In last year’s 12-team playoff, no team was selected with more than 2 losses.  We all heard the wailing in Austin as Texas bellowed “we deserve to go” after they beat the hated Aggies to finish 9-3.  The Longhorns had some logic on their side as they chose to schedule a game in Columbus against Ohio State.  However, that argument fell on deaf ears when one realized that the Longhorns lost to 4-8 Florida.

Circumstances have changed in 2026.  With the powerful SEC going to a 9-game conference schedule, 8 more losses will be foisted on SEC squads.  The other supposedly powerful conference, the Big 10, has stubbed its toe in non-conference play:  its non-conference mark against other Power 4 teams is a putrid 4-10.  There appears to be no 2nd team in the ACC that one would categorize as excellent.

Thus, the Odyssey predicts that at least one SEC team will make the playoffs at 9-3.  Did you notice our “at least”?  Do not be shocked if 2 SEC teams qualify at 9-3.  In our opinion, the SEC deserves the benefit of the doubt in 2026.