Alabama Football Ranked No. 4 in First CFP Rankings
The first set of College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings for the 2025 season is out, and Alabama fans have reason to feel pretty good. The Crimson Tide, even after dropping an early game, landed at No. 4 in the nation.
This makes Alabama the highest-ranked one-loss team anywhere right now. With a big showdown against LSU just ahead, there’s a lot on the line for their playoff hopes.
Let’s take a closer look at where Alabama stands, what’s coming up, and how the rest of the CFP field is shaping up. There’s a lot to unpack here.
Contents
Alabama’s Position in the CFP Rankings
In the first set of CFP rankings released Tuesday, Nov. 4, Alabama held onto the No. 4 spot. That’s right in line with both the US LBM Coaches Poll and the AP poll, where they’ve also been sitting at No. 4 for a few weeks now.
Their only loss came in the opener against Florida State way back on Aug. 30. Since then, they’ve been strong enough to stay in the top tier of college football.
Significance of the No. 4 Ranking
No. 4 is a big deal—it puts Alabama inside the playoff bracket. The top four in the CFP get a shot at the semifinals, which is the straightest path to the championship.
Alabama’s high ranking, even with a blemish on their record, says a lot about how they’re viewed nationally. The schedule hasn’t been easy, but they’re still right in the thick of things.
Upcoming Matchup Against LSU
Next up? LSU. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Bryant-Denny Stadium. This game matters—a win keeps them in the hunt, and a dominant showing could even bump them higher.
Key Players to Watch
There are a few players to keep an eye on. The quarterback has really stepped up as a playmaker, and the defensive line has been a brick wall for most of the year.
How they handle the pressure in this matchup could decide a lot. It’s not always pretty, but sometimes that’s college football for you.
Broader CFP Landscape
The CFP rankings don’t just spotlight Alabama—they give us a peek at the bigger college football picture. Right now, the top teams are Ohio State, Indiana, and Texas A&M, with Alabama rounding out the top four.
Here’s how the playoff schedule is shaping up, from the first round all the way to the national title game:
First Round Games
- Game 1: 7 p.m. CT, Friday, Dec. 19, ABC and ESPN
- Game 2: 11 a.m. CT, Saturday, Dec. 20, ABC and ESPN
- Game 3: 2:30 p.m. CT, Saturday, Dec. 20, TNT, truTV, and HBO Max
- Game 4: 6:30 p.m. CT, Saturday, Dec. 20, TNT, truTV, and HBO Max
Quarterfinals
- Cotton Bowl: Wednesday, Dec. 31, 6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN
- Orange Bowl: Thursday, Jan. 1, 11 a.m. CT, ESPN
- Rose Bowl: Thursday, Jan. 1, 3 p.m. CT, ESPN
- Sugar Bowl: Thursday, Jan. 1, 7 p.m. CT, ESPN
Semifinals and National Championship
- Fiesta Bowl: Thursday, Jan. 8, 6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN
- Peach Bowl: Friday, Jan. 9, 6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN
- CFP National Championship: Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida; Monday, Jan. 19, 6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN
Potential Playoff Matchups
The possible playoff matchups are already sparking debate. If things hold, Alabama at No. 4 would take on No. 5 Georgia or maybe No. 12 Memphis in the first round.
Other matchups on the horizon include:
- No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 8 Texas Tech / No. 9 Oregon
- No. 2 Indiana vs. No. 7 BYU / No. 10 Notre Dame
- No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 6 Ole Miss / No. 11 Virginia
Implications for Alabama
If Alabama moves past the first round, things get even more interesting. The quarterfinals would be a serious test, but with their current form, you can’t count them out.
Of course, anything can happen in the playoffs. That’s part of the fun—and the stress—of college football in November.
Conclusion
Alabama’s spot at No. 4 in the CFP rankings isn’t exactly a shock, but it does say a lot about how steady they’ve been this season.
The next game against LSU looms large. Fans and analysts are already buzzing about what could happen if they make the playoffs.
Honestly, it’s anyone’s guess how the rest of the season will play out. Keep an eye out for more updates as things get interesting.
