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Alabama football fans are in an uproar after the Crimson Tide were ranked outside the top four in the latest College Football Playoff (CFP) standings, a ranking that many feel is unjust, given the team’s strong season performance. Once the gold standard of college football under head coach Kalen Deboar Alabama’s absence from the coveted top-four spots has sparked widespread frustration among supporters, who argue that the rankings fail to account for the team’s historic success, tough competition, and ongoing talent development.
At present, Alabama sits outside the top four, which is crucial for securing a spot in the College Football PlayoffThey point out that Alabama has faced some of the toughest teams in college football, with many SEC programs considered to be among the nation’s elite. Despite their loss, Alabama has consistently remained competitive, showcasing the kind of talent that has propelled them to multiple national championships in recent years.
One of the key sticking points for fans is the perceived disregard for Alabama’s strength of schedule. The Crimson Tide are known for playing a grueling slate of games within the SEC, which regularly features top-ranked programs like Georgia, LSU, and Tennessee. Critics contend that the College Football Playoff selection committee has not sufficiently weighted this factor when comparing Alabama to other programs, especially teams with weaker schedules or who have benefited from playing in conferences perceived to be less competitive. As a result, Alabama’s impressive resume has been overshadowed by the narrative surrounding teams from other conferences, which fans feel is unfair.
Further fueling the discontent is Alabama’s continued success in recruiting and player development. Despite the loss of star players to the NFL, the Tide have shown an ability to reload and remain competitive year after year. Quarterback Jalen Milroe has emerged as a dynamic force this season, while Alabama’s defense continues to rank among the nation’s best. The fact that Alabama remains a top-tier team with talent across the board—even without its usual roster of NFL-caliber stars—has many wondering why the committee is not giving them the credit they deserve.
Alabama fans are also frustrated by the selection committee’s seeming favoritism toward teams from other conferences, particularly those like Michigan and Ohio State, who have played comparatively weaker schedules. There is a growing sense among Alabama supporters that the CFP rankings are driven less by on-field results and more by factors like conference affiliation, marketability, and recent media narratives. Many feel that teams with historical success, like Alabama, should be given more respect when it comes to rankings, as they have a proven track record of competing at the highest level year in and year out.
With the expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams on the horizon, some fans view this as an opportunity to fix what they see as a broken system. The frustration with Alabama’s ranking has reignited the debate over how the CFP committee evaluates teams, with many arguing that long-term success, historical performance, and roster depth should carry more weight than the result of one or two games in a season.
Despite their ranking setback, Alabama still has the chance to prove themselves and earn a spot in a major bowl game. A strong finish to the season, with wins over remaining opponents, could still put them in the conversation for a Playoff berth. However, the current snub has left a sour taste in the mouths of many Alabama fans, who feel their team has been unfairly treated in the ranking process.
