The month of November is the last month of the regular season. It is also the last chance for a team to make its case for the College Football Playoffs. The #8 Alabama Crimson Tide had a big opportunity to come off the bye-week and make a statement at home in week 10 versus the #14 LSU Tigers. The Tide possesses a talented roster, but the biggest questions concerned their consistency. Since the start of the season, the Tide has not played a complete game from start to finish. This game against LSU was not an opponent to not show up and play half a game for. Alabama took care of business against LSU with a 42-28 score to make it their best win of the season. After a solid win in November against a quality opponent, the Tide are right back in control for the College Football Playoff.
Alabama Getting Hot at the Right Time After LSU Win
Jalen Milroe Takes Control of His Offense and Team in LSU Win
The Tide hasn’t played a complete game on the offensive or defensive side of the ball all season. Alabama needed quarterback Jalen Milroe to step up. Milroe not only shed the game-manager role, but he also became the leader of the Tide’s offense. Milroe was nearly perfect as he made quick and easy decisions not to wait for the passing plays to come to him. Instead, Milroe took immediate action to make quick runs for solid gains. Milroe completed 15-of-23 of his passes for 219 yards and a QBR of 96.4. He made a bigger impact in driving the ball down the field and securing touchdowns on the ground. Milroe rushed for 159 yards and four touchdowns on 20 carries. The offense built their game plan around the RPO-playmaking skills of Milroe. The offense needed a leader, Milroe became the star player.
Alabama’s Path to the College Football Playoff After LSU Game
The Tide have had a surprisingly high percentage to make the CFP despite playing poorly through half of the games this season. The CFB Playoff Committee views Alabama as higher than the AP or the Coaches Poll.
According to ESPN, Alabama has a 41.1% percentage to make the CFP, which is the fourth highest in the nation. They are just below Ohio State, Florida State, and Michigan. They are, however, projected higher than Texas (the team they lost to in week two) and Georgia. Alabama ranks fourth based on ESPN’s Football Power Index and they possess a better strength of schedule.
After the win over LSU, Alabama, once again, controls its own destiny by winning out and becoming SEC Champions. Alabama has a 29% chance to make the CFB, according to ESPN’s Allstate Playoff Predictor behind Ohio State, Florida State, Michigan, and Georgia. Michigan and Ohio State will face each other in the last week of the season and their schedules are weak.
Alabama and Georgia Set for Another SEC Championship Matchup?
Once again, the fate of the SEC is set to be in the hands of Alabama and Georgia. They haven’t faced each other since the 2021 season. The Tide defeated the Bulldogs in the 2021 SEC Championship Game 41-24. Georgia was able to get revenge in the 2022 CFB National Championship game 33-18. After a year of not facing each other, the rivalry is likely to be renewed in Atlanta in conference championship week. Alabama is getting their second wind and finally looking like a serious playoff contender after the win over LSU. Georgia, while undefeated, has not been the same dominant team from the past two seasons.
Barring any shocking events for Alabama or Georgia, they should meet up for the SEC Championship. Unless multiple shocking upsets occur in the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten and PAC-12, only one SEC team is getting in the CFP.
