The absence of Alabama from last season’s College Football Playoff was one of the more surprising storylines for fans and analysts alike. Finishing with a 9-3 record, the Crimson Tide found themselves at the 11th spot in the final rankings, ultimately being the first team left out of the playoff picture. In an unexpected twist, they were passed over for an SMU team that finished 11-2 in the ACC, raising eyebrows across the college football landscape.
For all the talent and strength in Alabama’s schedule, which included impressive wins against perennial powerhouses like Georgia, LSU, and Auburn, the Tide also stumbled in critical moments. Notably, they suffered defeats to Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and a blowout loss to Oklahoma by three touchdowns. These missteps painted a stark picture of inconsistency that would be hard to overlook.
Despite those setbacks, Alabama’s discontent regarding their playoff exclusion is palpable. Head coach Nick Saban expressed his frustration earlier this week, hinting at the competitive nature of their schedule and questioning whether other potential playoff contenders could have navigated it as poorly. “You wonder what would have happened if other people would have played our schedule,” he remarked, prompting some valid reflections.
It’s a reasonable inquiry to consider whether other top-tier teams would have faced the same fate against lesser opponents like Vanderbilt or experienced a significant defeat at the hands of Oklahoma. While such questions are intriguing, they don’t erase the fact that when a program like Alabama loses three games, the playoff complaints ring hollow. The Tide had ample opportunities to stake their claim to a playoff spot throughout the season but lost their grip after those critical defeats.
Sure, Alabama may very well have been one of the 12 best teams in the nation last year, but when the final selection comes down to resumes, those glaring blemishes can’t be ignored. Games lost against lower-ranked teams are far more damaging to the playoff argument than any victories might compensate for. If anything, this year’s experience serves as a reminder that the path to the playoff is most certainly earned, not given.
