Alabama football is in the College Football Playoff picture for an 11th time since its inception in 2014.
The Crimson Tide made the four-team playoff in eight of 10 seasons under Nick Saban, including a CFP National Championship in 2015, 2017, and 2020. Kalen DeBoer, regardless of three losses, has the Tide in the playoff picture at No. 11.
College Football Playoff selection committee Chair explains why Alabama is rank above Miami
The CFP Committee deliberated Tuesday night and put Alabama over Miami because of its record versus ranked opponents and wins over schools that are .500 or better. DeBoer and the Tide needs Southern Methodist University (SMU) to beat Clemson in the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game for it to make the playoff on Selection Sunday. Alabama being slotted at 11 generated much conversation from national media. Rick Neuheisel, a CBS Sports analyst, felt the committee liked Alabama the whole time and wanted it in.
“Since the inception of the College Football Playoff back in 2014, the two most important words to the CFP committee have been ‘Roll Tide.'” — @CoachNeuheisel @CoachNeuheisel and @JonesN4mo react to Alabama sneaking into the CFP bracket in the latest rankings pic.twitter.com/4IgVHZxH7e
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) December 4, 2024
“Since the inception of the College Football Playoff back in 2014, the two most important words to the CFP committee have been ‘Roll Tide,'” Neuheisel said Tuesday about Alabama. “They have been the dominant team in the entire thing, and brands matter. It is hard to shake the brands. Certainly, their resume is impressive. They have plenty of good wins, and when they are right … they are extremely right as we witnessed again in the Iron Bowl.”
Neuheisel also mentioned Alabama fans should be for SMU because if Clemson wins, Dabo Swinney — a former Crimson Tide player — wants any possible opportunity to upend Alabama and get into the playoff. The Tide sits right at the moment, despite a horrible loss to Oklahoma, but it needs the Mustangs to handle business this weekend. If SMU wins, Alabama would travel to Notre Dame and play the Fighting Irish in the first round of the playoff.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
