On Tuesday night, the CFB Playoff Selection Committee moved Alabama Football up one spot in the rankings to No. 10. The Selection Committee has some true college football experts; eight of whom played college football, four of whom later became coaches. Surely, at least Gary Pinkel and Mike Riley understand how rarely LSU gets dominated on a Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. This century LSU has been dominated like last Saturday night in only three other November games. The other three were losses to Alabama in 2002, 2018 and 2020.
Moving the Crimson Tide up just one spot would be warranted if the Crimson Tide had eked out a win. The blowout domination of the Bengal Tigers deserved more than the equivalent of a barely audible 'atta boy'.
Two weeks into the CFB Playoff rankings, the Selection Committee has a win-loss record tunnel vision. In fairness, their perspective may widen in the final two rankings on Dec. 3 and Dec. 8. Maybe then the committee will remember giving lip service to Strength of Schedule (SOS) can damage the credibility of the rankings.
Mark me down as one with doubts the committee will right itself at the end. Complaining about Selection Committees is new for me. Consistently through the Playoff era, I have commended the efforts of Selection Committees executing a very difficult and almost thankless task. They have been correct far more than wrong.
I prefer coming to the same conclusion this cycle, but at this point of the 2024 rankings, five teams ranked above Alabama have suspect resumes. The Crimson Tide has two losses, one of which is a major blemish. Alabama also has wins over four, Playoff-ranked teams, with a SOS of No. 4. No other team has matched that success. Let's drill down on the five suspect resumes.