Reacting to Alabama's No. 3 College Football Playoff Ranking
The Crimson Tide jumped up two spots after beating LSU.
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer takes questions from ESPN reporter Katie George after a college football game between Mississippi State and Alabama at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss., on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. Alabama defeated Mississippi State 56-23. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Watch the above video to hear Alabama Crimson Tide on SI beat writer Theo Fernandez's reaction to Alabama's No. 3 College Football Playoff committee ranking.
Alabama football jumped up from No. 5 to No. 3 after beating LSU in Death Valley. The Crimson Tide's new ranking suggests that the team could potentially lose in the SEC Championship Game and still hang on to a top-four seed and first-round bye.
Kalen DeBoer's squad would be the second-highest-ranked two-loss team in College Football Playoff history if the season ended today. The only one higher, 2024 Georgia, was ranked No. 2 due to the playoff's rule that the top four teams all had to be conference champions.
1. Georgia (8-1)
2. Utah (9-0)
3. Alabama (7-2)
4. UCLA (9-0)
5. Notre Dame (8-1)
6. Texas (7-2)
7. Miami (8-1)
8. Tennessee (7-2)
9. Indiana (8-1)
10. BYU (7-2)
11. Kentucky (7-2)
12. Texas Tech (8-1)
13. Wake Forest (8-1)
14. Houston (7-2)
15. Iowa (7-2)
16. Oregon (6-3)
17. South Carolina (6-3)
18. USC (7-2)
19. Ole Miss (6-3)
20. Ohio State (6-3)
21. LSU (6-3)
22. Missouri (6-3)
23. Arizona (7-2)
24. Boise State (8-1)
25. Oklahoma State (6-3)
Hunter Yurachek, Arkansas athletic director (committee chair)
Troy Dannen, Nebraska athletic director
Mark Dantonio, former Michigan State, Cincinnati coach
Doug Gillin, Appalachian State athletic director
Mark Harlan, Utah athletic director
Ivan Maisel, former sports writer at SI, ESPN, other outlets
Gus Malzahn, former Auburn, UCF, Arkansas State coach
Chris Massaro, Middle Tennessee State athletic director
Randall McDaniel, former Arizona State All-American offensive lineman
Mike Riley, former Oregon State, Nebraska coach
Jeff Tedford, former Cal, Fresno State coach
Wesley Walls, former Mississippi All-American tight end
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