As the College Football Playoff rankings continue to shape the postseason picture, the CFP Selection Committee chair offered insights on several key teams, including Alabama, Miami, and SMU, ahead of the final week of regular-season action.
Alabama, currently ranked No. 11, finds itself in a tense position heading into the weekend. The committee chair confirmed that the Crimson Tide’s fate largely hinges on the outcome of the ACC Championship Game between Clemson and SMU. If SMU wins, Alabama is expected to make the playoff, but a Clemson victory could complicate matters. The chair noted that a close win by Clemson would likely secure them the automatic bid, potentially leaving Alabama out of the playoff picture. However, if SMU were to lose in a close game, the committee would reassess the strength of its overall performance and could drop them below Alabama in the final rankings, depending on how the selection criteria play out.
In contrast, Miami’s chances appear less promising. Despite a solid season, the committee chair stated that the Hurricanes, who are not in a conference championship game, would likely not jump over Alabama or other teams vying for a playoff spot. The chair emphasized that teams without a championship game appearance would not have the necessary data points to improve their position ahead of the final rankings.
The Group of 5 race remains tight, with the winner of the matchup between No. 20 UNLV and No. 10 Boise State earning an automatic playoff berth. The chair noted that while both teams have impressive seasons, the winner will need to make a strong case for inclusion against other playoff hopefuls.
As championship weekend looms, the selection committee’s final decisions will hinge on the outcomes of key games, with Alabama’s playoff hopes hanging in the balance.
