Despite a dismal 3-loss season, which included a 24-3 loss to unranked Sooners, the Tide has earned a berth in the CFP. Both fans and experts are furious over this choice, claiming that other teams, such as the Rebels and SC, were more worthy. Many think that Alabama was chosen over teams with comparable or superior records in large part because of its historical significance and the well-known brand image it carries. Critics took to social media to blast the Playoff Committee for seemingly favoring Alabama, even after their recent struggles. However, an Auburn alum arrives in the midst of all this turmoil to defend Alabama under Kalen DeBoer’s leadership regarding the team’s playoff prospects.

Cole Cubelic lost his temper and went off on critics questioning Alabama’s playoff fate on Josh Pate’s College Football Show 588 episode on December 6th, saying, “I think South Carolina’s playing the best right now who has the best resume. I think Alabama has the best resume. Alabama also has head-to-head.” You gotta know that head-to-head matchups are king right now, and they trump everything else. As a result, the debate became even more complex because it was really about Alabama, South Carolina, and Ole Miss, with a dash of Miami thrown in. “I take Miami out of that just based on the resume,” the Auburn alumnus stated. Thus, according to Cubelic, Ole Miss and SC are on the same track, but we cannot disregard Alabama’s record because they defeated South Carolina, LSU, the Vols, and other schools.

As of now, “And if you want to talk about the close losses down the stretch, we should also go talk about your four close wins, which all could have been losses, but nobody wants to mention those anymore; it’s like they don’t really count for anything, so I just think that you have to at least open it up and talk about all aspects of it.” And Cubelic didn’t stop there; he confidently added, “I think Alabama is getting in. Yes, I do think that is a home run 100% right way to hand it,” encouraging Josh Pate to disclose all the details for Alabama. The program is currently rated No. 11.

However, the reason behind the nationwide outcry over Alabama’s playoff bid is yet unknown. Hope you see things clearly from Warde Manuel’s point of view.

Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama’s playoff ranking picture

The committee’s choice to place Alabama at number eleven is instructive. The Tide, with a 9-3 record, are surprisingly in the playoff hunt despite losses to Vanderbilt and an average Oklahoma. Well, it seems like they’ve just snuck in. Once more. You may also think back to last year, when the Seminoles’ starting quarterback Jordan Travis was injured and the Crimson Tide, who had only one loss, overtook Florida State, who had never lost, for fourth place.

Hence, the pattern is obvious. The tide is always given the benefit of the doubt, even in a season like this one when there aren’t many statistics to support their claim, and even supporters gave up on the season a few weeks ago after the humiliating 24-3 loss. However, on Tuesday, Manuel arrived prepared to explain why the committee preferred Alabama over Miami (10-2) or even other 9-3 teams like South Carolina and Ole Miss. He cited Bama’s 3-1 record versus the top 25 teams at the time, which was the best among them. On top of that, he cited Miami’s 4-2 record and Bama’s 6-1 record versus teams with a .500 or above.

That being said, if you overlook the fact that Miami’s two defeats against Georgia Tech and Syracuse are worse than Alabama’s two poor losses, then those are strong arguments. And right now, Bama’s playoff hopes are hanging by a thread, despite the bias.