Randy Smith
I don't actually remember a college football game being described as beautiful but Saturday's match up between 2nd-ranked LSU and 3rd-ranked Alabama comes as close as any game I've ever seen. I would imagine it was beautiful because I didn't have a dog in the fight and I simply watched the game as a fan. Oh, I might have pulled for LSU a bit because Coach Ed Orgeron deserves a shot at a national title and he is so emotional about the Bengal Tigers.
You really have to give the Crimson Tide credit for coming back and making a game of it in the second half.
They could have folded and played out the string but they chose to not give up and battled back to make the final score 46-41 when it could have been much worse. Now 'Bama fans are hoping their team can still make the playoffs by winning out. However, with only four teams chosen to make the College Football Playoffs, there are several reasons why Alabama may not make the post-season.
#1-Alabama has lost to the only ranked team they've played this season. Their extremely weak schedule will hurt them when the final four is selected.
#2-Ohio State will also be forced to win out also because of the Buckeyes' weak schedule and, if that happens, Alabama definitely will not be chosen. The same can be said for defending national champ Clemson if the Tigers slip up and lose a game down the stretch.
#3- Georgia gets back in the picture only if they can upset LSU in the SEC Championship Game. If that happens, the SEC will get a pair of teams in the playoffs but Alabama won't be one of them.
The first College Football Playoff Rankings will be announced on Tuesday night and I believe the first poll will feature LSU, Ohio State, Clemson and maybe even Alabama but it's likely the Tide won't be there at the end.
Still, forget about the playoffs and just remember back to Saturday in Tuscaloosa. It was a game unlike any other between those two SEC juggernauts - 87 points scored by two teams with traditionally great defenses. It was beautiful.
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Randy Smith can be reached at rsmithsports@epbfi.com