The Alabama Crimson Tide are back in the College Football Playoff - but not without controversy. While they’re not the lowest-ranked team in the 12-team field, questions are swirling about whether they truly earned their spot. And based on how things played out down the stretch, it’s fair to ask: Did the Tide really do enough to deserve a shot at the national title?
Let’s break this down.
Alabama’s playoff case was built largely in October, when they rattled off wins against Georgia, Vanderbilt, Missouri, and Tennessee. That stretch gave them a résumé that, on paper, stacked up well against other contenders.
But the problem? Their momentum didn’t exactly carry into November.
The Crimson Tide’s offense started to sputter, mistakes piled up, and their performances dipped - notably in a narrow escape against Auburn and a lopsided loss to Georgia.
Despite those late-season struggles, the selection committee didn’t drop them in the rankings. That’s where the controversy starts.
Teams like BYU and Notre Dame, with fewer losses, were left out - even though BYU was penalized earlier in the season for similar inconsistencies. Yet Alabama?
They held firm, and some believe the committee turned a blind eye to their flaws.
The question now becomes: Can Alabama justify the committee’s faith?
Because make no mistake - the committee did them a favor. Whether it was based on brand power, strength of schedule, or something else entirely, Alabama benefited from a decision that left several fanbases scratching their heads.
And the path ahead for the Tide? It’s favorable, to say the least.
They avoid a rematch with Georgia and won’t face Ohio State - arguably the most talented team in the field - unless they both reach the championship game. That’s a pretty smooth road for a team that looked shaky just a few weeks ago.
Of course, this isn’t the first time accusations have flown about how the CFP field is shaped. Former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn didn’t hold back in a recent appearance on the “Stugotz and Company” show. He pointed the finger directly at ESPN and its parent company, Disney, suggesting the network’s deep ties to the SEC - and its media rights deal - may be influencing which teams get the nod.
“This entire process is controlled by ESPN and Disney,” Quinn said. “It’s more of a professionalized model now, like the NFL, but with ESPN pulling the strings. They decide who gets access and who doesn’t.”
Quinn even referenced last year’s playoff field, where three SEC teams made it - only for most of them to fall flat. Texas was the lone exception, making it to the semifinals, but even that run was a close call.
The implication is clear: some believe the CFP isn’t just about performance anymore - it’s about business. And in that world, Alabama, with its massive fanbase and national brand, is always going to be a valuable asset.
Now, none of this is to say Alabama can’t win it all. They’ve got the talent.
They’ve got the pedigree. And if they clean up the offensive miscues and play to their potential, they’re absolutely capable of making a deep run.
But the pressure is on. Because when you’re handed a golden opportunity - one that some say you didn’t fully earn - the only way to silence the noise is to prove you belong.
The Tide’s march through the playoff will be one of the most closely watched storylines of the postseason. Whether they rise to the occasion or flame out early, one thing is certain: the debate over how they got here isn’t going away anytime soon.