In anticipation of the upcoming College Football Playoff selection, Alabama’s Crimson Tide is on the brink of making its ninth playoff appearance in the last eleven seasons, barring an upset in the ACC championship game between Clemson and SMU on Saturday. Currently, Alabama holds the No. 11 ranking in the College Football Playoff (CFP) selection committee’s latest poll, just ahead of the Miami Hurricanes.
Alabama has experienced a challenging season under first-year coach Kalen DeBoer, with three losses including a significant 24-3 defeat to Oklahoma on November 23. Conversely, the Hurricanes suffered a close loss to Syracuse on Saturday, their second of the season, which puts them in a precarious position regarding playoff eligibility.
Since neither Alabama nor Miami secured a spot in their respective conference championship games, the likelihood of Miami surpassing Alabama in the final rankings remains low. The selection committee has stated that teams not participating in championship games will not see a change in their rankings, as no new data points are available for evaluation.
Warde Manuel, the committee chairman, explained that Alabama’s performance against ranked teams and their overall record, compared to Miami’s recent slump—including two losses in three games—has solidified the Tide’s position. Alabama boasts a record of 3-1 against ranked teams and 6-1 against teams with winning records.
As the playoff picture unfolds, Oregon leads the rankings, followed by Texas, Penn State, Notre Dame, and Georgia. The final playoff rankings will be revealed on Sunday, with implications for Alabama’s playoff hopes still in play if Clemson were to win Saturday’s game, potentially impacting Alabama’s positioning against SMU for one of the final spots.
Miami’s ranking has drawn criticism from its conference, with ACC commissioner Jim Phillips expressing disappointment over the Hurricanes’ drop to No. 12. Coach Mario Cristobal argued that Miami, with its ten wins and narrow losses, deserves better consideration for an at-large playoff spot.
Looking ahead to the potential playoff matchups, the excitement is palpable for college football fans, as the top four conference champions are set to get first-round byes in the new 12-team format. The upcoming games on December 20 and 21 will determine the path to the CFP National Championship scheduled for January 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
In conclusion, the final rankings and playoff selections will hinge on the outcomes of the upcoming championship games, and Alabama, with its history and competitive edge, stands hopeful for yet another playoff appearance. The anticipation surrounding these games highlights the unpredictability and excitement that college football fans cherish during this time of year.