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SEC tiebreakers: Alabama vs. Texas-Texas A&M winner is new likeliest title game scenario

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SEC tiebreakers: Alabama vs. Texas-Texas A&M winner is new likeliest title game scenario


For all who love chaos, the potential eight-team tie for first place in the SEC is sadly over. The potential six-team tie, however, remains very much alive after Saturday’s action.

But clarity is nearing on who will play in the SEC championship: If no more upsets occur, Alabama would likely play the winner of the Texas at Texas A&M regular-season finale.

Of course, more upsets could occur.

Here are the updated standings at the top of the league. All three-loss teams are officially eliminated from championship game consideration because Georgia and one of Texas and Texas A&M are guaranteed to finish with two (or fewer) losses. That includes LSU and Missouri, which each suffered their third conference loss on Saturday.

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SEC standings

5-1

Kentucky, at Texas A&M

5-1

at Auburn, Texas

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6-2

5-2

at Vanderbilt

4-2

at Florida, Mississippi State

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4-2

at Oklahoma, Auburn

There is one clean, but not very likely, way for first and second place to be settled: Texas and Texas A&M both win next week, and Tennessee, Ole Miss and Alabama all lose at least one more game. That would leave Georgia playing the winner of Texas at Texas A&M.

Otherwise, this will come down to the newly installed SEC tiebreakers, which are all based on conference play, and also heavily contingent on teams playing each other — which most of the time they have not, thanks to a 16-team league in which each team plays an eight-game schedule.

GO DEEPER

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The first tiebreaker is head-to-head, whether among just two teams or three-plus teams. The second is record vs. common opponents. The third is record against top teams in the standings and working your way down, but that’s contingent on the teams involved in those first three tiebreakers having played the same teams. Georgia has played all the other contenders except Texas A&M, going 2-2, but Alabama has only played Georgia and Tennessee, Texas will have only played Georgia and Texas A&M, and so on. There are few if any scenarios where everyone involved in a tiebreaker will have played each other.

Simply put, it is unlikely any of the top three tiebreakers will settle it.

Therefore the most likely solution will be the fourth tiebreaker: The combined record of teams’ conference opponents, in essence, schedule strength. As of now, here are the combined opponents’ record for the six contenders, including future opponents. (But not assuming results of games yet to be played.)

Opponents’ records

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Alabama

27-26

Texas A&M

24-29

Georgia

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23-28

Texas

22-31

Tennessee

21-32

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Ole Miss

21-33

The records will change, but probably not too drastically, as there are just 12 conference games left. Again, the above standings already include each team’s future conference opponents’ records, just not any results. That’s why Alabama is in the best position right now — unless it loses at Oklahoma next week, or against Auburn. One loss and it’s out. The same goes for Ole Miss and Tennessee.

The picture got a bit clearer on Saturday. But it’s still murky enough to be interesting.

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(Photo of Alabama’s Ryan Williams: Brandon Sumrall / Getty Images)



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Talarico, Paxton campaigning in Texas this week. See events

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Talarico, Paxton campaigning in Texas this week. See events


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The two candidates vying for the U.S. Senate seat in Texas are making stops across the Lone Star State this week.

Democrat James Talarico and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will head to South Texas as the two go head-to-head in the Nov. 3 General Election to replace U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. Cornyn lost his reelection bid to Paxton in the Republican Primary Election.

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The campaign tour continues for Talarico after hosting townhalls in El Paso and Marfa as part of his “Frontera Tour,” while Paxton is holding a “Rally in the Valley” in McAllen.

Here’s where the candidates will be in Texas.

Paxton heads to McAllen for ‘Rally in the Valley’

Paxton is heading to McAllen for his “Rally in the Valley” event at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14. He’ll be joined by National Border Security Council President Paul Perez, TX-28 Nominee Tano Tijerina, and TX-34 Nominee Eric Flores.

The all-ages event will take place at University Draft House Townlake McAllen, 100 West Business 83, and spots can be reserved at eventbrite.com.

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Talarico to visit Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Laredo

Talarico continues his “Frontera” tour with a stop in Del Rio on Monday, July 14.

“Gather with your family, friends, and neighbors to hear from James about taking his fight against Big Money and corruption to Washington. Together, we can win back power for working people in a system that’s rigged for the ultra-wealthy,” the event page states, adding that the program will be short and voters can greet Talarico after.

Here are the stops on Talarico’s “Frontera” tour:

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Monday, July 13:

  • 3 p.m. Memo’s Restaurant, 804 E Losoya St. in Del Rio
  • 7 p.m. International Center For Trade, 3295 Bob Rogers Drive in Eagle Pass

Tuesday, July 14:

  • 6 p.m. La Posada – San Agustin Ballroom, 1000 Zaragoza St. 107 in Laredo

Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.



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Arrest made in death of North Texas teen Daniel Erving found in Lake Ray Hubbard

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Arrest made in death of North Texas teen Daniel Erving found in Lake Ray Hubbard




Arrest made in death of North Texas teen Daniel Erving found in Lake Ray Hubbard – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth



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Texas leaders question federal handling of fatal ICE shooting

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Texas leaders question federal handling of fatal ICE shooting


HOUSTON, Texas — Houston-area leaders on Saturday expressed frustration over what they described as a lack of cooperation from federal authorities following the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.

The shooting happened on Tuesday during an immigration operation. Federal officials said an ICE agent shot and killed the 52-year-old after he allegedly rammed a law enforcement vehicle and refused verbal commands during a traffic stop.

Three men detained during the operation have disputed the federal account of what happened.

RELATED | Illegal immigrant killed by ICE agent in Houston was not intended target, lawmaker says

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Rep. Christian Menefee, D-Texas, criticized the federal government’s handling of the case, questioning its characterization of Salgado Araujo and the use of masked ICE agents and unmarked vehicles during enforcement operations.

RELATED | Family speaks out after fatal ICE shooting as Austin rally calls for transparency

SEIU Texas President Elsa Flores called for greater transparency and accountability, saying officials should ensure a similar incident does not happen again and that those responsible are held accountable.



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