Bama not dead, need help to make playoff
AUBURN, Ala. — This time, Nick Saban and No. 1 Alabama had plenty of time to absorb the shock. For the second time in four years, the Crimson Tide left Jordan-Hare Stadium with what had been a perfect record no longer unblemished, and boarded buses back to Tuscaloosa, where they will remain for more than a month.
With the 26-14 loss to No. 6 Auburn, Alabama’s run of three straight SEC titles had ended. But unlike after their 2013 “Kick Six” defeat, the Tide’s national championship hopes remain alive.
Following his team’s first loss by double digits in more than seven years, Saban found himself in the unfamiliar role of trying to convince the country his team should be considered for the College Football Playoff.
“I think this team deserves the opportunity to get in the playoff by what they’ve accomplished and what they’ve been able to do,” Saban said. “I really don’t know what all the scenarios might be where we would have an opportunity to do it. I certainly would like to see this team get the opportunity to do it. I think they deserve it.
“I don’t think one game defines who you are. It certainly doesn’t define this team.”
After reaching each of the first three playoffs, Alabama (11-1) can only watch, and wait to see what happens next week. A precedent favorable to the Tide was set last year when one-loss Ohio State failed to qualify for its conference title game, and was named the No. 3 seed.
The winner of the ACC title game between No. 2 Miami (10-1) and No. 3 Clemson (11-1) is a lock, with the Hurricanes’ stunning loss to Pittsburgh ensuring the ACC won’t receive two bids. The winner of the SEC title game between No. 6 Auburn (10-2) and No. 7 Georgia (11-1) will also advance, leaving two available bids.
If No. 5 Wisconsin (12-0) defeats No. 9 Ohio State (10-2) in the Big Ten Championship, the undefeated Badgers would be in, but if the (likely favored) Buckeyes win, an avenue would open for the Tide, who hold one fewer loss.
An even better scenario for Alabama could arise from the Big 12 title game.
If No. 4 Oklahoma (11-1) beats No. 12 TCU (10-2), Baker Mayfield and the Sooners will reach their second playoff of the past three years, but if the Horned Frogs win, they aren’t likely to earn much support from the committee, which has looked down on the conference in the playoff era. In two of the three years, the Big 12 has been left out.
No other contender will have fewer losses than Alabama, have a more acceptable loss (on the road against the No. 6 team in the nation) or look better on the eye-test, but the Tide also have been hurt by a weak strength of schedule, with their season-opening win over then-No. 3 Florida State becoming worthless after the Seminoles went 5-6.
For the first time since the last time Alabama left Jordan-Hare Stadium, the Tide are no longer in control.
“If we would have won that game it would have been straight,” defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne said. “Now we just have to leave it up to fate. There’s nothing we can do now.”