Alabama is In: Crimson Tide Earns Spot in 2023 College Football Playoff

For the eighth time, Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide are back in the College Football Playoff.

Alabama football is back in the College Football Playoff. 

After knocking off Georgia in the SEC Championship Saturday night, the CFP committee moved the Crimson Tide up four slots in the rankings to secure the final spot in the 2023 College Football Playoff at No. 4. 

Michigan, Washington and Texas rounded out the top four. Alabama (12-1) will face the No. 1 Wolverines (13-0) in the Rose Bowl semifinal on Monday, January 1, 2024 at 3 p.m., while No. 2 Washington (13-0) and No. 3 Texas (12-1) will square off in the Sugar Bowl. 

"We are excited to host a College Football Playoff Semifinal, which will also be the first-ever matchup of Michigan and Alabama in a Rose Bowl Game,” Pasadena Tournament of Roses President Alex Aghajanian said in a press release. “We are thrilled to welcome two storied football programs to Pasadena for The Granddaddy of Them All.”

Undefeated ACC Champion Florida State finished at No. 5 with Georgia at No. 6.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban told ESPN during the selection show that he didn't sleep well last night because of how many good teams were out there. 

"Florida State's certainly a good team and to go undefeated in their league, and it's unfortunate that some good team had to get left out, but I really think that our team earned the right to be here," Saban said.

College Football Playoff committee chairman Boo Corrigan said the discussion did center around Alabama and Florida State for the final spot, but Seminole quarterback Jordan Travis' injury played a major role.

"Florida State is a different team than they were the first 11 weeks," Corrigan said.

This is the eighth time Alabama has made the playoffs in 10 years, more than any other team. It also keeps the streak alive of the SEC Champion making the CFP every season. 

"I couldn't be prouder of a bunch of guys on a team that has come so far from where we were second, third game of the season," Saban said after his team's SEC Championship win. "I think this is a great example for a lot of people who want to be successful in terms of the perseverance that these guys showed, the character they had to overcome adversity, the resiliency that they played with."

Alabama has reeled off 11 straight wins after losing to Texas in the second game. The Crimson Tide has four wins over the CFP committee's final top-25 (Georgia, Ole Miss, LSU and Tennessee.)

Before this year, no team ranked below No. 6 in the penultimate rankings has made the College football Playoff. The Crimson Tide had been ranked No. 8 in each of the CFP rankings throughout the regular season. 

Final 2023 College Football Playoff Rankings

1. Michigan (13-0)

2. Washington (13-0)

3. Texas (12-1)

4. Alabama (12-1)

5. Florida State (13-0)

6. Georgia (12-1)

7. Ohio State (11-1)

8. Oregon (11-2)

9. Missouri (10-2)

10. Penn State (10-2)

11. Ole Miss (10-2)

12. Oklahoma (10-2)

13. LSU (9-3)

14. Arizona (9-3)

15. Louisville (10-3)

16. Notre Dame (9-3)

17. Iowa (10-3)

18. North Carolina State (9-3)

19. Oregon State (8-4)

20. Oklahoma State (9-4)

21. Tennessee (8-4)

22. Clemson (8-4)

23. Liberty (13-0)

24. SMU (11-2)

25. Kansas State (8-4)

This story will be updated. 

Where Was Alabama Ranked in the AP, Coaches Polls Leading Up to Final CFP Rankings?