The Alabama Crimson Tide is trying to pick itself back up from the loss at home against the Oklahoma Sooners this past weekend and turn the page to trying to finish off the regular season the right way.
Up this week is a tune up game against Eastern Illinois before a massive high stakes road Iron Bowl, a game which should they survive and win they are more than likely headed to the SEC Championship game in Atlanta.
At that point, the Tide would have a 10-2 record with one of the toughest schedules in college football and previous methodology from the CFP committee has not punished teams for playing and losing an extra game in the conference title.
During Tuesday night’s rankings reveal though, Alabama suffered a significant drop in the rankings despite losing to a very formidable Oklahoma team, falling all the way to No. 10 and behind a Notre Dame team with the same record but lacking the quality wins.
The way things are shaping up here, the Tide could be in some trouble if they were to go to Atlanta and suffer a third loss and it almost feels like things are being set up for that to occur.
Despite four ranked wins for Alabama compared to just one for Notre Dame and a top-five strength of schedule compared to one that does not rank in the top-25 for the Irish, the committee has openly stated they are placing value on ugly performances from the Tide against both South Carolina and LSU while outright ignoring the fact that Notre Dame has played a cupcake schedule and lost to their only two real opponents.
For Alabama, the reality here is that they are still mostly in control of their own destiny and even capable of securing a first-round bye if they can go to Auburn and handle their business and go on to win the SEC Championship.
It’s also a completely moot point should the Tide lose on The Plains and at that point, this team didn’t deserve a postseason spot anyway.
However, if things do play out that Alabama is punished for making the conference title game after finishing the regular season with 10 wins, it could put into question the future of the game at all.
Things are getting to a dangerous point here for the Crimson Tide, and it seems this team will have to leave absolutely no doubt if they want to get back to the College Football Playoff.
