If the latest college football rankings hold up, this year's playoffs will look even more different than previously expected.
When the committee announced it would move the playoff format from four teams to 12 teams, it seemed like Alabama would end up in its annual stalemate.
But in the first year of the 12-team playoffs, the Crimson Tide is on the outside looking in.
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Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Karen DeBoer reacts after a fourth-quarter play against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma won 24-3. (Brian Barr/Getty Images)
Here we take a look at a bracket prediction that includes 5 automatic bids and 7 public selections. (Note: A team's seeding is not necessarily the same as its ranking).
automatic bidding
1. Oregon State — Big Ten Representative (11-0, 8-0)
2. Texas — SEC Representative (10-1, 4-1). Ranked 3rd place
3. Miami — ACC representative (10-1, 5-1). Ranked 6th
4. Boise State — Mountain West representative (10-1, 7-0). 11th place
12. Arizona State — 16th Big 12 (9-2, 6-2)
Arizona State defensive back Shamari Simmons (center) celebrates with fans after a 28-23 win over BYU on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 in Tempe, Arizona. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
large scale bidding
5. Ohio State (10-1, 7-1); ranked No. 2
6. Penn State (10-1, 7-1); ranked No. 4
7. Notre Dame (10-1). Ranked 5th
8. Georgia (9-2, 6-2); ranked No. 7
9. Tennessee (9-2, 5-2); ranked No. 8
10. SMU (10-1, 7-0); ranked 9th. Although SMU leads the ACC, the committee projects Miami to win the conference title.
11. Indiana (10-1, 7-1); 10th place
That means the first two teams to be eliminated are Clemson (12th) and Alabama.
University of Oklahoma students and fans rush onto the field after the University of Oklahoma defeated the University of Alabama on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 in Norman, Oklahoma. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
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Alabama and Ole Miss were included in last week's projections, but after losses to Oklahoma State and Florida State, respectively, they are now ranked 13th and 14th, respectively.
Indiana remained in the projected standings despite losing to Ohio State on Saturday. The Hoosiers dropped from 5th to 10th in the nation.
Colorado had its College Football Playoff destiny in its hands, but it will need a lot of help after losing to Kansas State over the weekend.
If Bama misses the playoffs, it will be the first time since 2022, when the Tide finished the season in fifth place. They have made the playoffs eight out of 10 times. When he failed to qualify in 2019, he finished 13th in the country.
Oklahoma Sooners puts his hand on Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4)'s face as he tries to throw in the first quarter at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 23, 2024. Defensive end R Mason Thomas (32). , in Norman, Oklahoma, with Oklahoma State winning 24-3. (Brian Barr/Getty Images)
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Clemson will play No. 15 South Carolina, but a win for the Tigers might not be enough as all the teams in the bracket projections have favorable matchups.
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