Is Alabama eliminated from the playoffs? How Iron Bowl win over Auburn could help Crimson Tide in unlikely CFP pursuit

After last week’s loss to Oklahoma, Alabama’s playoff chances suffered a massive blow, slipping to No. 13 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings.

The crucial time for teams to build their playoff resumes has arrived, and the Crimson Tide’s loss came at a critical time. The committee will make its final decisions for the bracket on December 8th.

On Saturday, however, head coach Kalen DeBoer’s team will face Auburn in the Iron Bowl to close out its regular season and make Alabama’s final attempt to improve its playoff prospects.

Could the Crimson Tide still sneak into the playoffs with the top 12 teams with a win against Auburn on Saturday? Here’s a look at Alabama’s position in the playoff race and how it could get into the round.

MORE: SEC Championship Game Scenarios, Explained

Is Alabama eliminated from the playoffs?

Alabama lost 24-3 to Oklahoma last week, the team’s third loss of the season. Given past losses to Vanderbilt and Tennessee, it’s difficult to make a case for the Crimson Tide as a playoff team right now.

However, that doesn’t mean Alabama doesn’t have a chance from the outside. DeBoer’s team’s final chances would have to start with a win over Auburn on Saturday; Another loss would put the Crimson Tide at 8-4, with losses to three unranked opponents, far too many to argue the team should make the playoffs.

Had Alabama beat Oklahoma last week, its path to the CFP and the SEC Championship Game would have been much easier. Now quarterback Jalen Milroe & Co. will probably need outside help in addition to a win over Auburn.

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Playoff scenarios for Alabama

As previously mentioned, Alabama’s path to the playoffs absolutely begins with a win over the Tigers in Week 14. From there, the team would need help with surprising losses to some of the rest of the currently scheduled playoff teams.

In the earlier Saturday games, the Crimson Tide would push for Vanderbilt to upset No. 8 Tennessee, although the Volunteers held a 31-17 lead in the third quarter of that game. Elsewhere, there will be some complicated outcomes if South Carolina can beat Clemson, which finished 12th in the last CFP rankings.

Alabama is coming off a straight win against South Carolina. Even if the Gamecocks beat Clemson, there is a chance they could fall behind the Crimson Tide in the rankings. Many of Alabama’s playoff scenarios could depend on the CFP committee’s opinion.

A Miami loss to Syracuse or a Notre Dame loss to USC could also help Alabama climb back into the rankings, although it would be only the second loss for both teams. The same goes for potential surprise losses by SMU to Cal or Indiana to Purdue.

At this point, the Crimson Tide will need to lose to current playoff teams to secure an at-large spot. The odds aren’t particularly good for Alabama – but this is college football and anything can happen.

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2024 College Football Playoff Rankings

Who are the top 12 teams in the latest CFP bracket poll? (November 26th)

*Despite being ranked 12th, Clemson is expected to miss the 12-team field in favor of Arizona State, the projected Big 12 champion.

The first four teams are eliminated

*Arizona State is expected to advance to the 12-team field as Big 12 champions

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