The College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings were officially unveiled on Sunday, resolving the debate over which team should claim the final spot in the postseason: Alabama or SMU. Despite SMU’s heartbreaking last-second loss to Clemson in the ACC Championship Game, Alabama, with its three-loss season, was left out of the playoffs.
Following the announcement, CFP Chairman Warde Manuel, who also serves as Michigan’s athletic director, appeared on ESPN to provide clarity on the committee’s decision to exclude Alabama. Manuel explained the committee’s reasoning, noting that Alabama’s victories over ranked opponents were taken into consideration. The committee also evaluated SMU’s performance, highlighting the Mustangs’ undefeated conference record and losses only to ranked teams. However, Alabama’s losses to unranked teams, specifically against Vanderbilt and Oklahoma, weighed heavily in the decision.
Manuel explained that strength of schedule was a key factor in the committee’s deliberations. “That’s why Alabama, a three-loss team, is ranked ahead of other two-loss teams,” he said. He further clarified that while Alabama’s schedule was stronger overall, the way SMU played in the ACC Championship Game, losing to Clemson in a dramatic finish, played a pivotal role in the decision. In the end, SMU earned the nod for the final playoff spot, despite Alabama’s impressive strength of schedule.
Manuel emphasized that the decision was not a slight against Alabama’s schedule but rather a reflection of the entire body of work for both teams. This approach led the committee to conclude that SMU, despite its loss, had the edge over Alabama, who suffered multiple defeats during the season, including two to teams with a .500 record.
Alabama’s inability to overcome its three-loss season, including two road defeats to 6-6 teams, left the Crimson Tide out of the playoff race. On the other hand, SMU’s consistent performance, even in the face of a narrow loss to Clemson, secured its place in the postseason.
As a result, Alabama now faces the reality of waiting to find out its bowl destination in the coming weeks, while SMU prepares for its upcoming playoff appearance. This decision reflects the fine balance the CFP committee seeks in considering both the quality of victories and the context of each team’s losses, with the overall strength of schedule still playing a critical role in playoff placement.
