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.

Oregon remained No. 1 in the penultimate Top 25, followed by No. 2 Texas, No. 3 Penn State, No. 4 Notre Dame and No. 5 Georgia.

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.