By: JJ Lanier

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

If Georgia upsets Alabama Saturday night, then the playoff field will be set, I believe, regardless of any other outcomes: Georgia, Notre Dame, Alabama, and Clemson. (And yes, even if Clemson were to lose to Pittsburgh- which I don’t think will happen- I would still put them in ahead of both Oklahoma and Ohio State.)

If the SEC Championship game winds up being a repeat of last year’s national championship, and Alabama escapes victorious, I don’t think all is lost for UGA fans.

However, I will admit there’s a better chance of me waking up tomorrow with Brad Pitt’s “Fight Club” body than the Bulldogs joining the playoffs for the second straight year. I just don’t think it’s impossible.

The obvious way it could work out is that Georgia plays Alabama tough and both Oklahoma and Ohio State lose their respective championship games.

Georgia’s overall body of work would be better than Ohio State’s and it would be difficult to put in an Oklahoma team that would’ve lost twice to the same team, Texas.

To be honest, even if Ohio State wins, I’m not sure I put them in over Georgia. (I realize I may be the only non-Georgia fan who believes this. I don’t know, maybe after all these years I’m finally starting to warm up to the ol’ Dawgs. Nah, it’s probably the egg nog speaking.)

I don’t think OSU beating a Northwestern team that basically won their division by default is that much of a game changer. I’d still take a two loss Georgia team over a one loss Ohio State.

So, in my eyes, it really comes down to the Oklahoma/Texas game.

The Sooners are in a very similar situation to the one Georgia was in last year; a one loss team, playing in their conference championship game against the team that gave them their only blemish on the season. And much like Georgia last year, it will be nearly impossible to keep Oklahoma out of the playoffs, in this particular scenario, if they win.

As I alluded to above though, if Oklahoma loses I would still go with a two loss Georgia over a two loss Oklahoma.

The Big 12 title game will take place before the SEC, so Georgia fans will have a better idea of the scenarios that may play out, before their game begins.

Look, as difficult as it is for me to say this, I just feel Georgia is the better team between them, Ohio State, and Oklahoma. So, unless it’s just obvious that one of the latter two is more deserving of a playoff appearance than Georgia, the Bulldogs should get the edge.

I don’t think Georgia will win, but I do believe they’re good enough to play the Tide close. When you consider how Alabama has pretty much steam rolled through their schedule, being able to keep close will say an awful lot, if Georgia is able to do that.

Of course, they could completely take away all the suspense by just winning the damn game, but obviously that’s a little bit easier said than done.

If it does play out where there is no clear cut fourth team, it will be interesting to see what the committee does and what they prioritize. I’ve made it clear I think Georgia should be the team, but then again, I also think UCF should be in the conversation, so what do I know. But, that’s an entirely different story for another day.