What Alabama Football sliding to No. 3 in Playoff rankings means

As most fans, including most Alabama football fans, expected, the Crimson Tide slid to No. 3 in Tuesday night’s CFP rankings. Ohio State, having demolished previously ranked No. 7, Michigan State, moved up to the No. 2 slot.

The move matched how AP Poll voters ranked the top three teams earlier in the week. As the Crimson Tide moved down one slot, several teams moved up in the rankings. The Cincinnati Bearcats moved from No. 5 to No.4; the Michigan Wolverines reached No. 5 from No. 6; Notre Dame moved from No. 8 to No. 6.

Also moving up in the new CFP rankings, top 10 were Oklahoma State from No. 9 to No. 7; Baylor from No. 11 to No. 8; Ole Miss from No. 12 to No. 9 and the Oklahoma Sooners from No. 13 to No. 10.

Below the top 10, BYU moved up one spot to No. 13 and Texas A&M moved up one spot to No. 15. The fanbases of the ‘also-rans’ flooded social media with complaints about the latest rankings, along with attacks on the competence and integrity of the Selection Committee. It is not useful to elaborate other than to say dissatisfaction, just or unjust, has become so widespread, the pace of Playoff expansion will surely quicken.

One very unhappy fanbase is the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Bulldogs were No. 25 last week and after winning 55-10, against Tennessee State on Saturday, Mike Leach’s team is unranked. Alabama football fans recognize the Bulldogs dropping out of the rankings is not good for the Crimson Tide. In fact, Tide fans should now be all-in rooting for the Ole Miss Rebels in the Egg Bowl.

Concern about the Playoff chances for the Alabama Crimson Tide is moot with two wins, over Auburn and Georgia. What has changed with the latest rankings is the need for the Tide to have an impressive win over Auburn.

Does an Alabama Football two-loss record mean no Playoffs?

The short answer is probably. Still, a sound whipping of Auburn, followed by a close loss to Georgia might be enough to get the Tide into the final four. The reason such a result is so unlikely has little to do with setting a Playoff precedent with a two-loss team in the final four. What will restrain the Selection Committee, even more, is the inevitable, massive backlash from across the world of college football should a two-loss, Tide be chosen over a one-loss Power Five Champion.

There is hope for Alabama football fans. After the rankings were released, Selection Committee Chair, Gary Barta said,

"(On Ohio State and Alabama) Both are considered to be great teams, not just good teams."

Barta was more specific about the Crimson Tide, saying,

"(On Alabama) The last few weeks, just not showing as much domination on defense."

The committee’s message to the Crimson Tide is pretty clear. The door is not slammed on a two-loss Tide but it must dominate Auburn, including a strong defensive effort. And of course, play Georgia close.

Some Tide fans have asked if the repeated discussions about a two-loss Tide and the Playoffs mean we have no confidence in the Tide beating the Bulldogs. The response is not at all – Alabama can beat the Dawgs – they are good but far from unbeatable.