College Football Playoff Bubble Watch: Alabama anxiously awaits outcome of ACC Championship Game

The penultimate College Football Playoff Rankings have been released, and according to CFP Selection Committee chair Warde Manuel, teams who do not play during conference championship weekend will not move up in the final rankings on Selection Sunday.

So that being said, happy trails to No. 12 Miami, No. 13 Ole Miss and No. 14 South Carolina. Alabama earned the coveted “last team in” designation Tuesday night at No. 11 in the poll since Miami will be out in favor of Big 12 champion Arizona State or Iowa State. The Crimson Tide will be keeping a close eye on the ACC Championship Game on Saturday pitting SMU (11-2) against Clemson (9-3) since a win for the Tigers could present a bid-stealing scenario for Kalen DeBoer’s team.

Manuel said this week Alabama could “potentially” jump SMU in the final rankings if the Mustangs lose to Clemson in Charlotte. If that doesn’t happen, and the ACC is a two-bid league should the Tigers prevail, the Crimson Tide would be pushed out of final rankings and likely head to the Citrus Bowl as a result. 

CFP Bubble Watch: Championship Week

About the expanded CFP

In the first season of the 12-team playoff format, the four highest-ranked conference champions will be seeded 1-4 and receive first-round byes next month. Remaining teams, including the fifth conference champion, will be seeded 5-12 based on the selection committee’s opinion. 

First-round games on campus start Dec. 20 with CFP quarterfinals at bowl sites beginning Dec. 31. The semifinals at the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl will be played Jan. 9 and 10. The national championship is set for Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

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Author : Brad Crawford

Publish date : 2024-12-06 16:59:00

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