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Update: There were a lot of questions about Alabama’s performance heading into the championship game but the Crimson Tide showed why they’re still the top team in the conference and why Nick Saban is the top coach in the country.
Saban’s Tide dominated the Georgia Bulldogs 41-24 to win the SEC championship game, cementing their spot in the College Football Playoff. The Bulldogs won’t be happy about this loss, but they’re also going to be headed to the playoff. Alabama was a 6.5-point underdog in this game and was able to get anything it wanted offensively against Georgia, even with John Metchie’s injury.
Bryce Young further bolstered his Heisman case with an impressive showing, and Saban added another win over a former assistant. The beat rolls on for Bama.
The No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide control their destiny as to whether they’ll make the College Football Playoff. If they beat Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, they’re likely the No. 1 seed in the four-team tournament for the national championship.
But if they lose ... well, let’s take a look at some scenarios.
CFP implications if Alabama loses to Georgia
If Alabama gets blown off the field in Atlanta on Saturday, they’re likely going to the Sugar Bowl as part of the New Year’s Six, and any hopes of playing for another title will fall by the wayside.
However if they can lose in a close game (say by a field goal in a game where they look competitive with the best team in the country), there are some scenarios where they could still play for the title. Here are ones that would favor Alabama:
- If No. 13 Iowa beats No. 2 Michigan in the Big Ten Championship
- If No. 21 Houston beats No. 4 Cincinnati in the American Conference Championship
- If No. 9 Baylor beats No. 5 Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship
Each of those scenarios might free up a Final Four spot for an Alabama team that goes toe-to-toe with UGA. It might take one, or it might take two, but if all three came to pass, you’ll for sure see the Crimson Tide play for the title.
CFP implications if Alabama beats Georgia
If Alabama beats Georgia, they are for sure in the Playoff, and the only question would be if they are the No. 1 or No. 2 overall seed, and it’s likely they enter as No. 1.