Kalen DeBoer couldn’t save the game. After a lot of back and forth, the Tide ended at No. 11 on CFP chart after Week 14. CFP chair Warde Manuel prioritized Alabama over Miami, South Carolina, and others. A lot of backlash followed, but the committee stood firm in their take. But believe us when we say college football reality is more volatile than an unstable climate. Finally, those who were taking a grudge against the Tide for the brand bias can take a sweet breath and watch the party unfold. Alabama isn’t going to the college football playoffs in 2024.

After SMU received a blow from the Tigers, everything changed for DeBoer, and not for the good, of course. If Clemson had lost, the Bama squad would have gotten to thank their stars once again, but it’s football, folks. The Tigers turned the card in an overwhelming victory over SMU, exposing the two teams (SMU, Alabama) to a direct schedule comparison and thankfully or unfortunately, it was SMU’s turn this time. ‘‘We looked at the number of wins Alabama had against ranked opponents. We looked at SMU’s schedule — they were undefeated in conference. Their losses were to ranked teams. But we also looked at Alabama’s losses to unranked teams. It was quite a debate,” Warde Manuel detailed the judgment on ESPN.

It’s a hard pill to swallow for the Bama fans, but it’s what it is. The brand bias debate has come to an end here.

SMU (11-2) earned its stripe by proving to the world that it could compete against a bigger powerhouse. Although they lost to Clemson 34-31 on a 56-yard field goal in the ACC title game, the team put on a spectacular fight all along. SMU broke a sweat for a daunting comeback in the second half, with Jennings sending a tying touchdown pass to Roderick Daniels Jr. with 16 seconds left on the clock. But the Tigers refused to give away and turned it within 56 yards of the field goal. Nolan Hauser’s kick finally granted them the much-awaited title.

The Mustangs, for the very first time in the season, had trailed more than 11 points, but nothing to regret. It didn’t cost them an inch. ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips spilled the scenario beforehand, noting SMU should “unequivocally” make the playoff even before the official ranking is released. Last but not least, SMU’s playoff entry marked the committee safe from another robbing offense charge.

Rhett Lashlee would have bashed the committee in case of a potential snub

Last week’s CFP ranking offended a slew of coaches, including Rhett Lashlee. Despite having fewer losses than the Bama, a lower rank didn’t sit well with the HC. When the natural math argued that an SEC loss could have been detrimental to their playoff path, the veteran coach opposed it like anything.

SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee said it would be a criminalistic feat for the CFP selection committee to kick his team out of the playoff after Saturday’s 34-31 ACC championship game loss to Clemson.

“It would be criminal if we are not in,” Lashlee said. “It would be wrong not just to our team but to what college football stands for.”

He continued batting for his team: “We could have not showed up, and according to what we saw Tuesday night, we’d be in. We showed it. We should be in. They know we should be in.”

They literally moved the game to a tie from a colossal deficit in the closing minute. Referring to the unsung effort, Lashlee said America saw what exactly they are capable of as a team. Apart from the fact that they need to take care of a bad start, coach Lashlee thinks they absolutely deserve to be in the thick of the top 12.

It will be riveting to see how the Mustangs can live up to their close luck down the road.