Alabama just makes the cut in season’s initial College Football Playoff rankings

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Alabama’s defense is coming off a shutout against Missouri. (University of Alabama Athletics)

The first projected College Football Playoff bracket of the season was released Tuesday night and as expected, the Crimson Tide made the top 12.

This is the first year with an expanded playoff which means there will likely be at least one 2-loss team to make the field. Alabama is hoping its strength of schedule and a potential 10-2 record would get them into the playoff but that would mean the Crimson Tide has to win out.

Keep reading to see the full rankings, projected bracket + take a quick look into Saturday’s showdown between Alabama and LSU.

College Football Playoff rankings

Alabama was ranked 11th in the initial rankings which put them at the 11-seed of the projected bracket. The Crimson Tide is matched up with Texas which would pit the two teams against each other in Austin just before Christmas.

Here’s a look at the top 12 of the CFP rankings:

  1. Oregon
  2. Ohio State
  3. Georgia
  4. Miami
  5. Texas
  6. Penn State
  7. Tennessee
  8. Indiana
  9. BYU
  10. Notre Dame
  11. Alabama
  12. Boise State

Some of those rankings are not reflected in the bracket due to the playoff rules. The top four seeds in the bracket along with a first-round bye go to the four highest ranked conference champions.

Alabama at LSU

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Alabama @ LSU” by Redbird310 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

There may not be a more daunting setting in college football than a nighttime kickoff at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.

That’s exactly the challenge that Alabama has awaiting for itself after a bye week. There’s plenty of pressure already building for this game as both team’s enter with two losses, making it a likely make-or-break game for both teams’ playoff hopes.

“Whether that is what it is or not, that’s how we’re gonna approach it even though we really don’t need to say too much in regards to that. We’re just focusing on what we can do right now in the moment and really honing in on the kind of mindset that you’re only as good as your last play.”

~ Kalen DeBoer, Alabama coach

LSU was just outside the field of the initial playoff rankings, sitting at #15. However, a win for the Tigers would likely bump them into the top 12.

The game is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 9 with kickoff scheduled for 6:45PM on ABC.

Where do you think Alabama will be in the final playoff rankings of the season? Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on InstagramXFacebook + LinkedIn.

Caleb Turrentine
Caleb Turrentine
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