Alabama Football: Two SEC teams in CFB Playoff could happen again

Based on the second CFB Playoff Selection Committee rankings, Alabama football is in a strong position even with a future loss.

Since Alabama football and Georgia bumped two Power Five conferences out of the Playoff last December, conventional opinion has been there would be no repeat this season. Until the second Committee ranking Tuesday night, there was some doubt a one-loss Alabama football could make the Playoff again if that loss came against Georgia in the SEC Championship game.

Even before the latest rankings, a few college football experts were suggesting a Crimson Tide loss to Georgia would not derail the Tide’s championship dreams. The new rankings reinforce the supposition the Committee is not averse to repeating its two teams from the SEC decision from last year.

Multiple what-if arguments can be made of why Washington State, Michigan and either Oklahoma or West Virginia should be in the Playoff field. Add to that the fact Notre Dame is in if it goes undefeated, plus Clemson’s strong position, and there appears to be no room for two SEC teams. Except, as was reinforced last year, the Committee’s charge is to pick the top four teams in college football.

Unless Georgia were to somehow blow-out Alabama football in the SEC Championship game, the Crimson Tide’s performance to-date shouts out it is at least one of the four top teams.

For those still skeptical, take a close look at Tuesday night’s rankings. LSU dropping only four spots to No. 7 after being destroyed by the Crimson Tide makes the Alabama football strength argument. The Bengal Tigers are ranked above Washington State at No. 8 and West Virginia at No. 9. Based on that ranking, it is highly probable the PAC 12 and the Big 12  will not get a Playoff team. Oklahoma at No. 6 still has a chance to get in but it will take beating West Virginia twice in the next few weeks.

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There is considerable national angst the SEC is getting too much love with three teams ranked in the top seven. The Committee seems immune to such heat. Which does not mean Alabama football could survive a bad loss. Even if the Crimson Tide were to lose to Mississippi State, Auburn or Georgia, the loss would just have to be in a tight game. Short of a major injury to Tua, there is no indication any of those teams could inflict a bad loss on the Crimson Tide.

What will happen? It is too early to know, There is plenty of football left. But at this point, three Power Five conferences not getting a team into the Playoff is a strong possibility.

Another point key to the Alabama football survives a one-loss scenario is Georgia and LSU not losing again in the regular season. The Bulldogs need to knock off Auburn and LSU needs to not slip up at the end on the road in College Station.