Will the latest traditional polls help Alabama Crimson Tide potential Playoff seeding?

Theoretically, the CFP Selection Committee pays little or no attention to the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. The traditional polls mostly carry the perception of being popularity polls. That is true even with the Coaches Poll because so many coaches choose to delegate the rankings to staffers.

So the Playoff selection process is restricted to one human poll, with the help of analytics. As the season winds down, maybe the Selection Committee should make some notes from the latest traditional polls.

The Alabama Crimson Tide moved up two spots in both polls to No. 7. Among SEC teams, the Texas Longhorns are ranked the highest at No. 3 in both polls. Alabama Football is the second-highest-ranked team in both polls, followed closely by Georgia (No. 8 in both polls), Ole Miss (No. 9 in both polls), Tennessee (No. 10 in the AP and No. 11 in the Coaches), Texas A&M (No. 15 in Coaches and No. 15 in AP), and South Carolina (No. 19 in both polls). Missouri dropped out of the traditional polls, Top 25, with the Tigers being the first team out in the AP Poll and the second team out in the Coaches poll.

Presumably based on the Sept. 28 result, the Alabama Crimson Tide has a slim vote advantage over the Georgia Bulldogs in both polls.

Alabama Crimson Tide and Schedule Strength

What the Playoff Selection Committee should note is the credit Alabama, Georgia, and Ole Miss receive, despite two losses. The three SEC teams are ranked above one-loss teams, Miami, Boise State, SMU, BYU; and undefeated Army. One reason may be poll voters give more credence to schedule strength than the Selection Committee.

Alabama Crimson Tide fans can feel optimistic about Alabama's Playoff chances. Concerns can mostly turn to seeding, providing the Crimson Tide takes care of business and finishes the regular season at 10-2.