Alabama football fans know too well that many predictions have the Alabama Crimson Tide outside the CFB Playoff Field. Even so, there is optimism a 10-2 Crimson Tide would not be excluded. Where Alabama is ranked on Tuesday night in the first Playoff Top 25 will indicate how much the Selection Committee will reward Alabama for its tough schedule.
While the Alabama Crimson Tide watches football in Week 10, Alabama fans can follow eight games from which the loser could enhance the Tide's Playoff chances.
The fewer undefeated Power Four teams the better for Alabama Football. Michigan is not likely to beat Oregon, but a win by the Wolverines would knock the 8-0 Ducks down a peg. The Ducks at 8-1 would not fall far, but the same can't be said about the Miami Hurricanes. The Canes are 8-0 from a schedule that has produced no wins over ranked teams. To beat a ranked team Miami must advance to the ACC Championship Game. The Canes are a big favorite over the Duke Blue Devils, but Alabama fans can pull for the Dukies.
Another unbeaten is 7-0 Penn State. The Nittany Lions host 6-1 Ohio State. Either loser should help Alabama's Playoff chances, but knocking Penn State from the unbeatens is probably best.
Another Big Ten undefeated team at 7-0 is the Indiana Hoosiers. IU is on the road Saturday against Michigan State. The game might not be close, but the Spartans have a chance at an upset.
The best situation for Alabama Football and some other SEC teams is in December's final Playoff rankings, the Big 12 has only its champion in the 12-team Playoff field. That may not be possible if both BYU and Iowa State keep winning. Texas Tech knocking off 7-0 Iowa State on Saturday could later help Alabama.
Another undefeated team playing Saturday is 7-0 Pitt. The Panthers take on 7-1 SMU. Based on its schedule (ranked by ESPN as No. 102 among all FBS teams), a 10-1 Pitt team has only a small chance to make the Playoffs unless it wins the ACC Championship Game. SMU dropping to 7-2 might also benefit Alabama.
In Saturday games involving SEC teams South Carolina upsetting Texas A&M in Columbia would help Alabama. The Aggies, currently ranked at No. 10 in the AP Poll, might drop three or four spots if the Gamecocks can turn the A&M record into 7-2.
In a wildly unpredictable college football season, the Alabama Crimson Tide might catch a few breaks on Saturday.