What the latest FBS rankings reveal about Alabama Football and the rest of the SEC

Thankfully, college football's talking season is winding down. Alabama Football and the 133 other FBS teams will soon let action drown out words. With a 12-team CFB Playoff format, college football fans may be more interested than ever in the various national rankings. The AP and Coaches polls will be out in a couple of weeks. ESPN's FPI algorithm always draws attention. There are several other closely watched rankings sources.

Until the first CFB Playoff rankings come out on Halloween, the 'other' rankings will be a barometer for every contender's Playoff chances.

The CBS Sports 134 was recently published, from a panel of CBS and 247Sports college football experts. SEC football teams are ranked from Georgia at No. 1 to Vanderbilt at No. 91. Also failing to be ranked in the top third of FBS teams are South Carolina (No. 49), Arkansas (No. 54), and Mississippi State at No. 71. Maybe South Carolina fans have reason to hold out hope. For the other three SEC teams, 2024 will be a long season.

It is not a surprise, given the media relationships that the CBS Sports 134 somewhat favors Big Ten teams more highly than other rankings. Who knows maybe the Big Ten does deserve four of the top 10. Four is the same number for SEC teams. The remaining two in the top group are Notre Dame and Utah. More detail on the rankings is provided below.

Alabama Football and CBS Sports 134 Rankings

Only two SEC teams are ranked higher than the Alabama Crimson Tide. They are Texas at No. 4 and Georgia at No. 5. Alabama at No. 5 is closely followed by Ole Miss at No. 6. Also in the top 20 are Missouri at No. 11; LSU at No. 13; Tennessee at No. 15; Oklahoma at No. 18 and Texas A&M at No. 20. Given last season records, the Aggies (7-6) and Utah (8-5) made the most noticeable ascending moves among FBS teams.

Auburn is mired at No. 37, closely followed by Florida at No. 38. Given that Wisconsin is ranked at No. 33 and hosts Alabama at Camp Randall, the Badgers should offer Alabama a stiffer challenge than Auburn in Bryant-Denny.

Alabama's other out-of-conference opponents; Western Kentucky (No. 80) and South Florida (No. 64) are respectable teams that will provide good tune-ups for the Crimson Tide.

CBS Sports 134 - Top 25

• 1) Georgia; 2) Ohio State; 30 Oregon; 4) Texas; 5) Alabama ; 6) Ole Miss; 7) Penn State; 8) Notre Dame; 9) Michigan; 10) Utah; 11) Missouri; 12) LSU; 13) Florida State; 14) Clemson; 15) Tennessee; 16) Miami; 17) Kansas State; 18) Oklahoma; 19) Oklahoma State; 20) Texas A&M; 21) USC; 22) Arizona; 23) Iowa; 24) North Carolina State; 25) Kansas