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Alabama is losing some Playoff love from ESPN, with one exception

Most of ESPN's college football experts think Alabama should drop in the next Playoff rankings.
ByRonald Evans
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Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Every week, 13 ESPN experts project the next CFB Playoff rankings. Heather Dinich projects what the Selection Committee 'could' do. She mostly thinks Alabama will remain at No.3, but suggests the Vandy game could push the Crimson Tide lower in Tuesday's rankings.

The other 12 ESPN experts are not making predictions. They rank the teams as they believe they should be ranked. As a group, they are not nearly as sold on the Crimson Tide. Eleven of the 12 have Alabama ranked from No. 6 to No. 9. One, David Hale, does not have the Crimson Tide in the Playoff field. The group was more bullish on the Crimson Tide last week, before Alabama's offense lacked much luster against Vanderbilt. Though Dinich suggested Alabama could hold on to the No. 3 slot, she added: "Alabama was held to just 92 rushing yards, had two turnovers and held a precarious 7-3 halftime lead against a team that has now lost six of its past seven games." She could have said that against Vandy, the Crimson Tide did not pass an eye test.

Is it Alabama or Tennessee as the fourth SEC Playoff team?

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Along with David Hale, Kyle Boangura has only three SEC teams in the 12-team Playoff field. Bonagura's exclusion is not Alabama; it is Tennessee.

All but two of the13 experts have Georgia at No. 1. The two exceptions are No. 3 rankings from Bonagura and Bill Connelly. Texas has the widest range of rankings, from No. 5 to No. 11. Tennessee is ranked from No. 6 to No. 11, and out by Bonagura.

The wide range of expert opinions is a reminder of how difficult is the task of the Selection Committee. It will become more difficult next season with 24 teams. Of course, that is not the Selection Committee's fault. The Playoff Board of Managers are the people to blame for a format that the majority of college football fans dislike.

After Tuesday night, Alabama fans may need LSU to beat Tennessee in Knoxville. My early prediction is that LSU will not only lose but lose badly. For this season at least Lane's smoke and mirrors show has been exposed as sizzle with no substance.

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