Alabama Rises to No. 11 in CFP Rankings as SMU's ACC Title Game Looms Large

Dec 4, 2024, 12:12 AM

Alabama was ranked No. 11 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings released on Tuesday, moving ahead of Miami at No. 12 and positioning the Crimson Tide for a potential playoff spot. The rankings have sparked debate, particularly from Miami's athletic director Dan Radakovich, who questioned Alabama's placement over Miami despite the Crimson Tide's recent 24-3 loss to unranked Oklahoma and Miami's close 4-point loss to ranked Syracuse. SMU, ranked No. 8, will face Clemson in the ACC championship game, and CFP committee chair Warde Manuel indicated that if SMU loses, it could drop below Alabama, stating "Potentially, yes." This scenario could allow Alabama to secure the final at-large bid into the playoff. The projected first-round matchups, should the current rankings hold, include Alabama facing Notre Dame.