SMU head coach says Tide and Mustangs should have made playoff

Alabama football was left out of the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff bracket over seven months ago and some people are still making the argument that the Crimson Tide should have been included in the 12-team field.

One of those voices making this argument is SMU’s football head coach Rhett Lashlee.

Lashlee and his Mustangs clinched the last spot over Alabama in the playoff despite falling to Clemson 57-54 in the ACC championship game in thrilling fashion as time expired. This result caused weeks of constant outcry and debate across college football, leaving many asking if the CFP selection committee was correct in their decision to leave the Tide out. 

Lashlee feels SMU and Alabama should’ve been included in the postseason.

Lashlee feels SMU and Alabama both should’ve been included in the postseason.

“Well, I felt like we deserved to be in but after we came up short 12 hours before in that ACC championship game with Clemson, I cannot say I felt great with the way it was shaping up to be either us or Alabama, which I’m not sure that’s the way it should’ve shaped up,” Lashlee said Tuesday in an interview with The Next Round. “I think maybe we both should’ve been in.”

Alabama football will have another chance to prove itself as a worthy postseason contender in the eyes of the College Football Playoff selection committee if it can successfully put together a strong regular-season resume under Kalen DeBoer in 2025.