AUBURN, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 30: Najee Harris #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide dives for a touchdown against the Auburn Tigers in the first half at Jordan Hare Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)For the first time ever, we will have a College Football Playoff without Alabama. Auburn’s 48-45 win in the Iron Bowl officially eliminated the Crimson Tide from consideration.
Alabama had been the No. 5 team in the playoff rankings the last couple of weeks. Many thought the committee was preparing to slot the Tide in the fourth and final spot in the ultimate playoff field.
That won’t be happening now. The SEC could still get two teams in the playoff if Georgia beats LSU next weekend, but the Crimson Tide will be on the outside looking in.
FiveThirtyEight has updated its College Football Playoff predictions following Alabama’s loss. Here’s what they look like.
Note: this is listed in order of a team’s likelihood of making the playoff, not necessarily what order they will be seeded.
- Clemson – 94 percent chance
- Ohio State – 87 percent chance
- LSU – 61 percent chance
- Georgia – 51 percent chance
Oklahoma is fifth with a 43 percent shot at the playoff. Utah (30 percent) and Baylor (21 percent) are sixth and seventh respectively.
Next weekend is championship weekend, so we’ll see what the 538 model looks like after the conference titles have been handed out.
You can view 538’s full updated predictions here.
