Alabama Crimson Tide news and notes to wrap up the week.
Alabama's College Football Playoff spot far from secured
Even after the loss to Oklahoma, it felt like all Alabama had to do was simply defeat Auburn in the Iron Bowl next week to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff. But the Tide dropping six spots from No. 4 to No. 10 makes that less certain.
It's still more likely than not that an Iron Bowl win will be good enough, but the committee's inconsistent metrics have opened up the possibility that if Alabama went on and lost in the SEC Championship Game, it could get left out.
There's only one real scenario that could cause that: chalk holds everywhere, and then BYU steals the Big 12's auto-bid by defeating Texas Tech in the Big 12 Championship Game. Someone would have to drop out to get BYU in, and it probably won't be No. 5 Texas Tech. Alabama, as the last team currently in, would probably be the team that gets bumped.
Parker Brailsford's status is 'up in the air' for Eastern Illinois
Alabama could be without star center Parker Brailsford on Saturday against Eastern Illinois. Brailsford was banged up in last week's loss to Oklahoma, and Kalen DeBoer announced on Wednesday's SEC Coaches Teleconference that Brailsford's status was "up in the air" for this weekend.
Alabama would be fine without Brailsford, obviously, as it is far more important to get him healthy and ready to go for the Iron Bowl and potentially the SEC Championship Game the following week. But it looked like the Crimson Tide was perhaps finally gelling on the offensive line, finding the right combination last week.
Brailsford potentially being out would remove a week's worth of continuity from the unit, though he won't have any problem jumping back in next week if he sits. If he's out, redshirt senior Geno VanDeMark seems likely to start at center, though redshirt freshman Joseph Ionata could also factor into that decision.
Alabama Men's Basketball picks up a second Top 10 victory away from home
Just four games into the season, Nate Oats has already led Alabama to two wins over Top 10-ranked teams away from home. Following up the win over St. John's at Madison Square Garden two weeks ago, the Crimson Tide walked into the United Center in Chicago on Wednesday night and knocked off No. 8 Illinois, 90-86.
Labaron Philon led the way with 24 points, 19 of which came in the second half. He scored nine in a row down the stretch, taking over the game to lead the Tide to the win. Philon's performance caused Oats to make a bold statement in his post-game presser, stating he believes Alabama has the team that could win the National Championship.
Philon grabbed the headlines, but Illinois head coach Brad Underwood was quick to point out (correctly) that the difference in the game was Tarleton State transfer Keitenn Bristow, who scored 10 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in his Alabama debut.
Alabama Women's Basketball moves to 5-0 with blowout win
Kristy Curry's team is off to a 5-0 start despite significant roster turnover from last season. They haven't exactly faced a murderer's row on the schedule, but undefeated is undefeated and they are doing what you would expect them to do against lesser opponents.
On Wednesday night, Alabama blew out Samford 84-45. Leading by only five at halftime, the Tide busted the game open by outscoring the Bulldogs 32-7 in the third quarter.
Perhaps most promising for Alabama is that star freshman guard Ace Austin was the team's leading scorer. She dropped a career-high 21 points in the win.
Alabama will now head to the Bahamas for the Pink Flamingo Championships. They will play Harvard on Monday and then either Minnesota or USF on Wednesday.