Alabama Fifth in First College Football Playoff Rankings: Two-Loss Tide Sit Eight Spots Ahead of Tennessee, Drawing Fire
The College Football Playoff selection committee released its first rankings of the 2026 season on November 4, placing the University of Alabama Crimson Tide, based in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, at No. 5. The placement immediately drew controversy: Alabama had lost 26-10 on the road to Tennessee, yet was ranked eight spots ahead of the Volunteers.
Committee chair Hunter Yurachek explained that the committee valued Alabama's 2-2 record against teams in the playoff top 25, better than Tennessee's 1-2, and that the head-to-head result was not the only criterion. Critics noted that three two-loss Southeastern Conference teams - Alabama, Texas and Ole Miss - were all ranked ahead of one-loss Notre Dame, Texas Tech and Wake Forest; 10 SEC teams made the top 25, eight of them ranked higher than in the AP poll, fueling claims of SEC favoritism.
At No. 5, Alabama remains well positioned for a playoff berth. The test comes quickly: the Tide visit LSU on Saturday, and the committee's second rankings will follow those games.
(Source: Sports Illustrated)
Source: Sports Illustrated
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：阿拉巴马大学 Bryant-Denny 体育场。Carol M. Highsmith 摄，公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: Bryant-Denny Stadium, University of Alabama. By Carol M. Highsmith, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
