Alabama fans have never rooted this hard for Rhett Lashlee. The former Auburn offensive coordinator is now the head coach of SMU and just might hold the Crimson Tide's playoff fate in his hands this weekend.
Unlike last year, No. 11 Alabama won’t be able to play its way into the field by winning the SEC title. Instead, the Tide’s attention will be turned to Charlotte, North Carolina, where No. 8 SMU will face No. 17 Clemson in the ACC Championship Game.
The rooting interest is clear for Alabama. An SMU win eliminates Clemson from stealing a spot as a conference champion and clinches a playoff ticket for the Tide.
Alabama’s playoff hopes wouldn’t be completely dashed if Clemson wins, but it would get a lot more complicated. The Tigers would jump the Tide by clinching a playoff spot as one of the five-highest conference champions. Alabama will also be jumped by the Big 12 champion (either No. 15 Arizona State or Iowa State) for the same reason. That would theoretically knock the Tide out of this year’s 12-team field.
Unless…
Alabama’s one saving grace in this situation would be the committee deciding to drop SMU below the Tide following a loss to Clemson.
Punishing a conference championship game runner-up would undoubtedly stir up some controversy across the college football world. However, a 9-3 Alabama would have three top 25 wins compared to an 11-2 SMU team without one on its résumé.
Would the committee consider dropping SMU below Alabama if the Mustangs lose to Clemson?
“Potentially, yes,” College Football Playoff chair Warde Manuel said when asked following Tuesday’s rankings reveal.
We’ll leave that possible debate for Sunday. For now, Alabama's most direct path is through pulling for Lashlee and his SMU team to take care of business Saturday night. With that in mind, here are five things Tide fans should know as they cheer on the Mustangs.
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Unlike last year, No. 11 Alabama won’t be able to play its way into the field by winning the SEC title. Instead, the Tide’s attention will be turned to Charlotte, North Carolina, where No. 8 SMU will face No. 17 Clemson in the ACC Championship Game.
The rooting interest is clear for Alabama. An SMU win eliminates Clemson from stealing a spot as a conference champion and clinches a playoff ticket for the Tide.
Alabama’s playoff hopes wouldn’t be completely dashed if Clemson wins, but it would get a lot more complicated. The Tigers would jump the Tide by clinching a playoff spot as one of the five-highest conference champions. Alabama will also be jumped by the Big 12 champion (either No. 15 Arizona State or Iowa State) for the same reason. That would theoretically knock the Tide out of this year’s 12-team field.
Unless…
Alabama’s one saving grace in this situation would be the committee deciding to drop SMU below the Tide following a loss to Clemson.
Punishing a conference championship game runner-up would undoubtedly stir up some controversy across the college football world. However, a 9-3 Alabama would have three top 25 wins compared to an 11-2 SMU team without one on its résumé.
Would the committee consider dropping SMU below Alabama if the Mustangs lose to Clemson?
“Potentially, yes,” College Football Playoff chair Warde Manuel said when asked following Tuesday’s rankings reveal.
We’ll leave that possible debate for Sunday. For now, Alabama's most direct path is through pulling for Lashlee and his SMU team to take care of business Saturday night. With that in mind, here are five things Tide fans should know as they cheer on the Mustangs.
Five things Alabama should know about this weekend's ACC Championship Game
Here are five things Alabama fans should know as they cheer on SMU in the ACC Championship Game.
