College Football Playoffs: Joel Klatt Names 12th Side That Will Be Selected for a Controversial Reason

Rivalry week for Alabama and Auburn hit differently. Do you remember all the trash talk Auburn’s linebacker Demarcus Riddick did? He confidently claimed that he wouldn’t “lose” to Alabama while he was at the Tigers. Well, the victory proved who is better and why. We all know this season, Captain Jalen Milroe and the head coach had a similar year with lots of challenges. But did they give up? No! They bounced back stronger every week, and on Saturday, they proved it again by securing a 28-14 victory over rivals Auburn. But will that make a way for them in the playoffs?

Week 13 came with lots of disappointment for Tide. They had an opportunity to secure a place in the playoffs; all they had to do was defeat OKL. But unfortunately, they put on a flop show and did not score even a single touchdown. Still! Jole Klatt, a football analyst, feels that they can enter the playoffs. Yes! You heard it right.

On his podcast, “The Joel Klatt Show,” he named the 12th seed, “I believe that the last team in the playoff is going to be Alabama. It’s just what I believe now; you can argue all you want that Ole Miss should be in there.” He further backed his statement and added, “I do believe based on how they’ve treated Indiana and SMU at times, and other teams that don’t have the brand of others can carry the day, and the path of least resistance in this case, I think, would be Alabama. Now that’s a prediction; that’s not what I’m arguing for; that’s just a prediction. I think that Alabama is going to go to the college football playoff as the 12th seed unless Clemson were to win, and then they’d probably be the 12th seed, and you get what I’m saying: even if SMU loses, I think Alabama is going to go, and I think that’s going to break people’s minds.”

DeBoer’s leader made a comeback after a disappointing week and took charge. He passed for 256 yards and rushed for 104 yards. Additionally, he made three crucial touchdowns and tried his best to keep their playoffs alive. But will his late performance leave an impression on the committee?

The entire world of college football has witnessed the committee’s unfair behaviors this season. Indiana has been their biggest target, and now that the playoffs are around the corner, we can witness the importance of rankings. Alabama is a big program that holds its own legacy, but will the committee really consider their brand, as Klatt mentioned? Time will reveal the reality. Moving forward, let’s find out Kalen DeBoer’s perspective on making it to the playoffs.

Why should Kalen DeBoer and Alabama make it to the CFP?

DeBoer has a big responsibility on his shoulders as he dares to fill in the big shoes. On Saturday, he witnessed the best rivalry game against Auburn. Now, this victory is definitely going to be special for DeBoer, but it holds more significance than just that. Tide had lost three games this season, and their playoff picture is not clear. When DeBoer was asked if they deserved to enter the playoffs with three losses, he did not hesitate to put his points forward and gave a long speech.

“I think everyone is aware of our schedule,” DeBoer said. “I don’t know the exact stats, but I know we beat four Top 25 teams throughout the year. I don’t know how many, if anyone, have done that. When you talk about the schedule and what it is week to week, it’s just a grind. Having to come back every week, the only conference that has to do that is ours. That’s what I would say. We’ve won four of our last six. Playing some physical football and having continued to excel in that area with what the game is all about. I think those are two pretty big deals. We’ve beaten some high-quality teams, teams that are still out there still playing some good ball themselves, and just winning four of the last six in the back half of the season.”

Alabama did its part by winning in week 14, but destiny also played a role and helped them a bit. Miami and Clemson were standing ahead of them in the playoff rankings, but their losses have put a big question on their playoff hopes. At the same time, their defeat can help Alabama get into the playoff bracket. In one week, the CFP bracket will be out. Now the question is, will they jump in safely?

<