Unfortunately, we can't say that we're surprised. When it comes to the Alabama Crimson Tide, they've been getting special treatment for years and it looks like nothing has changed in that department. The SEC Network went ahead and reminded us of that.
During a segment on Saturday, the Tide were brought up for the showdown against LSU. Should Alabama lose, which would be their third L of the year, they'd for sure be out of the CFP conversation right? Not so far, according to analyst Heather Dinich, via the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Keep in mind that Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Volunteers took down Alabama earlier in the year. The Vols are 7-1 on the season, but during that same show, fellow analyst Roman Harper said Tennessee has to beat Georgia next weekend and then come out on top the rest of the season. So, a two-loss Tennessee team has no shot to make the CFP, but a three-loss Alabama side still would have hope? Get out of here.
SEC Network suggests Alabama could make playoff with another loss but not Tennessee.
— Adam Sparks (@AdamSparks) November 9, 2024
Consider that pot stirred.https://t.co/16RvTHbr4f
A 3-loss Alabama team would have zero business in the College Football Playoff
"I think that Tennessee has to win out," Harper said via the Knoxville News Sentinel. "That’s a team that scares me because when this thing comes down to being a beauty contest, their schedule might not be the most beautiful contestant out there. Tennessee is a team that is teetering. Tennessee has to win out because of who they have played and how they look offensively."
Because of who they have played? They played Alabama and beat them at Neyland Stadium, Mr. Harper. They suffered a tough road loss to Arkansas, which the College Football Playoff committee is clearly keeping in mind.
However, the Vols checked in at No. 7 for the first CFP rankings of the year. Depending on how things go the rest of the weekend (Miami already lost), we could see Tennessee keep climbing. Countless eyes will be on the Vols next weekend in Athens, but to say their CFP hopes would be dead with a loss to Georgia seems a bit over the top, especially when Alabama gets love like this. We'll hope all this talk won't matter thanks to a Tennessee win at UGA, though.