Paul Finebaum Names Powerhouse Program on the Verge of Missing College Football Playoff

The 12-team College Football Playoff has kept the postseason hope alive for many teams across the country.

Despite recent years where a two-loss team wouldn't be in contention for the postseason at the end of October, the tide has changed in college football.

One of the most well-known and well-respected programs in college football now has a surprising 5-2 record and is fighting for its playoff hopes.

The Alabama Crimson Tide have proven to be one of the best teams in the league, but their streaky play has bumped them from No. 1 to No. 15 in the rankings in less than a month.

Alabama has suffered losses to Vanderbilt and Tennessee, but they have a strong anchor, with a previous win against then No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs.

SEC college football analyst Paul Finebaum recently spoke on the current state of the Tide when he appeared on ESPN's "Get Up."

While he believes Alabama has solid weapons with guys like Jalen Milroe and Ryan Williams, he also thinks that the Tide are flirting with being eliminated from the College Football Playoff.

Finebaum believes a loss to No. 21 Missouri in Week 9 would end the Crimson Tide's playoff contention.

“Well, let’s go back to 1987 – R.E.M.’s ‘It’s The End Of The World As We Know It’ if the Tide does not win,” Finebaum said. “You know this program. They cannot afford a loss because that would literally knock them out of the playoff."

The Crimson Tide are headed into the game against the Tigers as a 17.5-point favorite, per ESPN BET .

Despite losing to the Tennessee Volunteers, 24-17, in Week 8, many believe Alabama will bounce back big in Week 9.

Finebaum considers a Week 9 victory vital for the Crimson Tide since they still have a few big-time matchups on the schedule, like facing No. 8 LSU later in the season.

Alabama is currently ranked under Texas A&M, LSU, Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, Texas and Vanderbilt in the SEC rankings. They have a 2-2 conference record.

The Crimson Tide have long been recognized as the top team in the SEC. They held a 21-3 SEC record dating back to the 2020-21 college football season before this year, but 2024 has been a different story.

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