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Entering this weekend, the College Football Playoff picture appeared pretty clear. If the top four teams, Georgia, Michigan, TCU and USC, all won their conference championship games, they would be in.
In fact, the Bulldogs and the Wolverines were all but locks regardless of what happened in their conference title games. But then things began to get crazy. It started with Utah’s blowout win over USC in the Pac-12 championship game. That appeared to open the door for a one-loss Ohio State team to sneak in the backdoor and grab the final spot.
It also gave the Horned Frogs a 95 percent chance of making the playoff according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. But just to be sure, TCU had to take care of Kansas State, whom they’d already beaten this year, to lock themselves in.
That didn’t happen.
A slow start, a controversial call, and a tense fourth-down decision in overtime led the Wildcats to a 31-28 victory. Now, the closeness of the game and USC losing should mean that the Horned Frogs are safe. But that’s no guarantee, and there’s one program, in particular, that’s waiting to pounce.
Fans Questions Whether Alabama Deserves The Final Spot In The College Football Playoff
That one program just so happens to be the most successful program of the 21st century, the Alabama Crimson Tide. Alabama went 10-2 in the regular season, missing out on the SEC West title to 9-3 LSU.
The Tide had little in the way of notable wins, but both of their losses came on the road in the last second to ranked teams (Tennesee and LSU).
That was apparently enough to impress one notable ESPN personality. While Dick Vitale normally plies his trade talking basketball, this time he’s taking it to the gridiron to stump for the Tide.
I am no expert but no one can convince me that @AlabamaFTBL isn’t better than these teams I have been watching despite 2 heartbreaking L’s .If rule is BEST 4 for playoffs BAMA should be in .Hey they didn’t get beat at home by 3 TD’s REWARD THE BEST / just watch @SEC football .
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) December 3, 2022
Vitale’s controversial take didn’t seem to sit well with a number of college football fans.
How can I explain so you get it, Mr. @DickieV…
This line of thinking is flat out crazy, baby! Bama may have the PTPers but if they don’t bring the W on the field, then they’re really just an all-potential team.
**I really wanted to use Diaper Dandy but it didn’t feel right https://t.co/pR3rIU8Zyp
— Adam Borland (@AJBorland) December 3, 2022
Stick to basketball, Dick. https://t.co/T2l74KoRKs
— I Prefer Louisiana Hot Sauce 🌶️💅🏼🐯💜⚡️🤍 (@JusBnMoi) December 3, 2022
Shut up and stick to basketball https://t.co/PA9TIRavp0
— LSU Football Fan (@GeauxTigers7189) December 3, 2022
Though some did agree with him.
A man with wisdom! https://t.co/qoXehAwrdK
— Era Prone (@EarlPayton6) December 3, 2022
Facts!💯 https://t.co/pMbj7ra01V
— LaMorris D Carr Sr (@bamaboi7474) December 3, 2022
Tell em coach!!! https://t.co/rmfzRyrRRJ
— ChampangeWayne (@CampagneWayne) December 3, 2022
Bama sneaking in would be a pretty big surprise given each team’s resume. But the CFP committee has done crazier things before.