Heading into the ACC championship game on Saturday between Clemson and SMU, Alabama is poised for a potential return to the College Football Playoff (CFP) for the ninth time in 11 years. Currently ranked No. 11 in the penultimate CFP rankings, Alabama sits just ahead of Miami, which is notably at No. 12. Both teams have faced struggles this season; Alabama under new head coach Kalen DeBoer has suffered three losses, including a significant 24-3 defeat against Oklahoma.
Miami’s recent performance has not fared much better, as they fell to Syracuse in a nail-biter, 42-38. This defeat left Miami facing an uphill battle for playoff contention, especially since they would be the first team omitted from the 12-team playoff based on the current rankings, as the fifth-rated conference champion would surpass them. Lack of participation in conference championship games means both Alabama and Miami have limited opportunities to improve their standings before the final rankings are announced on Sunday.
CFP committee chairman Warde Manuel explained that because Alabama and Miami are not competing this weekend, their rankings will remain static. He emphasized that teams not playing are not able to be reassessed based on data points such as game performance, thus keeping their current rankings intact. Alabama’s record—3-1 against ranked opponents and 6-1 against teams with winning records—was contrasted with Miami’s 0-1 against ranked teams and 4-2 against teams above .500, resulting in Alabama receiving the committee’s edge in evaluation.
The top four teams are led by undefeated Oregon, followed by Texas, Penn State, and Notre Dame. A notable shift has been seen with Ohio State slipping to sixth place after a surprising loss to Michigan. The playoffs are set to begin soon, and currently projected matchups reflect the competitive nature of this year’s championship.
Although Alabama is positioned favorably, their standing isn’t guaranteed. A Clemson win in the championship could further complicate Alabama’s playoff hopes, as it could open the door for SMU or other contenders. Meanwhile, Miami’s ranking is a source of frustration for their conference, with ACC commissioner Jim Phillips expressing disappointment and urging the committee to reconsider Miami’s deserving placement.
As the playoffs approach, Miami’s head coach, Mario Cristobal, has voiced optimism about his team’s resilience. He argues that with ten wins, the Hurricanes have had a commendable season, especially considering their losses were decided by narrow margins. Meanwhile, DeBoer also maintains confidence in Alabama’s standing as one of the top twelve teams.
As the countdown to the playoffs continues, with key games influencing the final rankings, fans from across the college football landscape are left anticipating the unfolding narrative and potential surprises that could emerge from these final moments of the season.
Overall, the upcoming conference championships could bring unexpected twists and may lead to new opportunities for teams like Alabama and Miami to either solidify their playoff standings or make a surprising comeback against the odds.