A path is there for Alabama football to make the College Football Playoff, but is it clear enough?
It is a concern for Crimson Tide fans, especially with mixed emotions about can the Tide get in by winning out its schedule.
Alabama debuted in the top 10 of the CFP rankings at No. 8.
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Seven schools are ahead of it, including two Pac-12 programs at Nos. 5 and 6 respectively. The Pac-12 Conference is legit from top to bottom, and Texas is ahead of the Tide at No. 7. Ohio State (No. 1) and Michigan (No. 3) are in the top four, but will the loser of the Big Ten rivalry game remain in the hunt for a playoff spot if the matchup is close? Florida State, a school in the Atlantic Coast Conference, may have the easiest path to the playoff at 8-0. The Seminoles do not play another ranked team for the remainder of its regular season. Miami (6-2) could be a tough matchup for it and FSU does have its annual in-state rivalry against Florida.
Alabama has to convincingly win-out the rest of its schedule and get help.
It would need the USC Trojans to beat Washington and Oregon in back-to-back weeks, including the Ducks on the road. If the not the Trojans, Alabama needs Oregon State to defeat Washington and Oregon. The Tide also needs the loser of Michigan-Ohio State to get blown out in its matchup. It would not hurt Alabama to see Kansas State knock off Texas as well. The Wildcats are No. 23 in the CFP rankings and faces Texas this weekend. Kansas State could help the Tide get one of two Big 12 teams out of the picture.
It has a path to the playoff, but Alabama’s journey becomes more clear with some teams falling.
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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.
