Alabama football found itself Tuesday in a situation it has not been in for eight years.
The College Football Playoff originated in 2014 to do away with the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) era. Alabama opened the inaugural installment of CFP rankings at No. 6 on Oct. 28, 2014. Since then, the lowest starting ranking for the Crimson Tide to open a week-by-week process was fifth in 2015. Nick Saban’s team opened Tuesday’s rankings for 2022 at No. 6 for the playoff.
RELATED: Alabama LB Will Anderson named a semifinalist for Rotary Lombardi Award
Blake Sims, a former Alabama quarterback, led the 2014 squad to a Southeastern Conference Championship and a playoff berth.
Alabama fell short against Ohio State, the eventual CFP National Champions, in the Sugar Bowl. Bryce Young, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, is healthy from a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder. He gives the Crimson Tide more than a puncher’s chance to advance from sixth into the top four seeds. Alabama’s first task is to defeat Louisiana State University on Saturday at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. After that, it must take care of Ole Miss and Auburn to end the regular season.
Tennessee (No. 1) and Georgia (No. 3) will play Saturday.
The winner could potentially cancel the loser out of the playoff. Ohio State (No. 2) has Michigan (No. 5) left on its schedule. Football remains on the docket, and Alabama could end up as one of the top four seeds. All it needs to do is handle the business.
Click here to follow the Bama Elite Podcast
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
