November brings Alabama football into the final stretch for a berth in the 12-team College Football Playoff.
The No. 11 Crimson Tide has their backs against the wall with road losses to Vanderbilt and Tennessee, each of which are currently ranked in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll. But Alabama seemingly has no room for error with four games against LSU, Mercer, Oklahoma and Auburn left on the regular-season schedule.
Alabama takes on LSU at 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday at Tiger Stadium on ABC.
Where will Alabama end up in the first CFP rankings release Tuesday night?
No. 11 Alabama at No. 6 Texas; Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Dec. 20 or 21
With wins against LSU, Mercer, Oklahoma and Auburn, Alabama should find itself in the 12-team CFP. The Crimson Tide will likely face a road game as one of the bottom four seeds.
Alabama could face an SEC gauntlet to start the CFP, facing Texas on the road for a quarterfinal date with No. 3 Georgia.
The first CFP rankings of 2024 will be released at 6 p.m., Nov. 5.
Here is the full CFP rankings release schedule. All times are in Central Time.
The first CFP Rankings show will air on ESPN Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 6 p.m.
The College Football Playoff rankings show will be shown on ESPN at 6 p.m. CT Tuesday. The show will be available to stream on platforms such as Fubo, which offers a free trial.
At the end of the 2024 regular season, 12 teams will make the College Football Playoff.
The first four teams — the four highest-ranked conference champions — will earn a first-round bye. Teams ranked No. 5-8 will host teams ranked 9-12 in the first round and for a spot in the CFP quarterfinal.
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Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him atcgay@gannett.com or follow him@_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.