Alabama Football: What to look for tonight in CFB Playoff Rankings

Alabama football fans will watch closely tonight as the Playoff Committee releases its next to last rankings. Let’s look at the Tide’s likely positions and what each will mean.

Alabama football fans are in the uncomfortable position of having to agonize over every nuance of possible CFB Playoff Committee decisions. The committee will release two more rankings this week on Tuesday and Sunday.

Only the last ranking matters but tonight’s ranking will give an indication of what to expect on Sunday.

Alabama football needs help to make the Playoff field for the fourth straight season. At least one team ranked above Alabama tonight will need to lose this weekend. As much as it may pain Tide fans, it will be better for the Tide if Auburn is not one of those teams. A Clemson loss might not save the Tide because it could leapfrog the Canes into the top four.

An Oklahoma loss to TCU is the best scenario for Alabama. The next best result for the Tide would be a Wisconsin loss to Ohio State. That too would create a leapfrog risk for the Buckeyes as a conference champion jumping above the Tide at the end.

Only eight teams remain with a chance to make the Playoff field. Let’s look at three possible scenarios for tonight’s rankings.

Possible rankings for November 28th

1. Clemson
2. Oklahoma
3. Auburn
4. Alabama
5. Wisconsin
6. Georgia
7. Miami
8. Ohio State

In this less likely scenario, it does not matter if Clemson or Oklahoma is No. 1. But Wisconsin at No. 5 would reduce the chances of the Buckeyes jumping the Tide with a win. Let’s look at a more likely scenario.

1. Clemson
2. Oklahoma
3. Auburn
4. Wisconsin
5. Alabama
6. Georgia
7. Miami
8. Ohio State

Again who is at No. 1 is less important (though not totally unimportant) to the Tide. Alabama football needs an Oklahoma loss to make the field if Wisconsin wins. Wisconsin at No. 4 slightly improves the odds for Ohio State if they take down the Badgers. Let’s look at the worse case for the Tide.

1. Clemson
2. Oklahoma
3. Auburn
4. Wisconsin
5. Miami
6. Alabama
7. Georgia
8. Ohio State

The problem with the committee dropping Alabama football to No. 6 is it would indicate a pre-formed final opinion. Going from No. 1 to No. 6 would suggest the committee undervalues the Tide’s Strength of Schedule and was also unimpressed with the Tide’s performance against Auburn. In the No. 6 slot, Alabama could be jumped by an Ohio State win and a Georgia win.

Are there solid arguments for why the Tide should make the final Playoff field? Absolutely. Some national pundits (Ryen Rusillo and Booger McFarland) are beginning to make those arguments. Alabama easily has the best loss compared to Miami and Ohio State. Tonight’s rankings will give a strong hint to how much the Committee agrees.

Next: All-Time Alabama Football team

We will dive back into the Playoff situation after tonight’s rankings are released. Stay connected with Bama Hammer for the latest news.