️ pic.twitter.com/rammWvkqFP

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) November 7, 2026

But it was all Alabama at the end of the game, as the Tide scored 21 unanswered points in the game's final 17 minutes. Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell threw for 206 yards and three touchdowns. His second touchdown pass of the night was an absolute dime to Cederian Morgan:

LSU takes the lead over Alabama ‼️ pic.twitter.com/rammWvkqFP

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) November 7, 2026

The loss for LSU marks the first for the Tigers at home, and the second consecutive win for head coach Kalen Deboer against LSU in Baton Rouge.

Here's where things stand for LSU and the rest of the SEC after Saturday's result in Baton Rouge.

Breaking down SEC playoff contenders

The SEC had a whopping 10 teams ranked in the initial CFP rankings, including five inside the Top-12. Here's a look at the remaining contenders inside the conference and where they stand.

No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs (8-1, 6-1)

Georgia got a dominant 42-6 win on the road against Trinidad Chambliss. This one got out of hand early, as the Dawgs led 21 early in the second quarter. Chambliss threw an interception and he had a fumble in the third quarter. With the dominant road victory, the Dawgs have put themselves above the pack both in the SEC and compared to the rest of the country.

The Bulldogs have just one loss to Auburn, but already have signature wins over Alabama and Florida. The Bulldogs have remaining games against ranked opponents in Missouri and South Carolina. It's hard to imagine the Dawgs losing the rest of the regular season after how good they've looked in recent weeks, however.

No. 6 Kentucky Wildcats (7-2, 5-2)

Kentucky had its biggest test of the season thus far this week, going on the road to face No. 13 Tennessee. The Wildcats had three turnovers and lost 36-6 to the Vols in a disappointing loss for Will Stein's team. The Wildcats still have ranked wins over LSU and South Carolina, but also have a 45-17 loss to Alabama.

Kentucky will have to make up some ground with the los, still set to play ranked opponents in Florida and Missouri, as well as the regular-season finale against Louisville at home.

No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide (7-2, 5-2)

Alabama got its biggest win of the season this week, going on the road and beating No. 14 LSU 31-13 with a dominant fourth quarter. The Tide have big wins over Kentucky on the road earlier this season, with losses to Georgia and Tennessee. Alabama does not have any ranked opponents remaining in Vanderbilt, Chattanooga and Auburn.

No. 7 Texas Longhorns (7-2, 4-2)

Texas got another massively impressive road win on Saturday, with a 34-20 road win over No. 18 Missouri. The Longhorns have one of the most impressive resumes in the county, with signature wins over Ohio State earlier in the season, a road win over Tennessee and a 34-27 win over Ole Miss at home two weeks ago.

The Longhorns can add to that resume, as Texas goes on the road to face LSU next week.

MORE: Texas strengthens resume with win at Mizzou

No. 10 Ole Miss (6-3, 4-3)

Ole Miss got drubbed at home against Georgia at home during a game that felt over before the second quarter. The problem for Ole Miss is that they now have three losses, and not nearly enough signature wins to make up for those.

The Rebels' signature wins include the 32-24 win over LSU, and a dominant 31-3 win over Missouri. The Rebels worst loss was the 52-28 road loss to Florida in Week 4, and the Gators will be out of the rankings by next week after losing 23-7 to Oklahoma at home.

Unfortunately there are no chances for Ole Miss to make a lasting impression on the committee. The Rebels have no remaining ranked opponents after the Georgia game and will close with Oklahoma, Wofford and Mississippi State.

No. 13 Tennessee (7-2, 4-2)

The Vols got a huge 34-6 victory over Kentucky, which should boost their ratings in the coming week by the CFP.

Tennessee can add to its resume with a win over LSU in two weeks, and it will also play at Texas A&M and Vanderbilt the rest of the season.

No. 14 LSU Tigers (6-3, 3-3)

LSU's 31-13 loss to Alabama gave the Tigers their third loss on the season. Usually that would knock a team out of the CFP, but with remaining games against Texas and Tennessee, LSU is still alive.

MORE: Breaking down LSU's CFP hopes after Alabama loss

No. 18 Missouri Tigers (6-3, 3-3)

Missouri lost to Texas at home. But just like LSU, Missouri has a chance to get some big resume boosters in the coming weeks, set to play both Georgia and Kentucky in the next two weeks.

MORE: Eli Drinkwitz holds his tongue on officials in Texas game

No. 23 South Carolina Gamecocks (6-3, 4-3)

South Carolina improved to 6-3 with a 17-9 win over Texas A&M on Saturday. The Gamecocks have signature wins over the likes of Florida, Tennessee, with losses to Alabama and Kentucky.

The Gamecocks still have to play Georgia at home on Nov. 21.