After a perfect 5-0 start to the regular season, Alabama had a real margin for error. They had built positive equity and weren't a lock to make the College Football Playoff, but were an overwhelming favorite to do so.
Starting 5-0 was critical with the four-game stretch of Georgia, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and LSU upcoming. It was that four-game stretch that was identified in the preseason as season-defining for the Crimson Tide.
In order to get to the playoff, Alabama needed to navigate that stretch at 2-2. The good news is, nothing has changed about that. The bad news is that Alabama dropped the first two, meaning they have to beat Texas A&M and LSU - along with Vanderbilt and Auburn in November - to lock up a spot in the 12-team playoff.
So, in essence, the College Football Playoff has already begun for the Crimson Tide in October. It's already win-or-go-home time. That's been the message permeating throughout the football complex in Tuscaloosa this week.
"Unfortunately, we went through some adversity, and it is what it is," Alabama tight end Marshall Pritchett said on Tuesday, via Charlie Potter. "But it's up to us to go out there and reply. Round 1 starts Saturday. So we'll start the playoffs in October. There's no more room for error."
Safety Ivan Taylor said something similar after Tuesday's practice:
"We're already in the playoffs, is how we're thinking," Taylor said, via Colin Gay. "Our mentality is already in the playoffs. Making sure that we don't lose another game and going from top dog to being an underdog. We have our mind shifted."
Alabama players have the right mentality to bounce back after consecutive losses
Of course, it's one thing to talk about it, and another to be about it. Alabama players are certainly saying the right things this week after the disheartening defeat on Rocky Top. But they're going to have to prove it this weekend against a talented opponent.
Texas A&M comes into this matchup on Saturday with similar desperation. The Aggies were a preseason Top 10 team and have already dropped three games. They're coming to Tuscaloosa and will be desperate to avoid a fourth loss before the calendar even flips to November.
A&M has the added advantage of facing The Citadel last week, while Alabama has played two physically draining games against Georgia and Tennessee in back-to-back weeks. The toll of those matchups will be reflected on Wednesday night when the first availability report of the week is released.
But so be it. Alabama has to find a way to win this game anyway.
The College Football Playoff has already started in Tuscaloosa.
The first round is on Saturday.
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