Alabama's Stunning Cfp Ranking Shouldn't Make Kalen Deboer Comfortable

Just about everyone assumed that the Alabama Crimson Tide were on the outside looking in when it comes to the College Football Playoff. How could they not be, right?

Alabama fell to Georgia at home by a score of 20-17 and then went on the road to get hammered by Tennessee 26-10 the following week.

It represented the first time the Crimson Tide had suffered back-to-back regular-season losses since 2007, and even Alabama fans were under the impression that their team wasn't CFP material. At least not at the time.

The Crimson Tide responded with a 31-20 victory over Texas A&M, although it was hardly an impressive win for 'Bama at home, with Kalen DeBoer's squad needing a fourth-quarter rally to pull it out.

So you would think that the CFP selection committee would not be impressed with Alabama given how rough the team has looked over its last few games. That is, of course, until the committee released it CFP Top 25 this week.

Somehow, some way, the Crimson Tide came in at No. 5, to the shock of even the Tuscaloosa faithful. Miami, Georgia, Utah and Indiana comprised the top four.

If the playoff started today, Alabama would be in the field in spite of already having two losses on its resume, which should certainly make DeBoer feel good.

However, it should hardly make him feel comfortable.

All of that good will could come crashing down this Saturday if the Crimson Tide lose at LSU, and it should be noted that 'Bama is a 5.5-point underdog heading into the contest.

A loss would all but surely drop Alabama out of the 12-team field. There is no way the committee could justify keeping a squad that has three regular-season losses, especially considering it would likely mean the Crimson Tide would not even have the chance to compete in the SEC Championship Game.

DeBoer's reputation was starting to look a whole lot better before the consecutive losses to Georgia and Tennessee. That was when PTSD kicked in for Alabama fans, and many started wondering if he was the right guy for the job again.

The good news is that DeBoer has a chance at redemption, and it's clear that the two defeats did not do irreparable damage to the Crimson Tide's CFP chances. Not even close.

But while Alabama may be breathing a sigh of relief after seeing how the committee feels about the team, it still has plenty of business to take care of.

That starts with avoiding a disaster in Baton Rouge this weekend.