The No.9 Alabama Crimson Tide faced a tough 28-7 defeat in the SEC championship game against the No.3 Georgia Bulldogs, raising doubts about their chances of making it to the 12-team playoffs this season. Despite having three losses on their record, head coach Kalen DeBoer and his team are still considered favorites to qualify for the playoffs. However, this did not sit well with Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy.
Portnoy took to Twitter to criticize the College Football Playoff (CFP) selection committee for what he perceived as bias towards Alabama. He compared Alabama’s loss to Georgia with BYU’s loss to Texas Tech in the Big 12 championship game, questioning the committee’s criteria for selection.
Portnoy expressed his frustration, stating, “So remind me. It only counts when BYU gets blown out in the conference title game, but for Bama it doesn’t matter cause it’s an extra game for them? I think I got it now. Make it make sense.” He further added, “Just remember the crooked committee and crooked ESPN and crooked SEC moved Bama up just so when they got slaughtered and exposed they could keep them in.”
Alabama’s season under second-year coach Kalen DeBoer started with a 31-17 loss to Florida State but saw an impressive eight-game winning streak before falling to Oklahoma. Heading into the SEC Championship game with a 10-2 record, Portnoy suggested that both Alabama and BYU should be given spots in the playoffs despite their losses in the championship games.
DeBoer, in a postgame press conference, praised Georgia for their performance and congratulated coach Kirby Smart on the victory. He acknowledged the hard-fought nature of the game and expressed pride in his team’s season despite the loss. DeBoer also defended Alabama’s case for a playoff spot, emphasizing their consistent performance throughout the season.
The question now remains whether the selection committee will name Alabama as a playoff contender in their final decision on Sunday. The debate surrounding Alabama’s playoff chances continues, with fans and analysts eagerly awaiting the committee’s verdict.
In conclusion, the SEC championship game loss has sparked a heated discussion about Alabama’s playoff prospects, with Portnoy and DeBoer voicing their opinions on the matter. The final decision by the selection committee will determine whether Alabama secures a spot in the playoffs, adding to the anticipation and excitement surrounding college football’s postseason.
