Where Was Alabama in First 2023-24 College Football Playoff Rankings?

The Crimson Tide, winners of six straight, hosts No. 14 LSU on Saturday night.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Who's in? Well, the Alabama Crimson Tide isn't, yet.

The College Football Playoff released its first rankings of 2023-24, and Alabama (7-1, 5-0 SEC) takes its place in the No. 8 spot. The Crimson Tide welcomes No. 14 LSU to Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday night with major implications in the SEC West and beyond.

Since losing to Texas on Sept. 9, Alabama has continued to climb in the polls, winning each of its last six games. Now, with the home stretch of the season coming up, the Crimson Tide likely controls its own destiny for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

For Alabama, the task is simple — win out. It won't be that simple, as the Crimson Tide still has the 14th-ranked Tigers (6-2, 4-1 SEC) and road trips to Kentucky and Auburn on the schedule. And then there's a potential SEC Championship Game as well.

Nevertheless, College Football Playoff Selection Committee chair Boo Corrigan said there was "a lot of discussion about where to put the 7-8-9 teams, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, which all have one loss. 

"A wonderful win by Oklahoma, last-second drive to win this game. When you factor in a two-loss Kansas team this past weekend, getting the win over Oklahoma, Kansas with the two losses to Texas and Oklahoma State, while they continue to improve and play better, body of work, if you will, looking at this, Texas over Alabama, winning there in Tuscaloosa, similar to Texas-Oklahoma but then add in the factor that Oklahoma lost that game to Kansas as well as a close game with UCF. But primarily the loss to Kansas [was the difference]."

College Football Playoff Top 25

1. Ohio State (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten)
2. Georgia (8-0, 5-0 SEC)
3. Michigan (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten)
4. Florida State (8-0, 6-0 ACC)
5. Washington (8-0, 5-0 PAC 12)
6. Oregon (7-1, 4-1 PAC 12)
7. Texas (7-1, 4-1 Big 12)
8. Alabama (7-1, 5-0 SEC)
9. Oklahoma (7-1, 4-1 Big 12)
10. Ole Miss (7-1, 4-1 SEC)
11. Penn State (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten)
12. Missouri (7-1, 3-1 SEC)
13. Louisville (7-1, 4-1 ACC)
14. LSU (6-2, 4-1 SEC)
15. Notre Dame (7-2)
16. Oregon State (6-2, 3-2 PAC 12)
17. Tennessee (6-2, 3-2 SEC)
18. Utah (6-2, 3-2 PAC 12)
19. UCLA (6-2, 3-2 PAC 12)
20. USC (7-2, 5-1 PAC 12)
21. Kansas (6-2, 3-2 Big 12)
22. Oklahoma State (6-2, 4-1 Big 12)
23. Kansas State (6-2, 4-1 Big 12)
24. Tulane (7-1, 4-0 AAC)
25. Air Force (8-0, 5-0 MWC)

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Sources: Alabama Football Looking to 'Get [Kendrick Law] the Ball the Best Way Possible'