The College Football Playoff Committee could have it really easy on Sunday when they have to determine the top four teams to play in a national semifinal. Or, they could have a difficult task on their hands.
If the top four (Clemson, Auburn, Oklahoma and Wisconsin) all win on Saturday, they should be locks for the playoff. But if there is an upset, Alabama, Georgia, Miami, TCU, USC and Ohio State are all looking at the possibility of getting in.
Yes, even Alabama, despite the fact that they are not playing for a conference title on Saturday thanks to their loss to Auburn in the Iron Bowl. It was the Crimson Tide's only loss of the season, and it came to a now CFP top four team. But it was enough to get Auburn in the SEC Championship against Georgia.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban was on SEC Network on Saturday, and he said he still believes his team deserves a chance.
"I think everybody’s goal should be to get the best four teams in the game. And I think if you look at the total body of work, good wins, bad losses, the total body of work, the fact that the only game that we lost was on the road in a rivalry game probably to the hottest team in the country at the time, I think our team deserves the opportunity. If someone loses today, I think we would be the next best option to have an opportunity to play for the national championship. I think our team deserves the opportunity to play for a national championship," Saban said.
The committee has shown it is willing to put a team in the playoff that hasn't won a conference title. Last season, the committee put Ohio State in over Penn State, who won the Big Ten championship.
Alabama's resume is strong, but it may not be strong enough. The committee has pointed out Alabama's strength of schedule isn't as strong as others. But if we're being honest, Wisconsin's is worse. So can that really be what keeps Alabama out?
Georgia will get in the Playoff if they beat Auburn, and Miami will move in if they can beat Clemson in the ACC Championship. Ohio State may take Wisconsin's place if they win the Big Ten. Alabama may be able to move into the top four if Oklahoma loses to TCU. USC, the Pac-12 Champion, is out of the question...or are they?
No one can truly predict what the committee will do. All Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide can do is sit and wait.
