Given that the Alabama Crimson Tide has one of college football's top SOS rankings, it should not be faulted for playing lowly Eastern Illinois. But it will be by many, including the Playoff Selection Committee.
The traditional throw-off games used by Alabama and Auburn before the Iron Bowl have some value. Auburn will gladly take a win over Mercer to reach a 6-win plateau. Alabama could use its game to give many starters light work, while providing backups and lesser-used players with snap opportunities.
The Crimson Tide could use mostly third-stringers for 50 of the game's 60 minutes and still win. Yes, Eastern Illinois is that bad. In Bill Connelly's current SP+ Top 766, the Panthers are ranked No. 271 among teams from every level of college football. Ty Simpson's dad's team, UT-Martin, beat Eastern Illinois in OT. Mr. Simpson's Skyhawks are ranked No. 213.
Coming off the Oklahoma loss, Alabama must improve in key areas. Hopefully, has happened in this week's practices. No improvement can be added on Saturday against such an inferior opponent.
Instead, Alabama must accept another task on Saturday. It is an unseemly one, but with a Playoff Selection Committee driven by capriciousness, Alabama must ignore sportsmanship and beat the Panthers 'like a rented mule.' More specifically, Alabama should get most of its offensive production by running over, around, and through the Panthers. Pound, pound, and pound some more, adding a few play-action deep passes.
There is very little chance that Kalen DeBoer will choose such a course of action. In his Florida tenure, Steve Spurrier would have, and Lane Kiffin would probably do so now. Neither coach should be criticized for such killer instinct. Barry Switzer ran up scores often, as did Jimmy Johnson and others. Football is not a gentleman's game.
Connelly has the Tide winning 61-0. Any score, 50+ to zip, would be adequate, as long as the Crimson Tide rushes for at least 300 yards.
Realistically, this suggested game outcome will have no impact on the Playoff Selection Committee. And it shouldn't. That is, if the committee had objective ranking standards, clearly communicated to fans. Unfortunately, that is not the real world either. So, in case the committee continues to tunnel-vision rank the Crimson Tide based on its rushing offense, Alabama must pile on the rushing yards against Eastern Illinois.