Alabama’s College Football Playoff Projections Soar After Tennessee Victory

Alabama’s football program just keeps rolling. The Crimson Tide notched another big win, this time a 37-20 victory over Tennessee.

That’s four straight wins over ranked opponents now. It’s starting to turn some heads, with national outlets updating their College Football Playoff (CFP) projections to reflect Alabama’s surge.

So, where do things stand for the Tide’s postseason hopes? Let’s take a look at the latest projections and what they might mean.

Alabama’s Ascension in the College Football Playoff Rankings

Alabama’s on-field dominance is pushing their CFP projections higher. Brad Crawford, who’s got a pretty solid reputation, bumped Alabama up to the No. 2 seed in his latest outlook.

If that sticks, they’d get a first-round bye and a Sugar Bowl trip on January 1. In this setup, Alabama would face whoever comes out on top between No. 7 Texas Tech and No. 10 Ole Miss.

Impactful Performances Fuel Alabama’s Rise

The Tennessee game had its share of fireworks. Zabien Brown came up huge with a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown right as the second quarter ended.

That play really took the wind out of Tennessee’s sails and put Alabama firmly in control. Crawford even joked that any steakhouse in Tuscaloosa would let Brown pick his cut after a play like that.

With multiple wins over ranked teams, Alabama’s resume might just be the best in the country by December. That’s not an exaggeration—it’s starting to feel like it.

Alternative Projections for Alabama’s Playoff Path

Of course, not everyone sees Alabama in the same spot. Mark Schlabach has them as the No. 4 seed, which would set up a showdown with No. 5 Georgia in the Cotton Bowl on December 31.

Kyle Bonagura also puts Alabama at No. 4 but imagines a clash with No. 5 Oregon in the Orange Bowl on January 1. It’s interesting how much these projections can differ.

Consistency Amidst Adversity

Andy Staples brings yet another angle, placing Alabama at No. 3, just behind Ohio State and Indiana. In his version, Alabama would square off against the winner of No. 11 Vanderbilt and No. 6 Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl.

Staples points out that Alabama’s earlier loss to Florida State seems more like a fluke now. The team has looked dominant lately, and their win over Tennessee showed they can handle the pressure.

Alabama’s Path Forward

Next up, Alabama faces a struggling South Carolina squad. Head coach Kalen DeBoer keeps hammering home the need to stay focused and keep pushing, no matter the opponent.

After South Carolina, the Tide get a week off. That should give them a chance to catch their breath before the final stretch.

Key Factors for Continued Success

There are a few things Alabama’s got to keep doing if they want to keep this run going:

• Maintaining Defensive Prowess: The defense has been huge, especially with plays like Zabien Brown’s pick-six. They need to keep that edge.
• Offensive Consistency: The offense has to stay sharp—taking care of the ball and cashing in on chances.
• Focus and Preparation: Can’t look past anyone, even teams with losing records. One slip-up could change everything.

Alabama’s recent wins have really shaken up the College Football Playoff projections.

Analysts like Brad Crawford, Mark Schlabach, Kyle Bonagura, and Andy Staples all have their own takes, but one thing’s for sure—everyone’s got their eyes on the Crimson Tide right now.

They keep stacking up victories over ranked teams, and honestly, their playoff path is starting to look pretty solid.

If you want to dig deeper or just see the latest updates on where Alabama stands, check out the full article on AL.com.