The University of Alabama Crimson Tide climbed to No. 10 in the third College Football Playoff rankingscollegefootballplayoff.com released on Monday, November 18, 2025, following a pivotal weekend that saw Oklahoma Sooners drop out of the top five. With an 8-2 record, Alabama now sits just outside the projected four-team playoff bracket but firmly within the expanded 12-team tournament field — a system that began in 2024. The win over Oklahoma’s unexpected loss was the subtle push Alabama needed, though the College Football Playoff Selection Committee made clear: it’s not about who lost — it’s about who you beat.
Where Alabama Stands in the New Landscape
Alabama’s climb to No. 10 wasn’t accidental. The Crimson Tide have faced one of the toughest schedules in the nation, including a hard-fought 24-17 loss to No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs in September and a surprising 21-19 defeat to unranked Mississippi State in October. But they’ve responded with five straight wins, including a 41-14 thrashing of Arkansas last Saturday. The committee didn’t just look at wins — they weighed strength of schedule, margin of victory, and road performance. Alabama’s win at Tennessee in October, a 27-24 thriller, carried weight.
They’re now one spot ahead of Notre Dame and Michigan, and just behind Oklahoma at No. 8. But here’s the twist: Oklahoma’s loss to Texas Tech — a 31-28 upset in Lubbock — dropped them from No. 6 to No. 8, and suddenly, Alabama’s path looked less like a dead end and more like a narrow corridor.
The SEC’s Dominance and the Committee’s Dilemma
The Southeastern Conference now controls five of the top 15 spots: Georgia (No. 4), Ole Miss (No. 6), Oregon (No. 7), Vanderbilt (No. 14), and Alabama (No. 10). That’s a problem for the committee — how do you justify putting three SEC teams ahead of a 10-0 Ohio State or an undefeated Indiana? The answer: conference championships matter. The committee believes the SEC’s depth gives its top teams a stronger resume, even if they’ve lost a game.
But Alabama’s case is different. They’re not the best one-loss team in the country — Texas A&M (No. 3) and Texas Tech (No. 5) are ahead of them. And BYU (No. 11) has a better win percentage than Alabama, but no power conference win to speak of. So why is Alabama higher? The committee cited “quality of opponent” and “late-season momentum.”
What’s Left on the Schedule
Two games remain. First, Alabama hosts Auburn on November 29 — the Iron Bowl. Then, they travel to Birmingham to face Arkansas in the regular-season finale on December 7. A win over Auburn would be massive. A win over Arkansas? Expected. But a loss to either? That’s a death sentence for their playoff hopes.
And here’s the brutal truth: even if Alabama wins both, they’ll likely still be behind Georgia, Ohio State, Indiana, and Texas A&M in the final rankings. That means they need one of those teams to stumble — and preferably in a conference championship.
History, Pressure, and the Shadow of Saban
Alabama football isn’t just a team — it’s a legacy. With 18 national titles, the Crimson Tide have spent most of the last 20 years in the playoff conversation. But since Nick Saban retired after the 2020 season, the program has struggled to find its footing. Enter Kalen DeBoer, the former Washington coach who took over in 2024. He inherited a roster of elite talent but a culture in transition. This season? It’s his first real test.
DeBoer’s offense has been electric — averaging 41.3 points per game. His defense? Still inconsistent. That’s why Alabama lost to unranked teams. That’s why they’re not top four. But if they win out? The committee can’t ignore the narrative. They’ve beaten six ranked opponents this year. That’s more than Michigan and Notre Dame. And they’re playing their best football now.
What Happens Next?
The final rankings drop on Sunday, December 7, 2025, right after the conference championships. If Alabama is still No. 10, they’ll host a first-round playoff game at Bryant-Denny Stadium on December 20. That’s a big deal — home-field advantage in the playoffs is rare for teams outside the top four. But if they fall to No. 12 or lower? They’ll be on the road, facing a team like BYU or Utah in a hostile environment.
For Alabama fans, it’s a familiar feeling: hope, frustration, and a single game standing between glory and heartbreak. But this time? The stakes feel different. Not because of history — but because this team has something to prove.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Alabama’s No. 10 ranking impact their chances of making the playoff?
Being ranked No. 10 keeps Alabama in the 12-team playoff field, but they’re outside the top four that earn a first-round bye. To advance, they must win both remaining games and hope at least one of the top four teams loses in their conference championship. Even then, they’ll need the committee to view their resume — six ranked wins, strong finish — as stronger than teams with fewer losses but weaker schedules.
Why is Alabama ranked ahead of Michigan and Notre Dame despite having two losses?
The committee prioritizes strength of schedule and quality wins over win-loss records alone. Alabama has beaten five teams currently ranked in the top 20, including a road win at Tennessee. Michigan and Notre Dame each have two losses, but their best wins came against lower-ranked opponents. Alabama’s schedule includes Georgia, Tennessee, and Arkansas — all of whom were ranked at the time of the game.
What role did Oklahoma’s loss play in Alabama’s rise?
Oklahoma’s 31-28 upset loss to Texas Tech dropped them from No. 6 to No. 8, creating a ripple effect. With Oklahoma’s resume weakened, Alabama — who also has an 8-2 record — gained relative ground. The committee didn’t reward Alabama for Oklahoma’s loss; they simply saw Alabama’s body of work as more compelling than Oklahoma’s after the defeat.
Can Alabama still make the final four?
It’s unlikely but not impossible. Alabama would need Georgia, Ohio State, Indiana, and Texas A&M to all lose in their conference championships — and then the committee would have to rank them ahead of a 10-1 team like Texas Tech or a 9-1 team like Oregon. The odds are slim, but in college football, chaos is always one Saturday away.
How does the 12-team format change the playoff landscape for traditional powers like Alabama?
The 12-team format rewards consistency over perfection. Teams like Alabama, with strong schedules and multiple quality wins, now have a realistic path even with one or two losses. It levels the playing field slightly, giving power conference teams with tough schedules a better shot — but it also means more teams are in the mix, making every game in November critical.
What’s the significance of Kalen DeBoer’s leadership in this season?
DeBoer took over after Nick Saban’s retirement and inherited a program in transition. His offensive system has transformed Alabama’s scoring — they’re averaging nearly 42 points per game. But his defense still has lapses. This season is his first true test as a head coach at the highest level. If Alabama makes the playoffs, it’ll be seen as his breakthrough. If they miss, questions will swirl about whether he can sustain Saban’s legacy.
