Alabama Crimson Tide football holds true to their standard in 12-team playoff bracket prediction

The Crimson Tide may not kick off fall camp until Wednesday, but it's never too early to predict how the season will end.

For the Tide, there is both optimism that Kalen DeBoer will unlock Jalen Milroe and keep Alabama's tradition alive, yet anxiety about the first season post-Nick Saban.

Well, for college football analyst Travis May of A to Z Sports , it's safe to say he thinks the Tide are going to be right where they belong.

First Round: Penn State @ Alabama

Alabama exposes Penn State in a round-one trouncing.

Penn State would have made the hypothetical 12-Team College Football Playoff several times had it been instated when the 4-team playoff model began back in 2014. Given their rather soft schedule with only one near impossible opponent (Ohio State) to play, Penn State could end up in the Big Ten Championship game or just on the outside looking in if Drew Allar steps up this fall at quarterback.

However, Alabama's depth of talent is still far greater than Penn State, and Jalen Milroe likely proves to be a much more dynamic multi-faceted offensive threat than perhaps anything else Penn State will face all year long. That paired with the Crimson Tide's crushing run game pushes Alabama through to the quarterfinals. - Travis May, A to Z Sports

Quarterfinals: Florida State vs. Alabama

Alabama hands Florida State a huge wake up call as the most talented team the Seminoles will face all year by a wide margin.

DJ Uiagalelei should provide a steady hand at quarterback for Florida State against their entire ACC slate, but when it comes time to defeat an swarm of five star talents on defense he has been known to fall short. Florida State still has solid depth up front and on the edges of their defense, but they don't have the same level of elite playmakers like Trey Benson and Keon Coleman from a year ago. That bites them here in a loss to Alabama. Travis May, A to Z Sports

Semifinals: Ohio State vs. Alabama

Ohio State proves they are far from "soft" anymore, as their ground game actually proves superior to Alabama's.

Will Howard's dual threat ability, TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins in the backfield, and Chip Kelly's offensive scheme stressing the edges all day wins them the day in a close game. Alabama actually has some relative unknowns on the edge this season after losing Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell to the NFL. That likely gets exposed against the best of the best. Travis May, A to Z Sports

Reaction

Falling in the semifinal in back-to-back years would be heartbreaking for Tide Fans, but I think everyone who is fanatical about the Capstone would be happy with another trip back to the playoff, much less a deep run as predicted here.

There is a lot of unknown around the program for the first time in decades. Optimism is high but until players face off against other SEC opponents, the team's intimidation factor may have worn off, no matter how ignorant that statement sounds.

We'll see if the Tide can turn this prediction into a reality, or go even further.

For May's full predictions and explanation of the CFP expansion, click here .

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