Alabama’s resum still CFP worthy? Why its case is getting worse each week
Several wins have lost value
Alabama’s victories over Kentucky and South Carolina helped support its high ranking. Since then, Kentucky has fallen to 7-3 after a second straight loss, while South Carolina dropped to 6-4 after losing 34-6 to Arkansas.
Other Alabama opponents have also struggled. LSU fell to 6-4 after losing to Texas, and Mississippi State and Texas A&M each reached 4-6 following Week 11 defeats. The article counts five of Alabama’s eight wins as less impressive after those results.
The other wins came against East Carolina, Florida State and Vanderbilt. Alabama’s final two regular-season opponents are Chattanooga and Auburn.
Committee faces a ranking choice
The article says the committee could move Alabama down without abandoning its own recent approach. In Week 10, Indiana dropped from No. 4 to No. 9 while on a bye.
Alabama plays FCS Chattanooga in Week 12, a game the article likens to a bye. It suggests the committee could use the matchup and Alabama’s weakened résumé to move the Tide to No. 5, though it expects the team may remain at No. 3 or higher.
Other teams raise questions
ESPN’s Football Power Index places Alabama sixth in strength of record and strength of schedule. The article questions why unbeaten UCLA, at 10-0, and 9-1 Miami should rank below a two-loss Alabama.
The article also notes that teams in the Big 12 have traded losses, while the conference’s top team has a better record than No. 1 Georgia. It argues that conference reputation should not, by itself, keep Alabama ahead of teams with fewer losses.
Key points
- Alabama beat Vanderbilt 21-6 but remained under scrutiny at No. 3.
- Five of Alabama’s eight wins look less impressive after opponents’ recent losses.
- Alabama’s remaining games are against Chattanooga and Auburn.
- The article questions Alabama’s position above unbeaten UCLA and 9-1 Miami.