For Alabama football, lots to like in week 1 of CFB Playoff Rankings

Alabama football was ranked No. 2 Tuesday night in the first 2017 CFB Playoff Rankings. There’s a lot to like for Tide fans, even Saban may be secretly pleased.

The first of six 2017 College Football Playoff Rankings were announced Tuesday night. Alabama football fans should be pleased with the Tide ranked at No. 2 the first week. Even though Nick Saban will never admit it, he must be secretly content the Tide was not ranked No. 1 by the committee.

While the early Rankings are a sideshow to the final committee decision on December 3rd, teams too far back in the pack are at some disadvantage.

Check out the tweet below for the complete 1-25 rankings list.

No doubt, starting with TCU (8) some fanbases will not be satisfied. Wisconsin (9) and Miami (10) will bemoan not getting enough credit for being undefeated. UCF (18) fans can begin the annual plaintive whine that Group of Five teams are not rated fairly.  Washington State (25) fans will be unhappy to barely sneak in.

What teams (and fans) should be pleased?

• Georgia (1) is no doubt ecstatic for the notoriety it has missed in recent years
• Alabama football (2) is getting deserved credit from committee ‘Eye Tests’
• After last season’s deplorable season and losing early to Georgia, the Irish (3) should be relieved.
• Clemson (4) should be very pleased to have survived a loss to Syracuse.
• Oklahoma (5), Ohio State (6) and Penn State (7) should be content with each position and the fact the committee is not giving too much credit to other teams for being undefeated.
• The top group of two-loss teams, starting with Auburn (14) and continuing with Iowa State (15), Mississippi State (16), USC (17) and LSU (19) should be happy to still be in contention.

The CFB Playoff Big Picture and Alabama football

Alabama football is in a great position at (2), able to potentially still sustain a late loss and finish in the top four. While the 2017 team has shown no sign of needing extra motivation, Nick Saban can allow his team to get riled up about not being at (1).

While it is no more than nostalgia, Alabama football fans can enjoy the prospect of the Tide and the Irish staying at No.2 and No. 3 and playing a semi-final in the Rose Bowl. After all, it is about time for the roses in the venerable stadium to once again ‘turn Crimson.’

Next: 30 Great Tide Players who were 3-Star Recruits

The ramp up to the final Playoff Rankings in December is fun. But it is too early to get overly churned up about the potential and inevitable changes that will transpire. There is much football yet to be played.