Alabama football fans had some fun on Tuesday night. In the first CFB Playoff Rankings, the Crimson Tide was a surprise No. 5. Only one SEC team ranked higher than Alabama: Georgia at No. 2. Ten two-loss teams made the Playoff Committee's first top 25. Alabama was ranked the highest.
Reactions from Tennessee fans were explosive, something like an earthquake in the Smokey Mountains. The Vols, also 6-2 like Alabama, were ranked eight spots lower than the Crimson Tide at No. 13. The Tennessee site All for Tennessee admitted Tennessee's ranking was probably fair, but Alabama's ranking was "absurd ... and doesn't make an ounce of sense."
Selection Committee Chair Hunter Yurachek explained that the Vols did not get a head-to-head advantage over the Tide because the two teams were in different pods. He added that Alabama has three quality wins and Tennessee has only one.
Saturday more important than Tuesday for Alabama and LSU
More important than Tuesday is Saturday in Baton Rouge. The committee ranked the Bengal Tigers No. 14. Alabama fans believe the first Playoff rankings will boost the Tide on Saturday. There is logic to that opinion. LSU should be wired tighter than Alabama. At No. 13, a third loss would seriously damage the Bengal Tigers' playoff chances. Maybe right up to the edge of killing those chances.
Alabama players have been talking about being hungry, with their backs against the wall. Hopefully, the No. 5 ranking will not dull that edge.
LSU fans don't like that SOS had more impact in the committee's first rankings, Strength of Schedule (SOS) than in past cycles. Instead of SOS, the committee calls it Record Strength. They have promised to disclose more information about the metric.
A new big question from Alabama fans is whether the Tide's No. 5 ranking means a loss to LSU would not be a Playoff-killer. Before Tuesday night, Saturday's game was widely seen as make-or-break for the Crimson Tide. Maybe it isn't now, but Alabama cannot afford to let its intensity slip a single notch.
Lane Kiffin said the first rankings are not important because so much will change in the coming weeks. For a change, Kiffin is right. Before Tuesday night, Alabama and LSU had much to prove on Saturday. They still do.
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