UPDATE: The College Football Playoff (CFP) bracket will be revealed this Sunday, and Alabama’s fate hangs in the balance following a crushing loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. The Crimson Tide, once a contender for an automatic playoff spot, is now left hoping for an at-large invitation.
In a dramatic turn of events, Alabama did not secure its playoff berth on Saturday, plunging from a favored position to the edge of elimination. As it stands, Alabama will likely be the final team selected for the 12-team playoff field, but uncertainty looms as projections indicate they may drop to the No. 10 seed.
Latest predictions suggest Alabama could face No. 7 seed Texas A&M in the first round, scheduled for either December 19 or December 20 in College Station, Texas. This matchup comes as a result of two conference champions ranked lower than Alabama filling the final playoff spots.
“The committee will consider Alabama’s win against the eventual SEC champs,” said ESPN analyst Heather Dinich. “Alabama’s victory over Georgia is stronger than Miami’s win against Notre Dame.”
Despite the setback in the SEC Championship, some analysts remain optimistic about Alabama’s chances. According to On3’s Thomas Goldkamp, the Crimson Tide’s two regular-season victories over ranked teams, including Georgia, may carry significant weight with the selection committee. “A third loss won’t keep the Crimson Tide out of the playoff, but it raises questions about seeding,” Goldkamp stated.
However, the pressure is mounting. If Alabama’s ranking drops significantly, it risks missing the playoff entirely, a scenario that has many fans on edge as the committee prepares for the final reveal. Nick Kelly, an Alabama beat writer for AL.com, emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that “the committee’s decision will depend heavily on the context of the SEC Championship loss, including injuries and absences that impacted the game.”
As anticipation builds for the CFP announcement on Sunday, Alabama fans are left anxiously awaiting the verdict. Will the Crimson Tide find a way into the playoff, or will they be left on the outside looking in? The next few days will be critical as the CFP committee finalizes its selections, and Alabama’s playoff aspirations hang in the balance.
Stay tuned for immediate updates on Alabama’s playoff status as we approach the official announcement. The stakes have never been higher for the Crimson Tide as they strive to reclaim their place among college football’s elite.
