Alabama's upward trajectory continues as Crimson Tide rises in AP Poll again

You probably wouldn't have guessed after how Alabama looked against Florida State in the season opener in Tallahassee that at the beginning of Week 8, the Crimson Tide would be ranked higher than they were in the preseason.

After starting the year ranked No. 8, Alabama fell all the way to No. 21, the program's lowest ranking in the AP Poll since the preseason poll of 2008. The season looked lost before the calendar even flipped to September. Fans wanted Kalen DeBoer fired. Alabama's season was six-feet deep - dead, buried, and gone.

Perhaps it should be a lesson for all of us not to allow one single result to influence feelings to that degree. Because all Alabama has done since then is win five consecutive games, including three in a row over ranked SEC opponents.

The latest - a 27-24 road win over Missouri - has Alabama up to No. 6 in both AP and Coaches Polls.

Alabama moves up to No. 6 in the AP and Coaches Polls

Just like last week, Alabama is the highest-ranked one-loss team. The Tide moved up two spots thanks to the win over Missouri and losses by Oklahoma (Texas) and Oregon (Indiana). It was expected - at least by me - that Oregon would remain ahead of the Crimson Tide this week, even after its loss, mainly due to Florida State's third consecutive defeat.

But voters at least seem to be paying more attention - for now - with who you have beaten instead of just who you have lost to. Because Alabama has wins over No. 9 Georgia, No. 16 Missouri, and No. 17 Vanderbilt. Oregon doesn't have a win over a single ranked team now that Penn State's season has gone completely off the rails.

A peek at the poll shows just how daunting a task remains in front of the Crimson Tide. Though its final two road games are against unranked opponents in South Carolina and Auburn, Alabama plays three more ranked opponents at home, starting next week with No. 11 Tennessee coming to Tuscaloosa.

In November, Alabama will face No. 10 LSU and No. 14 Oklahoma in Tuscaloosa.

ESPN's FPI gives Alabama an 83.4% chance of making the College Football Playoff. 5-1 at the halfway point of the season puts the Crimson Tide in a good position. A 5-1 mark over the second half of the schedule would make Alabama an easy playoff team, and likely send DeBoer and company to Atlanta for the SEC Championship.