The latest College Football Playoff rankings have set the stage for an exciting finish to the season. On Tuesday night, the rankings revealed that three three-loss teams from the SEC—Alabama, Ole Miss, and South Carolina—are still in the hunt for a playoff spot. However, these teams have their work cut out for them in the coming weeks.
Three-loss teams on the rise
Currently, Alabama sits at No. 13, Ole Miss at No. 14, and South Carolina at No. 15. While these rankings are promising, they don’t guarantee a spot in the coveted top 12. With only two weeks left in the regular season, the question looms: Can these teams make a significant leap in the rankings?
The selection committee has shown in the past that they’re not afraid to rank teams with multiple losses if they believe those teams deserve a higher spot. In fact, Warde Manuel, the CFP selection chair, emphasized this point during a discussion with ESPN’s Rece Davis. “Well, I think the appetite is there to rank the teams as we see them,” Manuel explained. “If a team with one more loss than a team in front of them, and we feel like they should be ahead of them, then we’ve shown that we will do that.”
Looking ahead: The competition
The current rankings place Alabama, Ole Miss, and South Carolina ahead of some two-loss teams from the Big 12. For example, Arizona State is ranked No. 16, Iowa State at No. 18, and BYU at No. 19. This positioning raises an intriguing question: What happens if teams like Miami or SMU stumble and end up with three losses? Could a three-loss SEC team leapfrog them and inch closer to the all-important top 12?
Manuel provided some historical context, noting, “In the past 10 years, in the history of the CFP, there have been 22 teams that have been ranked in the top 12 with three losses.” This statistic highlights the committee’s willingness to consider teams with multiple losses if they believe those teams are deserving.
The stakes are high
However, it’s important to remember that simply being in the top 12 doesn’t guarantee a playoff berth. The top four conference champions will earn automatic bids, along with the fifth highest team. This means that a team ranked 12th—or even 11th—could find themselves on the outside looking in if the circumstances don’t play out in their favor.
So, what does this mean for Alabama, Ole Miss, and South Carolina? They must not only focus on winning their remaining games but also hope for favorable outcomes in other matchups across the country. The road to the playoffs is a challenging one, but the SEC teams are not without hope.
What’s next for the SEC trio?
For Alabama, Ole Miss, and South Carolina, the next two weeks are crucial. Each team has the potential to make a statement that could resonate with the selection committee. A strong finish could bolster their chances of breaking into the top 12, but they will also need to keep an eye on the performances of other teams.
The excitement of college football lies in its unpredictability. As teams battle it out on the field, fans are left wondering who will rise and who will fall. With the rankings so tight, every game counts.
Can three-loss teams find their way in?
The possibility of a three-loss team making it into the playoff picture is intriguing. As the committee has shown, they are open to ranking teams based on their performance rather than just their loss record. This gives teams like Alabama, Ole Miss, and South Carolina a glimmer of hope.
But what will it take for these teams to secure a spot? Consistency, resilience, and a little bit of luck will be essential. They need to focus on their own games while hoping for the right outcomes elsewhere.
As the season winds down, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The excitement surrounding the College Football Playoff rankings is palpable, and fans are eager to see how it all unfolds. Will the SEC trio rise to the occasion and secure a playoff spot? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the journey to the playoffs is far from over, and anything can happen in the world of college football.
