Week 13 came with a reality check for the world of college football. The top seven teams tasted a defeat, which has now completely changed the entire dynamics of college football playoffs. It was more brutal for the SEC teams. Major football programs, including Alabama, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M, suffered significant setbacks against unranked teams and now their defeats have raised concerns.
A week ago, the college football rankings were different, and majorly SEC was leading, but can Alabama, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M still have a chance to play in the playoffs? Their upsetting performance when the playoffs are around the corner has left Stephen A. Smith mad. On November 29, the YouTube channel Millo Ners shared a conversation between Stephen A. Smith and Paul Finebaum. Steph, the TV personality and sports journalist, was shocked to know that Paul Finebaum still thinks the SEC is the best league after all the week 13 chaos.
He did not hold back and said, “I must confess to you, sir. I’m very, very disappointed in your words. I’m very disappointed because, let me tell you something right now. I mean, you should have said it. Listen, Alabama didn’t lose to an SEC. You’re talking about Alabama, Ole Miss and I think who was it? It was Alabama Ole Miss and Texas A&M; they lost to unranked teams that were teams in the SEC. I mean, what does that say about the SEC? Is it time, Paul, I say for us to stop calling the SEC the best conference in football in college football? I think it’s a fair question.”
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Ahh, he has a point to make. No doubt Alabama, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M have disappointed their fans and the entire world of college football. See, the new head coach of Alabama, Kalen DeBoer, has seen many ups and downs this season, but that guy gave his everything to see the Tide in the playoffs, faced criticism, and whatnot? But what did the team give him in return? Their worst performance of the season was in week 13 when the national champion in the weeks.
Talking about Ole Miss, they played their do-or-die game and last week against the Florida Gators; they lost by 17-24, which has now ended their playoff hopes but the rivalry week is here and they will play against Mississippi. Will Lane Kiffin and his squad end the season on a positive note? Meanwhile, Texas A&M has also ended their playoff hopes after Auburn handed them their narrow defeat 41-43 in overtime. Now, that’s disheartening because they had an amazing first half of the season with back-to-back eight victories but their two losses in the last four weeks came as a reality check for head coach Mike Elko. Now that Ole Miss and Texas A&M have lost their playoffs, hope lets see if Alabama can make it to the national champion game.
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Can the Alabama Crimson Tide enter the 2024 playoffs?
Kalen DeBoer was left disappointed in week 13 and the reason was the poor performance from his offense. Captain Jalen Milroe, the key player who was expected to lead the team, displayed his worst performance, but when? In the week game, which could have solidified their play off hopes. Well, do you know Alabama did not score even a single touchdown last against Oklahoma? Yes! You heard it right. 3-24, the final score speaks for it.
Do they still have a chance to enter the playoffs? According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, the Tide has only a 37.7% chance to enter the playoffs. Tide is forever going to remember their defeat against Oklahoma. However, rivalry week is here and college football is going to witness some thrilling games. Tide can still have some chances in the playoffs if other SEC teams lose to their big rivals, which will improve their rankings. After their recent loss, they dropped their rankings to No. 13. Now the big question is: will Milroe and DeBoer get through this difficult time and change their destiny with a victory over Auburn?
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Is the SEC's reign over, or can Alabama still prove they're the kings of college football?
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