So, Alabama’s in the College Football Playoff

“But Alabama didn’t even win its own division!”

– Thousands of whiners, 2011 2017

After Auburn lost the SEC championship game, I was so sure Alabama wouldn’t make it that I didn’t much think about it. Now that they’re in, of course I’m delighted.

Urban Meyer didn’t have much to say about it. How can he? His team also went to the CFP last year without winning its conference. He’s muzzled by circumstance. That’s OK. He’ll have more time to hunt down that cameraman. And I may or may not be imagining Urban Meyer as Elmer Fudd right now.

Some Auburn fans, predictably, defined their position relative to Alabama. (Not all Auburn fans do this, but way too many do.) “Well, we lost the game, but at least we probably screwed Alabama too,” went the logic. It’s a small, petty way to look at things, and one that some significant percentage of the Auburn fan base never seems to get over.

This won’t be boring. Alabama is the only team to make the playoff every year since its inception, and this is the third year in a row they’ll play Clemson (though this time in a semifinal). I had some lingering doubt about Dabo Swinney, but I don’t anymore. He’s the real deal.

The winner will play either Oklahoma or Georgia for the title. Clemson and Oklahoma would be a revenge tour for the Tide, so that’s fun to think about. An Alabama-Georgia title game would be satisfying in a different way.

I’m pleased Alabama has four weeks to heal.

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2 thoughts on “So, Alabama’s in the College Football Playoff”

  1. “It’s a small, petty way to look at things, and one that some significant percentage of the Auburn fan base never seems to get over.”

    I think the percentage of the Alabama fan base that does this is about equal.

    But nothing, and I mean NOTHING, is even comparable to how the Saints fans reacted (and still do) to Atlanta’s implosion in the superbowl vs New England. We have been awarded lifelong championship in the petty bowl.

    Reply

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