Alabama just needed one task to reach the SEC Championship and perhaps an easy path to the 12-team inaugural playoff: win its final few games.
Unfortunately, the Tide would be embarrassed in Norman by the unranked Oklahoma Sooners, knocking them out of the SEC Championship conversation, and perhaps the playoff as well.
Though the Tide has key wins against ranked Georgia, Missouri and LSU, two unranked losses and a loss to a ranked Tennessee have put them in a peculiar spot for postseason aspirations. But with some chaos, the Tide could find themselves back into the playoff conversation.
Greg McElroy gave a few scenarios that could favor the Tide this week, but it is not easy. It would require picture-perfect chaos.
Assuming Alabama can win against Auburn at home, and California could upset SMU in their final game, that would surge Alabama as the next team up for the playoff, according to McElroy. On top of that, if SMU were to win against Miami in the ACC Championship game, the committee would have to weigh in on both SMU and Alabama and find the balance of who would be the better fit within the playoff bracket.
Miami also has to travel to Syracuse this weekend in their final matchup. The 8-3 Orange could potentially give the Hurricanes a tough matchup prior to their conference championship and would cause even more chaos in playoff discussions.
Alabama’s path is not easy, but some things could happen that could favor them. If these things happen, chaos will ensue, and the committee will have to consider every single aspect to putting Alabama back into the Top 12 come playoff decisions.
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