The Alabama Crimson Tide have had the most success in the College Football Playoff era. Alabama had the most appearances (7), wins (13), and national titles (3).
If Alabama wants to make its ninth playoff berth before next year’s expansion, it will need support from other teams. This season, the Crimson Tide have remained at No. 8 in the committee’s rankings, and it doesn’t look that the committee will be willing to bump Alabama up until some of the teams ahead of them lose.
Alabama will need four teams in front of them to lose for them to lose. While it may not appear to be conceivable with only two games remaining in the regular season, Alabama has a handful of options for making the playoffs.
Alabama’s playoff chances are predicated on the Crimson Tide first and foremost. Alabama has three games left before the NCAA Tournament: UT-Chattanooga, Auburn, and the SEC Championships versus No. 1 Georgia. A victory over the two-time defending champs might offer the impetus Alabama needs to enter the College Football Playoff. That’s one more team than Alabama that may lose.
No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Michigan must meet in “The Game” at the conclusion of the regular season. The winner would most likely win the Big Ten while also eliminating their opponent from the postseason competition. That’s a second team that will lose ahead of Alabama.
If No. 5 Washington and No. 6 Oregon win their respective games, they will meet in the Pac-12 Championship game. Oregon narrowly lost to Washington by three points, and the Ducks would be out for vengeance. It might be the difference between the Ducks avenging their regular-season blemish and defeating another undefeated club, or Washington cementing its place as one of the four top teams in the league.
The fourth team is when things become complicated. Florida State has a chance to go undefeated in conference play, ensuring the ACC a playoff spot. The Seminoles aren’t expecting an upset against North Alabama on Saturday. They then have to travel to the Swamp to take on Florida, a team that has played well at home but is currently on a three-game losing streak with two top-10 opponents remaining on the schedule. If Florida State handles business there, they would then take on a top-10 Louisville in the ACC championship.
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