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Alabama Crimson Tide: Surprises in CFB Playoff ranking don’t include Bama

ByRonald Evans|
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 8: The National Championship Trophy sits on display to members of the media during the College Football Playoff National Championship Head Coaches Press Conference on January 8, 2017 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 8: The National Championship Trophy sits on display to members of the media during the College Football Playoff National Championship Head Coaches Press Conference on January 8, 2017 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)

Alabama Crimson Tide fans always want No. 1 but where Alabama football sits in the first CFB Playoff Rankings is just fine.

The CFB Playoff Selection Committee released its first rankings for the 2019 season Tuesday night. The Alabama Crimson Tide was ranked No. 3, behind LSU at No. 2 and the Ohio State Buckeyes at No. 1.

There were definite surprises in the first of five rankings, before the final ranking on Dec. 8. Perhaps the biggest surprise was the No. 4 team following the Alabama Crimson Tide not being defending champion, Clemson. Instead, at No. 4 was a second Big 10 team, the Penn State Nittany Lions.

The Clemson Tigers were ranked No. 5, followed by the Georgia Bulldogs at No. 6. Take a look at the full 25-team rankings in the tweet below.

Moving further down in the rankings, two schools who cannot be pleased with their current standing are the Oklahoma Sooners and Minnesota Gophers. The Golden Gophers are undefeated but were placed in the bottom half of the rankings at No. 17. The Committee severely punished the Sooners for a loss to Kansas State. At No. 9, there is virtually no path for Lincoln Riley’s team to climb up to a final four finish.

The Alabama Crimson Tide has been frequently panned by fans and national pundits for a weak schedule. Selection Committee chair, Rob Mullens commented on the Crimson Tide,

"What you see when you watch Alabama is obviously outstanding playmakers. They’ve been dominant against their schedule, and while it might not be as strong as others, when you watch the games, they certainly have been dominant."

Clemson fans must believe their team was punished the most due to a weak schedule. It is possible the Committee looks at the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers somewhat differently because of conference affiliations. No serious complaint can arise from acknowledging the SEC is stronger than the ACC.

Georgia Bulldogs’ fans should be excited sitting at No. 6. Rob Mullens was specific, saying,

"They beat two Top 15 teams in Florida and Notre Dame, which balances the loss to South Carolina in the eyes of the committee."

The Southeastern Conference is again college football’s big dogs, with five teams in the top 11.

Two other teams with a chance to finish in the top four are Pac 12 members, Oregon and Utah. The Ducks are at No. 7, with the Utes at No. 8. Should one of them win out, sneaking into the final Playoff berth at No. 4 is possible.

Given the Tide’s schedule so far, being ranked above LSU or Ohio State was not realistic. With future games against LSU, Auburn and potentially Georgia, it is possible that even a one-loss Tide team might grab the final, fourth Playoff slot.

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