Fans of Notre Dame and Miami often argue that the actual game results should carry weight. If that were true, then the recent matchup between BYU and Alabama should have clarified things, but somehow I think the debate will continue.
Let’s begin with BYU. They took a tough loss, going down 34-7 against Texas Tech—an even larger defeat than their earlier game with the Raiders (29-7) this season.
Looking at the situation, BYU’s chances for a College Football Playoff (CFP) spot are basically nonexistent now. Sure, they only have two losses, but both were significant. They faced a strong Texas Tech team that could possibly be one of the best in the country.
The committee had a solid reason for ranking the Cougars 11th. It put them in a position to control their destiny; they had the opportunity to beat the No. 4 team and potentially push Notre Dame into the playoffs—or, they could end up losing and getting dropped in the rankings.
As it turned out, not only did they lose, but it was a substantial loss.
So, BYU is out.
Now, let’s shift our focus to Alabama.
This week, Alabama moved up from 10th to 9th in the rankings, stepping over Notre Dame. The committee seemed to think Alabama could afford a loss in the SEC Championship Game while still being in the playoff conversation.
That “favor” turned out to be vital, as Alabama ended up losing 28-7 to Georgia.
However, looking beyond the score reveals the real issues at play. Alabama’s performance was concerning—Georgia held them to a staggering -3 yards rushing. Those stats will definitely spark some heated discussions on the Paul Finebaum Show next week, as frustrated fans may start questioning Coach Karen DeBoer’s leadership.
But there’s more to it.
As a whole, Alabama could only muster 209 net yards of offense and converted a mere 3 out of 14 third-down attempts. It’s hard to see how a team like that should be in the playoffs, especially coming off a nearly catastrophic performance against Auburn (who finished 5-7).
Realistically, if BYU gets eliminated for a poor showing, shouldn’t Alabama also be in the same boat?
But not so fast.
Alabama still boasts the best win in the nation, having defeated No. 3 Georgia in Athens just over a month ago. Although, as I write this, Indiana is giving the top-ranked Buckeyes a real challenge.
Bama’s schedule strength and overall record surpass that of Notre Dame and Miami. They’ve got seven victories against Top 35 teams, while Notre Dame managed only one and Miami managed two.
True, the Tide has three losses, so the committee is likely to upset Notre Dame for the second week in a row, placing them at No. 10 to create a buffer against the Hurricanes.
Is there SEC bias in the committee? Definitely. Their decision to promote Alabama to No. 9 seems to be a protective move. Yet this bias isn’t just about the SEC; it hints at broader institutional biases.
Should the CFP decide to keep Alabama out of the playoffs after a loss in the SEC Championship, they’d essentially be sending a significant message about the importance of these games, potentially affecting future conference championship scenarios for every involved team.
The committee comprises college football executives who understand how essential these championship games are for revenue and sponsorships.
There may come a day when conference championships aren’t a thing anymore, but that day hasn’t arrived yet.
While the University of Alabama’s status may be debatable, this situation goes beyond just one program. Anything could happen, but it’s unlikely the committee will make drastic decisions anytime soon.
