The Southeastern Conference (SEC) will not have a team in the College Football Playoff national championship for the third consecutive season. Ole Miss was the last remaining SEC team in contention, but they lost 31-27 to the Hurricanes in the semi-finals.
The SEC last appeared in the national title game during the 2022 season, when Georgia secured the championship against TCU. Since that time, the conference has not reached the final game.
In contrast, the Big Ten conference has claimed the last two national titles with victories by Michigan and Ohio State. The Big Ten is also guaranteed to have a representative in this year's title game, as the other semi-final features Indiana and Oregon, both Big Ten teams.
This season, the SEC was allocated five opportunities to place a team in the national title game, but all teams were eliminated.