The College Football Playoff committee’s No. 5 ranking for two-loss Alabama has reignited claims that the SEC gets preferential treatment. Former Florida State quarterback Danny Kanell says critics should brace for a campaign to put an 8-4 SEC team in this year’s playoff, while others argue his support for a 24-team format would make room for teams with even worse records.

By the Numbers
  • Alabama is ranked No. 5 with two losses, to Georgia and Tennessee.
  • Tennessee, which beat Alabama 26-10 on Oct. 17, is ranked No. 13; Texas is No. 7.
Yes, But

Kanell’s warning drew pushback from analysts who noted that a 24-team playoff—the expansion he has supported—could admit teams with even more losses. The exchange was partly serious and partly joking, underscoring how divisive playoff selection and SEC representation have become.

What's Next

The rankings debate is likely to continue through this postseason. A reported 24-team expansion could begin in 2027, potentially widening the field while intensifying arguments over which teams deserve a spot.

Bottom Line

Alabama’s high ranking has turned the SEC’s perceived playoff advantage into a flashpoint—and the bigger the playoff gets, the harder it may be to settle the debate over who belongs.