Fans may not like Kirk Herbstreit's playoff outlook for No. 9 Alabama

Herbstreit explained how Alabama's situation is different than No. 11 BYU, which is currently the first team out after conference champions are factored in. The Cougars, who play No. 4 Texas Tech for a second time after getting blown out, 29-7, earlier this season, would presumably see their playoff hopes dashed with another loss, setting the stage for a potential head-to-head debate between No. 12 Miami and No. 10 Notre Dame for the final spot.

Either way you look at it, Alabama appears to be in a solid position, even with a loss. According to the Allstate Playoff Predictor, the Crimson Tide have a 93% chance to make the CFP with a loss to Georgia, so it appears any drama would come below them as the final spots are filled up over the weekend.

A season-opening loss to the Seminoles was shocking, considering Florida State finished 5-7 and looked like a shell of what it put out on the field in that game the rest of the season. However, the Crimson Tide won four games in four consecutive weeks over ranked opponents earlier this season, which all began with the road win in Athens.

If BYU happens to defeat Texas Tech, the Cougars would have a strong case to jump ahead of Alabama in the rankings, especially considering they would only have the one loss to the Red Raiders, and the Crimson Tide could potentially have three. Even if that takes place, though, you would think Alabama would get the nod over Notre Dame and Miami, given neither of them plays this weekend.

This will be the fifth meeting between the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide in the SEC title game, and Alabama has won the previous four. Since DeBoer joined Alabama ahead of the 2024 season, the Crimson Tide are 2-0 against Kirby Smart and Georgia, so the odds are in Alabama's favor even more.

Unless chaos completely takes over, it all adds up to another playoff appearance for Alabama, whether the Crimson Tide win or lose.