Essentially the only path that guarantees a playoff berth for Alabama is an SMU win, as College Football Playoff selection committee chair Warde Manuel explained: “Those who are not playing [in conference championship games], we will not adjust those teams.” Manuel told ESPN.

The Alabama Crimson Tide has had nearly everything go their way as the College Football Playoff bracket comes together. They may need just a little more help.

The penultimate College Football Playoff rankings altered the fates of some at-large teams and potential conference champions. Breaking down the winners and losers.