Despite a challenging 9-3 season, Alabama’s path to the College Football Playoff remains alive, albeit narrow. The Crimson Tide sits at No. 11 in the rankings, and Athletic Director Greg Byrne isn’t staying quiet about their chances.
Drawing from his NCAA Basketball Tournament Committee expertise, Byrne presents a compelling argument. “The committee has a tough job,” he acknowledges to AL.com, “but looking at their core principles, especially strength of schedule and selecting the 12 best teams – we belong in that conversation.”
The numbers back his confidence. Alabama’s resume features battles against five ranked opponents, setting them apart from other contenders. Byrne emphasizes this isn’t just about win-loss records: “You can’t simply compare two losses versus three. The complete picture matters.”
While a Week 13 victory over Oklahoma would have sealed their fate, Byrne argues that Alabama’s challenging schedule should carry significant weight. “Teams taking on tough conference schedules plus demanding non-conference matchups deserve recognition,” he insists. “That commitment to competitive play should be rewarded.”
Current projections have the Crimson Tide heading to South Bend for a showdown with Notre Dame in the first round, though much hinges on the ACC championship clash between SMU and Clemson. One thing’s clear – Alabama isn’t ready to bow out of the playoff conversation just yet.
Alabama’s Playoff Push: Greg Byrne Makes Bold Case for Crimson Tide’s Top-12 Spot
