Alabama may be gearing up for its return to the College Football Playoff (CFP) for the ninth time in 11 years, provided there’s no surprise in the ACC championship game between Clemson and SMU. Currently, Alabama is positioned at No. 11 in the latest CFP rankings, just ahead of Miami, which is ranked at No. 12. The Crimson Tide faced three losses this season under first-year coach Kalen DeBoer, including a 24-3 setback against Oklahoma.
Miami, after suffering a close defeat at Syracuse (42-38), finds itself in a tough spot as it aims to secure a Playoff berth. As neither Alabama nor Miami qualified for their respective conference championships, Miami faces a significant challenge to surpass Alabama in the final rankings. The CFP selection committee will announce its conclusive rankings soon, highlighting how critical this championship weekend will be for teams vying for a spot.
CFP committee chairman Warde Manuel indicated that teams not participating in championship games, like Alabama and Miami, would maintain their current rankings. He emphasized that without new data from games this weekend, adjustments would not be made. Alabama holds a 3-1 record against ranked teams and has a stronger overall performance this season compared to Miami.
The current top four teams in the CFP are Oregon, Texas, Penn State, and Notre Dame, with Alabama and Miami trailing behind. The first-round matchups for the expected 12-team playoff would include notable games such as Alabama facing Notre Dame and Indiana taking on Georgia.
Looking ahead, if Clemson defeats SMU in the championship game, it could complicate Alabama’s playoff hopes, forcing the committee to decide between the Mustangs and the Crimson Tide for an at-large spot. Miami, echoing the sentiments of its coach, is rallying for reconsideration by the committee, arguing that their record merits inclusion in the playoff picture.
Despite the challenging circumstances for both Alabama and Miami, there remains a sense of hope, as these programs have shown resilience throughout the season. With the final rankings drawing near, fans of college football can anticipate an exciting conclusion to the season and hope for their teams to bring their A-game in the coming weeks.
Overall, as the future unfolds, the excitement surrounding the CFP remains palpable, with potential surprises lurking in the championship games that could reshape rankings and playoff opportunities.