CFP Committee Ranks Alabama No. 6
When Alabama lost to LSU on Nov. 5, the Crimson Tide lost control of its own destiny in both the SEC and national title races. But after a couple upsets around the country the last few weeks and handling business against Ole Miss, Austin Peay and Auburn, Alabama found itself back in the mix for the College Football Playoff.
However, after Tuesday night's rankings by the CFP Committee, Alabama has a little clearer picture of its chances heading into conference championships weekend.
The committee ranked Alabama No. 6 behind Georgia, Michigan, TCU USC and Ohio State, meaning the Crimson Tide has little chance to make a semifinal unless absolute craziness unfolds.
Both Alabama and Ohio State will not play this weekend and will be relying on teams ahead of them to lose. Even if the top-three teams lose in their respective conference championship games this Saturday, there isn't a guarantee that they will fall out of the top-four spots.
Alabama has wins over two ranked teams in the committee's rankings: Texas at No. 20 and Mississippi State at No. 24. Ohio State has wins over No. 8 Penn State and No. 21 Notre Dame. This was part of what factored into the decision for where the two teams would be ranked according to committee chariman Boo Corrigan.
"Coming out of this week as we looked at Ohio State and the wins that they have over Notre Dame and Penn State," Corrigan said during the selection show on ESPN. "You look at Alabama, and their big wins are over Texas and Mississippi State. They also had a couple games where they played close, two close losses. In the minds of the committee, we came back to Ohio State at No. 5 and Alabama at No. 6."
Because the Crimson Tide and Buckeyes do not play this weekend, nothing can change with how they stack up against each other according to Corrigan, but the four teams ranked ahead still have to get through their games too.
The final rankings show that announces which four teams are in will be Sunday at 11 a.m.
CFP Rankings
1. Georgia (12-0)
2. Michigan (12-0)
3. TCU (12-0)
4. USC (11-1)
5. Ohio State (11-1)
6. Alabama (10-2)
7. Tennessee (10-2)
8. Penn State (10-2)
9. Clemson (10-2)
10. Kansas State (9-3)
11. Utah (9-3)
12. Washington (10-2)
13. Florida State (9-3)
14. LSU (9-3)
15. Oregon State (9-3)
16. Oregon (9-3)
17. UCLA (9-3)
18. Tulane (10-2)
19. South Carolina (8-4)
20. Texas (8-4)
21. Notre Dame (8-4)
22. UCF (9-3)
23. North Carolina (9-3)
24. Mississippi State (8-4)
25. NC State (8-4)
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