Alabama football's College Football Playoff stock is on the rise following a 42-13 win over LSU in Baton Rouge on Saturday night.
On Tuesday, the committee released its updated playoff ranking, and the Crimson Tide moved up a spot from No. 11 last week to No. 10. Alabama is ranked one spot lower in the playoff rankings than they are in the AP Poll. Miami, ranked 12th in the AP Poll, is somehow ranked 9th in the playoff poll (and the No. 4 seed as the fourth-highest-ranked conference champ) following a loss to Georgia Tech.
The playoff rankings get a little bit jumbled due to the top four seeds being reserved for the four highest-ranked conference champions. Ohio State is ranked No. 2 by the committee, but behind fellow Big Ten member Oregon, so the Buckeyes slide down to the No. 5 seed as a result.
Penn State is ranked No. 4, but the No. 6 seed. And Alabama's projected opponent, the No. 7 seed, is actually ranked No. 5. But while the Crimson Tide would have to play a team ranked higher than their seed, I think most Alabama fans would be thrilled with the projected matchup.
As the 10-seed, Alabama would go on the road to play the No. 7 seed in the opening round of the College Football Playoff. According to the committee, the No. 7 seed is the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers.
It has been a dream season in Bloomington and head coach Curt Cignetti, a former Alabama assistant, should be at the top of everyone's coach of the year ballots. But Alabama would probably be close to a double-digit favorite or more even on the road against the Hoosiers.
This would be the first ever matchup in football between Alabama and Indiana.
Alabama's path following the Indiana game would see them matched up with No. 2 Texas in one of the New Year's Six bowl games. There's a good chance if things break how many expect that the Crimson Tide and Longhorns will play one another in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta with a playoff bye on the line.