In a season where expectations were sky-high and the path to the College Football Playoff (CFP) seemed almost inevitable, the Alabama Crimson Tide has been shut out of this year’s playoff picture. After a series of close calls, key losses, and the relentless demands of a brutally competitive SEC, the Tide’s hopes of a playoff berth have been dashed. It’s a shocking turn of events for a program that has long been a fixture in the national championship conversation. For Alabama, the dream of competing for the CFP title is over, at least for this year.
For years, Alabama has been the standard of excellence in college football. Head coach Nick Saban’s ability to reload his team each year with talent, discipline, and a win-at-all-costs mentality has made the Crimson Tide the benchmark by which all other programs are measured. Since the inception of the CFP in 2014, Alabama has made every appearance but one, and that lone miss came in 2019, a season marred by injuries. For the past decade, a season without Alabama in the playoff would have been unfathomable. But as the 2024 playoff selections unfolded, it became clear that Alabama’s reign at the top had come to an end, at least for now.
Coming into the season, Alabama seemed poised to make another deep run. Despite losing a few key players from last year’s squad, the Crimson Tide still had enough talent to be considered one of the top teams in the country. They boasted a formidable defense, a reliable quarterback in Jalen Milroe, and a coaching staff that was as experienced as they come. For much of the season, Alabama lived up to the hype, remaining near the top of the rankings. But as the season progressed, cracks began to show.
One of the major obstacles for Alabama was their inability to close out some critical games. Early in the season, Alabama faced a tough road challenge against a talented Texas team. Despite showing resilience and making a late push, the Tide fell short, losing 34-24 to the Longhorns. That loss, while not catastrophic on its own, set the tone for a series of near-misses and hard-fought wins that would haunt Alabama’s playoff hopes.
Alabama’s SEC schedule was as grueling as ever. While they managed to dominate most of their conference opponents, they suffered a devastating loss to LSU, another top contender in the SEC. The 30-27 defeat in Baton Rouge was a gut punch, not only because of its impact on Alabama’s standing in the conference, but also because of the way the Tide failed to execute in key moments. Alabama’s defense, traditionally one of the best in the country, was exposed by LSU’s high-powered offense, leaving fans questioning whether the Tide could still hang with the best teams in the nation.
Then came the annual Iron Bowl, one of the most intense rivalries in college football. Alabama found itself in a must-win situation to keep their CFP dreams alive, but Auburn proved to be a tough adversary. The game went into overtime, and while Alabama pulled off a dramatic win, the victory wasn’t enough to erase the damage done earlier in the season.
The reality of Alabama’s exclusion from the CFP was sealed with the final conference championship games. With multiple undefeated teams still standing, Alabama’s two losses — including a heartbreaking loss to LSU — placed them on the outside looking in. The selection committee, after reviewing all the data and considering the strength of schedules, decided that Alabama’s resume wasn’t strong enough to justify a spot in the four-team field. The Tide finished with a respectable 10-2 record, but in an ultra-competitive season, that simply wasn’t enough.
The absence of Alabama in the College Football Playoff raises a critical question: is this the end of an era for the Crimson Tide? Under Nick Saban, Alabama has been a perennial powerhouse, making the playoff almost every year. But now, for the first time in a long time, they are on the outside looking in. This season’s disappointment may signal a shift in the balance of power in college football, particularly in the SEC.
One of the primary reasons for Alabama’s playoff miss is the rise of other elite programs, especially within the SEC. Georgia, with its dynastic defense and efficient offense, has firmly taken the mantle as the most dominant team in college football, while LSU and even Tennessee are showing signs of resurgence. While Alabama remains a contender, they are no longer the undisputed kings of the SEC. The competition within the conference has never been fiercer, and Alabama now has to face the reality that they may not always have the same level of dominance they once did.
Another factor that played a role in Alabama’s exclusion from the CFP is the changing landscape of college football, particularly the increasing influence of the transfer portal and NIL deals. Alabama has historically been able to recruit top-tier talent, but as other programs become more active and aggressive in the transfer market, Alabama must adapt to these new realities. Nick Saban, known for his adaptability and innovation, will likely take this season’s setback as a challenge to reassess his approach to recruiting, player development, and team management.
Despite their exclusion from the CFP, Alabama isn’t down for the count. With one of the best coaching staffs in the country and an ever-growing talent pool, the Tide will be back in contention soon enough. The program has weathered challenges before, and there’s little doubt that Saban and his team will regroup and focus on returning to the top.
For this season, Alabama’s attention will now shift to a major bowl game, where they will look to finish strong and build momentum for the 2025 season. While the disappointment of missing the CFP will undoubtedly sting, Alabama’s tradition of excellence ensures that their return to playoff contention is only a matter of time.
As for the 2024 season, Alabama’s playoff dream may have crashed, but the legacy of the Crimson Tide remains undeniable. The road to the CFP might be blocked for now, but Alabama’s quest for another championship is far from over.