Let’s start with the easy one.
Rooting for #7 Alabama football is the top priority if you’re a Crimson Tide fan.
Alabama (8-2, 4-2 SEC) needs to win in the regular season to stay alive for the College Football Playoff and the SEC Championship Game. That means beating Oklahoma on Saturday (6:30 p.m. CT, ABC) in Norman, Okla., and winning the Iron Bowl the following weekend.
From there, different outcomes can occur.
If you win, Alabama will not only be ready to make the CFP, but also show up in Atlanta with a chance to win the SEC and an automatic bid to the play-off. But other results in college football are still worth watching. Alabama is not completely in control of its own destiny.
There are several games that will impact the Crimson Tide reaching Atlanta and where Alabama could be placed in the 12-team playoff field.
For the week of November 22, here’s an Alabama fan’s guide to games and teams that could help the Crimson Tide advance in the CFP rankings and in the race to reach the SEC Championship Game. All games are shown in central time.
No. 23 Missouri in the state of Mississippi
Logistics: 3:15 PM on SEC Network in Starkville, Mississippi
Root for: Missouri
Your support for this game focuses solely on SEC Championship Game implications. If you’re one of those who doesn’t want Alabama to reach the conference title game, then you want a different outcome here. But if you’re like Captain Tyler Booker… who wants to play in Atlanta again, and then make the case for the Tigers.
If Missouri (7-3) wins this game, all Alabama needs to do is win to win the conference title game.
No. 5 Indiana at No. 2 Ohio State
Logistics: 11am on FOX in Columbus, Ohio
Root for: State of Ohio
Indiana (10-0) is undefeated and in fifth place; the CFP committee may be focusing too much on the record and not enough on the weak schedule the Hoosiers have played. But this week, Indiana actually faces one of the best teams in the country in the Buckeyes (9-1). Win this game and the Hoosiers will show they are legit. Lose, and all those previous victories will look terribly hollow.
If Indiana loses, the committee would likely drop the Hoosiers below the Crimson Tide in the rankings, even with one loss. So root for Ohio State to clear some space for Alabama.
Army #19 at Notre Dame #6
Logistics: 6pm on NBC/Peacock in The Bronx, New York
Root for: Army
If Army (9-0) can hand Notre Dame (9-1) a second loss, the Fighting Irish would fall to the Crimson Tide. It’s unlikely that Alabama will host a playoff game (seems like you either win the SEC or go on the road in the first round, which is explained here), but it wouldn’t hurt for the Crimson Tide to climb past Notre Dame in the standings for now.
No. 4 Penn State in Minnesota
Logistics: 2:30 PM on CBS in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Root for: Minnesota
If the Nittany Lions (9-1) lose, they are another prime candidate to fall below the Crimson Tide. Penn State has a ranked win (over No. 25 Illinois) and a ranked loss to No. 2 Ohio State. Add in a second loss and the committee could move the Nittany Lions past Alabama. Again, that might not make a difference to Alabama’s likely path of SEC winner or road playoff team, but it wouldn’t be a bad thing for the Crimson Tide to continue climbing the rankings for now.
Kentucky at number 3 Texas
Logistics: 2:30 PM on ABC in Austin, Texas
Root for: Kentucky
If the Wildcats can find a way to upset the Longhorns (9-1), it’s possible Texas could fall below Alabama. That would make the Crimson Tide the top-ranked SEC team, which wouldn’t hurt. However, this ranking is of less importance; It could be arranged within two weeks. Alabama will likely face the Longhorns in the SEC Championship Game, as long as Texas beats Texas A&M next week.
No. 9 Ole Miss in Florida
Logistics: 11am on ABC in Gainesville, Florida
Root for: Florida
Not Alabama need Ole Miss (8-2) loses to the Gators, but if the Rebels lose another game, it would be good for the Crimson Tide. In the scenario where Alabama goes to the SEC Championship Game and loses, the Crimson Tide would suffer a third loss. The CFP committee may not penalize the Crimson Tide for picking up another loss during conference weekend, but we don’t know yet. The less competition the better for those last few playoff spots, and Ole Miss will likely be one of those teams in the mix for an at-large bid.
Nick Kelly is a beat writer from Alabama AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X And Instagram.
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