After two October losses that seriously jeopardized Alabama’s Playoff hopes, the Tide responded with three straight wins against No. 21 Missouri, No. 15 LSU, and Mercer to get back into the 12-team conversation. In fact, with wins over Oklahoma and Auburn in the coming weeks, plus a Missouri win over either Mississippi State or Arkansas, Alabama would advance to Atlanta, for the SEC Championship Game.
While a road trip to Norman, OK, and the Iron Bowl are anything but shoo-in victories, the ESPN Playoff Predictor gives the Crimson Tide a 71% chance to make the 12-team field. Based on ESPN’s current projections, the SEC would likely get five teams into the tournament with Texas (94%), Georgia (92%), Tennessee (66%) and Ole Miss (62%) all more likely than not to make it.
It is hard to take too much away from the Tide’s victory over FCS-foe Mercer, and even LSU and Missouri have started to slip, but the Crimson Tide have looked like serious national title contenders the past month. QB Jalen Milroe has been dominant with his feet, but to win a championship he is going to have to beat teams with his arm as well. However, the biggest difference maker has been the Crimson Tide defense who has allowed just 20 points in their last 180 minutes of football.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.