It’s finally Selection Sunday for the College Football Playoff, and excitement is in the air! Fans and teams alike are on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the announcement of the coveted playoff spots. This year, there’s a burning question that the selection committee is grappling with: Should the Alabama Crimson Tide or the SMU Mustangs earn a place in the playoff?
Alabama vs. SMU: The Showdown for the Last Spot
As the dust settles from the conference championship games, it appears that there’s just one spot left in the new 12-team field. The other teams in contention seem to be more focused on jockeying for seed positions rather than worrying about making it into the playoff. However, the stakes are high for Alabama and SMU, both of whom have compelling cases to be included in the playoff lineup.
Analyzing the Resumes
Ahead of the final rankings, ESPN took a closer look at the resumes of both Alabama and SMU on SportsCenter, highlighting four critical factors that could sway the committee’s decision.
Alabama
– Strength of Record: 9th
– Game Control: 6th
– FPI (Football Power Index): 6th
– Strength of Schedule: 16th
SMU
– Strength of Record: 15th
– Game Control: 12th
– FPI: 13th
– Strength of Schedule: 60th
These metrics paint a vivid picture of the two teams’ performances throughout the season. While Alabama boasts a higher ranking in each of the key metrics, the glaring difference in Strength of Schedule could be a significant factor in the committee’s deliberations.
SMU’s Journey to the Championship
The Mustangs, representing the ACC, finished their season with an impressive 11-2 record. However, their journey took a heartbreaking turn when they lost the ACC Championship Game to Clemson on a last-second field goal. Earlier in the season, they also suffered a defeat against a strong BYU team, which adds another layer of complexity to their playoff aspirations. Will the loss to Clemson be enough to push them out of contention? That’s a question that has many fans speculating.
Alabama’s Rollercoaster Season
On the other hand, the Crimson Tide wrapped up their regular season with a 9-3 record, missing out on the SEC Championship Game. All three of their losses came from tough SEC matchups against Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. Yet, Alabama also boasts a marquee victory over conference champion Georgia, along with wins against South Carolina and Missouri, which are highly regarded. Can these strong performances outweigh their losses in the eyes of the selection committee?
Key Metrics Favor Alabama
In each of the critical metrics shared by ESPN, Alabama holds a higher ranking than SMU. The most striking difference lies in the Strength of Schedule, where the Mustangs sit at 60th in the nation. This discrepancy highlights the challenges SMU faced in the ACC compared to the rigorous competition within the SEC.
Despite these advantages, the outlook for Alabama might not be as rosy as it seems. Analyst Paul Finebaum offered a sobering perspective on the Crimson Tide’s playoff chances.
Finebaum’s Take on Alabama’s Chances
“If you were sitting at Alabama and said, ‘Let’s come up with the worst possible scenario for us,’ — it happened last night in Charlotte,” Finebaum stated. “Up until the fourth quarter, Alabama was in the playoff because SMU had not looked playoff worthy, and then it all changed. The committee, sitting in that big room, respects competition.”
Finebaum continued, “When SMU came back, I think everything changed in that room. They felt, as Rhett Lashlee said, it probably would be criminal to leave them out. It wouldn’t be criminal in all reality, but that’s the perception. I think ultimately what got Alabama in last year is going to keep Alabama out this year.”
Looking Ahead
With the final College Football Playoff rankings set to be revealed at 12:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, December 8th, the anticipation is palpable. Fans of both Alabama and SMU are holding their breath, hoping for their teams to secure a spot in the playoff. Will the selection committee prioritize Alabama’s stronger metrics and schedule, or will SMU’s impressive season and dramatic finish sway their decision?
As the clock ticks down, college football enthusiasts across the nation are reminded of the beauty and unpredictability of this sport. The stakes are high, the tension is real, and the passion for college football is as strong as ever. Who will emerge victorious in this battle for the final playoff spot? Only time will tell!
