Alabama Football: Latest poll rankings and Crimson Tide bowl prediction

On Saturday, Arkansas could not quite pull off an upset Alabama Football needed. So there will be no post-season trip to Atlanta for the Alabama Crimson Tide this season. There will be a New Years Six Bowl plum. Winning it, to finish 11-2, would be a good finish to a Crimson Tide season that failed to meet expectations.

A few days ago, I suggested the Ole Miss game would be an early start on the 2023 season. When an Alabama football season does not end in the CFB Playoffs, building for the next season immediately becomes a priority.

This, in no way, suggests winning the Iron Bowl and a bowl game are not important. Both are. Three loss seasons are unacceptable in Tuscaloosa and there can be a positive carryover to the 2023 season by finishing 11-2.

Alabama Football in current AP and Coaches Polls

In the current AP Poll, the Crimson Tide moved up two spots to No. 8. In the latest Coaches Poll, Alabama moved up three spots to No. 8.

Ranked ahead of the Crimson Tide in the AP Poll are: 1) Georgia; 2) Ohio State; 3) Michigan; 4) TCU; 5) Tennessee; 6) LSU and 7) Southern Cal. Above the Crimson Tide in the Coaches Poll are the same seven teams, with USC at No. 6 and LSU at No. 7. Immediately below Alabama in both polls are the Clemson Tigers at No. 9.

It is interesting, but irrelevant, that in the current ESPN FPI, Alabama Football is again No. 3. The same is true for Jeff Sagarin’s computer rankings.

When Tuesday night’s CFB Playoff rankings are released it will be interesting to see if the Crimson Tide is at No. 8. Alabama will move up due to Oregon’s loss to Washington. The Crimson Tide win over Ole Miss was a much better one than Southern Cal’s win over the pathetically bad Colorado Buffaloes. The Buffs, last in the Pac 12 would also be last in every other Power Five conference, except maybe the Big Ten, where Northwestern is also 1-9 on the season. Since losing to Utah, the Trojans have beaten three teams, that combined have 22 losses.

It is obvious to Alabama fans that USC’s resume, despite a close loss to Utah, is less impressive than the Crimson Tide’s. However, the Crimson Tide is not a Playoff team and USC still has a chance to become one, even if it may not be deserving.

Alabama Football Bowl Game Prediction

If LSU does not beat Georgia in Atlanta, the Bulldogs and probably Tennessee make the Playoffs. The Sugar Bowl would not pass on LSU. So, in agreement with Jerry Palm, my prediction is the Crimson Tide to the Orange Bowl to play the Clemson vs. North Carolina winner in the ACC Championship.

I can rightfully be called old school, but to me, winning an Orange Bowl is still a pretty big deal.