Alabama is in the thick of CFB Playoff competition. And not just for a spot, but also for an opening-round bye. Saturday's winner in Tuscaloosa will leap forward in the battle for a bye.
Bill Connelly's reputation is built on numbers. On Monday, Bill Connelly added some subjectivity, stating, "Kalen DeBoer's Crimson Tide might have the highest ceiling of anyone in the country." The Crimson Tide has a way to go to prove Connelly correct, but Alabama can take a big step forward by beating Georgia.
On3's Andy Staples boosted Alabama's Playoff profile in his latest prediction. Staples has the Crimson Tide as the 2-seed.
NEW: College Football Playoff Bracketology via @AndyStaples🏆
— On3 (@On3) October 4, 2026
Do you agree?🤔https://t.co/hZSm7PML7M pic.twitter.com/pCxS6xBfVm
ESPN's Heather Dinich projects the Crimson Tide as the Playoff's No. 5 seed. She projects Georgia to earn a bye as the No. 3 seed.
It's early, so whether Connelly and Dinich are right or wrong doesn't much matter. Early, that is, for the Crimson Tide and the Bulldogs, who, along with Texas, are solid Playoff picks. Other SEC teams have ground to gain. LSU is one of the 'ground to gain' teams, but the Bengal Tigers are currently the fourth of the SEC's Playoff contenders.
Week 6 SEC Football Playoff Bubble Teams
In last week's Bubble Watch, Mississippi State, Tennessee, and Ole Miss were the SEC's bubble teams. This week, MSU, Tennessee, and Ole Miss are joined in the 'Bubble' by the Florida Gators.
In the 'Below the Bubble' category are Missouri, Kentucky, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma. Already with two losses each, the Aggies and the Sooners are one more loss away from being added to the SEC's group of not-contenders, named the 'Forget About Group',
The current SEC 'Forget About It' teams are Auburn, South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Arkansas. With one more loss to South Carolina and Arkansas, a new SEC category will be needed: 'Maybe Next Year' for four-loss (and above) teams.
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