The first College Football Playoff rankings of the 2026 season turned plenty of heads, but Alabama’s spot at No. 5 is the one that lit up the conversation.
The Crimson Tide opened 5-0 under Keelon Russell before the season started to wobble. Georgia handed Alabama a 20-17 loss at home, then Tennessee beat the Tide 26-10 the following week. Alabama did steady itself with a win over Texas A&M, but that wasn’t enough to quiet the surprise when the committee slotted the Tide inside the top five.
That placement looks even more jarring when stacked against the rest of the board. Tennessee checks in at No. 13, while Kentucky - a team Alabama beat soundly earlier in the year - is sitting at No. 6.
The reaction online came fast and loud.
“Alabama at No. 5 is ridiculously overrated, maybe the most overvalued team in the initial CFP rankings history.”
“Doesn't the committee realize Nick Saban is not at Bama anymore???”
“Alabama, which owns multiple losses and a defeat by 16 points to a Tennessee team that is not even in the projected playoff field, is ranked No. 5 in the initial College Football Playoff committee rankings.”
“Alabama No. 5
They don’t even watch the games, man”
“Alabama comes in at No. 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings.
Even Alabama fans think that's preposterous. pic.twitter.com/DCobaBvt3y”
“I don’t really think that the playoff rankings matter until selection Sunday, so I try not have strong feelings one way or another, but man, the committee makes sense. That’s been the constant since day 1.
Just no consistency. Alabama #5?
Really? Smh”
“So I guess the SEC is the only conference in CFB where you get rewarded for losing? A 6-2 Alabama team has no place in the top 5 let alone top 10.
The rankings are just becoming irrelevant when outcomes of the games don't matter.”
“Only reason Alabama is ranked number 5 is either because they’re getting the benefit of the doubt for the missed DPI against Georgia, or they’re really impressed w/ the win Alabama has had against Kentucky and South Carolina.
In no world should we be ranked number 5.”
“Alabama at #5 is one of the worst things I’ve seen in years… there is simply no way”
There’s still a long way to go before Selection Day on Dec. 6, but Alabama’s ranking already has people talking.
And the Tide still have work ahead. Their remaining schedule includes a road game at LSU, which is No. 14 in the initial CFP rankings, then a trip to Vanderbilt, a home game against in-state FCS foe Chattanooga, and finally the regular-season finale at home against Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
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