What does the loss to Tennessee mean for Alabama's season and Playoff chances?

If it wasn’t before, it has become quite evident that the Nick Saban era is over for the Alabama Crimson Tide. From walking into a rivalry game with cigars already in their mouth, 15 penalties for 115 yards, and two losses before the start of November for the first time in 17 years, it was a very frustrating day for Alabama fans.

Now, the Crimson Tide sit at 5-2 on the year with their Playoff hopes in serious jeopardy. If this were the four-team Playoff like previous years Alabama’s chances would be done, however, with the expanded 12-team field, there will be a handful of teams that qualify with two losses so there is no reason to throw in the towel on the Crimson Tide just yet. But, Alabama will certainly have to win their remaining five games to make it in.

Auburn, Mercer, Missouri and Oklahoma are all still left on the schedule, but their Playoff chances will really boil down to their road trip to Baton Rouge in three weeks time. Both Alabama and LSU will enter this contest coming off a bye, and with the Tigers already having a loss on their resume, the game will have a massive impact on their Playoff hopes as well. Georgia knocking off Texas yesterday likely ended Alabama’s chances of making it to the SEC Title in 2024.

Ultimately, the path to the Playoff is simple for Alabama: win out.

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