How Alabama can still make the College Football Playoff after loss to Tennessee
By John Buhler
Here is what Alabama has to do to make the College Football Playoff after losing to Tennessee.
It is not season-over for Alabama fans, but it sure feels like it after losing on the road to Tennessee.
For the first time since Nick Saban called Tuscaloosa home, the Crimson Tide have lost the Third Saturday in October. It was one of the most thrilling college football games of the season, as the No. 6 Tennessee Volunteers stunned the No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide on the final play of the game, 52-49. While Tennessee is feeling amazing, can Alabama still make it into the playoff?
It may not be in the cards for Saban’s team, but here is what it will take for the Crimson Tide to return to the College Football Playoff this holiday season.
What Alabama must do to make the College Football Playoff after Tennessee loss
At 6-1 (3-1) on the season, here is what Alabama has to navigate to make the four-team field.
- Week 8: vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs (10/22)
- Week 9: Bye
- Week 10: at LSU Tigers (11/5)
- Week 11: at Ole Miss Rebels (11/12)
- Week 12: vs. Austin Peay Governors (11/19)
- Week 13: vs. Auburn Tigers (11/26)
- SEC Championship Game: Atlanta (12/3)
In all likelihood, Alabama could have upwards of two more wins over ranked teams in Mississippi State and Ole Miss. They will help boost the Crimson Tide’s resume a bit, but they can get in if they win out. Alabama needs to finish the regular season at 11-1 (7-1) with wins over Mississippi State, at LSU, at Ole Miss, Austin Peay and Auburn. They would need to win the SEC West for sure.
No, it does not matter if Tennessee goes on to win the SEC East. A neutral-site win over the Vols or the Georgia Bulldogs would make the Crimson Tide SEC Champions for the third year in a row. At 12-1 (7-1) and winners of the best Power Five conference, Alabama will be getting in as a top-two seed, maybe no worse than No. 3. Simply, they are not getting in as an at-large. Here is why.
Because Tennessee plays in the other division, there is no way Alabama cannot finish the regular season at 11-1 (7-1) and not be SEC West Division Champions. Plus, they have to beat the likes of the Mississippi schools to even get there. Most importantly, they have to beat either Georgia or Tennessee in a rematch to make the four-team field. These are similar stakes from a season ago.
Alabama controls its own destiny, but the Tide must win out and beat three more ranked teams.
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