Alabama football is facing a challenging bowl season as uncertainty looms over its postseason prospects. The Crimson Tide experienced a disappointing 24-3 loss to Oklahoma, resulting in its first three-loss season since 2010. This defeat not only secures Alabama’s absence from the SEC championship but also significantly diminishes its chances of qualifying for the College Football Playoff.
Given the loss to the Sooners, Alabama is on track to potentially make its second non-College Football Playoff bowl appearance in three years. Their regular season will conclude with a home matchup against Auburn, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT this Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium, which fans can watch on ABC.
In light of the recent developments, experts have begun to outline possible bowl destinations for Alabama football. Here are the latest bowl projections:
– ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura forecasts Alabama will face Illinois in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on December 31 at 2 p.m. CT.
– Mark Schlabach from ESPN predicts a match against Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl at 11 a.m. CT the same day.
– CBS Sports and 247Sports also project a showdown with Illinois in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
– College Football Network suggests a game against Baylor in the Texas Bowl at 2:30 p.m. CT, also on December 31.
Despite the unexpected turn of events this season, Alabama has a chance to end on a high note. The upcoming game against Auburn could serve as a critical opportunity for the Crimson Tide to regain momentum, and a strong performance in the bowl game may set the stage for a more promising season in 2025.
As college football fans, the final matchups and bowl games will still offer exciting opportunities for teams to showcase their talent and end the season on a positive note. The spirit of competition remains alive, and there’s always the potential for redemption and growth in the offseason for teams like Alabama.