The final spot in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff officially comes down to Alabama and SMU heading into Sunday’s final post-season rankings release.
SMU came into championship weekend already ranked ahead of Alabama before nearly overcoming a three-touchdown deficit and losing to Clemson in the ACC title game 34-31 on a game-winning 56 field goal. In result, Clemson automatically clinched a spot in the College Football Playoff, leaving the Crimson Tide and Mustangs both currently on the outside looking in at the final seed in the postseason bracket.
Las Vegas’ site Dice City Sports’ Tony Reyes has predicted Alabama would take the final berth in the College Football Playoff over SMU, causing possible outcry across the college football landscape after the committee sits down and compares their season-long resumes side-by-side.
“I predict the Mustangs will fall behind the Crimson Tide, and that alone will be enough to keep them out of the playoff picture,” Reyes said. “There will be accusations of SEC-bias once this move is made. However, when you look at the committee there is only one member that has ties to the SEC. Once the committee lines up the season-long resumés of both Alabama and SMU, I believe they will give the nod to Alabama as the final at-large berth.”
Is Bama still a good bet to make the college football playoff?
Here’s the projected 12-Team CFP rankings after Saturday’s results:
1. Oregon
2. Georgia
3. Boise State
4. Arizona State
5. Notre Dame
6. Penn State
7. Texas
8. Ohio State
9. Tennessee
10. Indiana
11. Alabama/SMU
12. Clemson
The College Football Playoff 13-chair selection committee will now be tasked with properly ranking the 12-best teams in playoff and assign them playoff sites, upon Sunday’s final postseason bracket unveiling at noon, ET.
