Alabama still projected to make Playoff despite stunning loss to Vanderbilt

CFB expert’s updated 12-team bracket has Alabama qualifying as the No. 8 seed.

No matter how you try to slice it or dice it, Alabama’s loss to Vanderbilt on Saturday stings a lot. However, if there was ever a year to have a stunning upset like this, it would be in 2024 under the expanded 12-team Playoff format. Still at 4-1 on the year with impressive wins over Wisconsin and Georgia, the Crimson Tide only fell to No. 7 in both the AP and US LBM Coaches Polls.

Fortunately, Week 6 of the college football season caused problems for many more teams than just Alabama, with five of the top 11 teams falling on Saturday. In the SEC alone, No. 4 Tennessee lost to Arkansas, and No. 10 Missouri got smoked by No. 25 Texas A&M. So the Playoff picture is complete and utter chaos at the moment.

Alabama’s remaining schedule is still very difficult with games remaining against South Carolina, No. 8 Tennessee, No. 21 Missouri, No. 13 LSU, Mercer, No. 18 Oklahoma, and the Iron Bowl against Auburn. Even if the Tide lose another game and fall to 10-2 I believe they will still make the playoffs, but I think they have a chance to run the table.

Andy Staples of On3 Sports projects that the Alabama will make the playoffs as the No. 8 seed where they would host Georgia in the first round. The winner would then take on No. 1 Ohio State in the quarterfinals.

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