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College Football Playoff Rankings 2017: Projected final rankings

By Brad Weiss

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 2: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates after defeating the TCU Horned Frogs 41-17 in the Big 12 Championship AT&T Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 2: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates after defeating the TCU Horned Frogs 41-17 in the Big 12 Championship AT&T Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /
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TUSCALOOSA, AL – NOVEMBER 18: Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide passes against the Mercer Bears at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL – NOVEMBER 18: Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide passes against the Mercer Bears at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Alabama Crimson Tide (11-1)

Last week: Off
Last rank: 5

The Alabama Crimson Tide did not play in a conference championship game on Saturday, though they will likely be included in the College Football Playoff when it is announced on Sunday. The Crimson Tide have played in the national championship game the last two seasons and would like nothing more than a shot to avenge their loss to Clemson last year. Head coach Nick Saban feels that his team should be included in the playoff, despite his feelings in the past that a non-conference champion should not be included in the final four.

The case for Alabama is a pretty strong one, as they only have one loss on their schedule, and that was to an Auburn team that might have been playing the best football of any team in the country at the time. Alabama has the talent on both sides of the ball to challenge against any team in the country, and could actually make it back to the title game if they get a chance. The committee is going to have to allow them in based on talent and reputation, as their schedule was nothing to write home about this season.

Still, Alabama will likely be included in the College Football Playoff when it is announced on Sunday, as Ohio State just did not do enough in their Big Ten title game victory to warrant inclusion. If they had beaten the Wisconsin Badgers convincingly, they would have had a better chance of getting in, but the losses by Wisconsin and Miami will mean Alabama is included in the final four. Saban will have his team ready to go, and whoever plays them better be ready for one of the more talented teams in the country.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts has been here before, and he has the winning pedigree to get his team back in the national title game. The Crimson Tide had been a bit banged up on the defensive side of the ball in recent weeks, but they should be at 100 percent when it comes time for the national semifinals. There will be a lot of controversy with whoever they put at No. 4, but if they go by the four best teams in the country, Alabama has to get in.

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