Joel Klatt, a FOX Sports analyst, has proposed a potential, though chaotic, scenario for the Alabama Crimson Tide to sneak into the 12-team College Football Playoff despite their current three-loss record and recent setback to Oklahoma. Alabama, ranked 13th in the latest College Football Playoff (CFP) Top 25, is facing an uphill battle to secure a spot in the Playoff. After a demoralizing 24-3 loss to the Sooners, Alabama’s hopes of making the CFP have become more tenuous, yet Klatt remains optimistic, outlining a path that hinges on a series of events outside of Alabama’s control.
Firstly, Klatt emphasized that the Crimson Tide’s inclusion in the Playoff field is dependent on significant chaos unfolding in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), particularly within the ACC Championship Game. Currently, the ACC appears to be a strong contender for Playoff spots, with teams like Florida State and North Carolina in contention. However, if either of these teams stumbles or if an unexpected result occurs in the championship game, it could open up a spot for a team like Alabama.
For Alabama to move up the CFP rankings and earn an at-large bid, a few key factors would need to fall into place. One crucial development would be for Florida State to lose to an unranked or underdog opponent, creating a massive shakeup in the rankings. In this scenario, the College Football Playoff committee might look past Alabama’s three losses and consider their overall strength of schedule and historical pedigree, giving the Crimson Tide a lifeline into the top 12.
Klatt also mentioned the importance of other conferences like the Big 12 and the Pac-12 in this chaotic playoff picture. In particular, he highlighted the potential for a one-loss team from the Big 12 or Pac-12 to falter in their respective championship games, weakening the pool of one-loss candidates vying for a Playoff spot. If a team from either conference fails to make it to the final four or suffers a loss in a major bowl game, Alabama could be considered as a worthy replacement despite its three losses.
Beyond the conference championship games, Klatt pointed to the overall strength of Alabama’s schedule, which is one of the most difficult in college football. With marquee matchups against teams like Texas and LSU, the Crimson Tide have faced some of the toughest competition in the country. While their three losses might raise concerns, Alabama’s resume could be bolstered by the quality of these opponents, particularly if several of these teams finish with impressive records or make strong runs in their own postseason play.
Another piece of the puzzle is the performance of other playoff contenders, particularly in terms of the final rankings and the selection of at-large teams. If other two-loss or three-loss teams fail to capture the committee’s attention, Alabama might emerge as one of the most viable candidates based on its history, brand recognition, and potential for playoff success.
Ultimately, Klatt’s analysis paints a picture where Alabama’s path to the College Football Playoff isn’t a straight line. It would require multiple teams to falter, upsets to unfold in championship games, and a bit of luck to see the Crimson Tide back in the Playoff fold. While Alabama’s road is undoubtedly complicated and challenging, Klatt believes it is still a realistic possibility — though one that demands chaos to unfold across the college football landscape.
