The College Football Playoff rankings are about to be revealed, and the question on everyone's minds is: Will Alabama make the cut? NBC Sports is here to break it down for you!
The College Football Playoff selection committee has a tough job this weekend. While they don't get paid, their decisions will have a massive impact on the teams involved. With BYU's loss, it's clear that Alabama, Notre Dame, and Miami are all in the running for a spot in the 12-team CFP.
But here's where it gets controversial... Alabama, who played this weekend, suffered a devastating loss to Georgia. This raises questions about the committee's past decisions, as they've favored teams on an upward trajectory. Will they stick to this trend, or will Alabama's past performance come into play?
The committee's decision this year is shrouded in mystery. Last year, teams that were already ranked high didn't drop out after losing conference championship games. However, this year, the committee might have to make a bold statement. If Alabama, with a 10-3 record, falls out after being ranked 9th, it could spark a huge debate. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey would likely be outraged if Alabama, having reached the SEC championship game, is left out of the CFP.
This decision could have far-reaching consequences. If teams believe the SEC championship game is a liability, it might lead to its elimination. The committee's choice on Sunday is a pivotal moment in college football history.
At the top, I predict Indiana will take the No. 1 spot after their impressive win over Ohio State. The Buckeyes, despite their loss, will likely remain in the top 2 due to the close nature of the game.
As for the other conferences, I believe Tulane and James Madison will make the cut. The CFP rules state that the top 5 FBS conference champions automatically qualify. Usually, these spots are taken by Power 4 teams, but this year, an 8-5 Duke team might just sneak in ahead of James Madison.
Now, let's talk about the Miami-Notre Dame debate. It's been a hot topic for the past month. Should Miami's early season win over Notre Dame be a deciding factor in the Playoff? Or does Notre Dame's overall performance and improved defense give them an edge?
The committee has praised Notre Dame's consistency, but they've also praised Alabama's win over Auburn. It seems the committee is all over the place with their reasoning, making it hard to predict their final decision.
In my opinion, the committee will take the path of least resistance. They might drop Alabama a few spots, highlighting their wins over Georgia and other ranked teams. This would put Alabama behind both Miami and Notre Dame, allowing both teams to enter the CFP. It would also ensure the ACC has a representative in the field.
The committee could even rank Miami ahead of Notre Dame based on their Week 1 result. They've shown they're willing to make controversial decisions, as seen with their recent ranking of Texas over Vanderbilt.
The bottom line is, the committee's decision will be based on their personal preferences and justifications. We'll have to wait until Sunday to find out more. Will Alabama make it in? Only time will tell!
