Alabama Moves Up in CFP Rankings After Iron Bowl Win, Eyes SEC Title Clash with Georgia
With the penultimate College Football Playoff rankings now out, Alabama is inching closer to the top-tier conversation. Following a gritty 27-20 road win over Auburn in the Iron Bowl - a game that had all the chaos and drama you’d expect from one of college football’s fiercest rivalries - the Crimson Tide has climbed to No. 9 in the CFP rankings.
That win didn’t just add another tally to the win column. It locked Alabama into a high-stakes SEC Championship Game showdown with No.
3 Georgia, set for Saturday, Dec. 6 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
CT on ABC, and you can bet the college football world will be watching.
Crimson Tide Trending Up at the Right Time
Alabama’s rise in the rankings comes at a critical moment. They’re sitting at No. 9 in the CFP poll, while the Coaches and AP polls have them at No.
- That slight bump may not seem like much on paper, but when the playoff committee starts splitting hairs between top-10 teams, every inch matters.
The Iron Bowl victory wasn’t flawless - Alabama had to grind it out in a hostile environment - but it was the kind of win that shows resilience. And when you’re trying to convince the committee you belong in the playoff, how you win can matter just as much as the win itself.
The Road Ahead: Georgia Awaits
Now comes the real test. Georgia, ranked No. 3, is the reigning powerhouse in the SEC and a perennial playoff contender.
Alabama will need more than just grit - they’ll need execution, discipline, and likely a few explosive plays to pull off the upset. A win over Georgia wouldn’t just earn Alabama the SEC title - it could catapult them into serious playoff contention, depending on how the rest of the bracket shakes out.
Here’s Where Alabama Stands in the Latest CFP Bracket
In the current 12-team playoff format, Alabama would be part of a potential first-round matchup against No. 8 Oklahoma.
The winner of that game would move on to face No. 1 Ohio State in the quarterfinals.
Here’s how the full bracket looks right now:
- No. 1 Ohio State vs.
**No. 8 Oklahoma / No.
9 Alabama**
- **No.
2 Indiana** vs. **No.
7 Texas A&M / No. 10 Notre Dame**
- No. 3 Georgia vs.
**No. 6 Ole Miss / No.
11 Virginia**
- **No.
4 Texas Tech** vs. **No.
5 Oregon / No. 12 Tulane**
So yes, Alabama has work to do. But a win over Georgia would not only bring home another SEC title - it could dramatically change their playoff path.
Key Dates for the College Football Playoff
If Alabama does crack the playoff field, here’s what the road to the national championship looks like:
First Round
- Game 1: Friday, Dec. 19, 7 p.m.
CT (ABC/ESPN)
- Game 2: Saturday, Dec. 20, 11 a.m.
CT (ABC/ESPN)
- Game 3: Saturday, Dec. 20, 2:30 p.m.
CT (TNT/truTV/HBO Max)
- Game 4: Saturday, Dec. 20, 6:30 p.m.
CT (TNT/truTV/HBO Max)
Quarterfinals
- Cotton Bowl: Wednesday, Dec. 31, 6:30 p.m.
CT (ESPN)
- Orange Bowl: Thursday, Jan. 1, 11 a.m.
CT (ESPN)
- Rose Bowl: Thursday, Jan. 1, 3 p.m.
CT (ESPN)
- Sugar Bowl: Thursday, Jan. 1, 7 p.m.
CT (ESPN)
Semifinals
- Fiesta Bowl: Thursday, Jan. 8, 6:30 p.m.
CT (ESPN)
- Peach Bowl: Friday, Jan. 9, 6:30 p.m.
CT (ESPN)
National Championship
- Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL: Monday, Jan. 19, 6:30 p.m. CT (ESPN)
Final Thoughts
Alabama is in that familiar position - not quite in, but very much in the mix. The Iron Bowl win was a statement, but the real opportunity lies ahead in Atlanta.
Beat Georgia, and the playoff door swings wide open. Lose, and the Tide may find themselves on the outside looking in.
Either way, the stakes are clear. Alabama’s path to the playoff runs through the Bulldogs, and the Crimson Tide wouldn’t have it any other way.