The Alabama Crimson Tide enters the weekend with a challenging battle against fellow SEC powerhouse, Georgia, for the conference championship, which could also have playoff implications.
As of right now, No. 3 Alabama and No. 9 Georgia are both considered in the College Football Playoff bracket. Bracket projections list the Bulldogs as the No. 3 team and receiving a first-round bye. Meanwhile, Alabama is the No. 9 seed and would face the Oklahoma Sooners in the first round.
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However, a former Heisman winner believes everyone needs to pump the brakes when it comes to these teams’ playoff scenarios. Their huge matchup on Saturday comes with a big warning for Kalen DeBoer and company, courtesy of Desmond Howard.
Appearing on ESPN’s “First Take” earlier, the former Heisman Trophy winner at Michigan spoke with NFL star Cam Newton and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith. Asked about Alabama being in the playoffs, Howard provided significant reasons for the Crimson Tide to bring their top-tier game on Saturday.
“If they play a close game, then they’ll probably get the nod and be in the CFP,” Howard suggested, adding, “But if they get boatraced by Georgia, then there’s a strong chance they would get left out of CFP.”
He called the Crimson Tide’s loss to Florida earlier this season the “anchor” regarding their CFP picture, calling it a “huge loss” that has held them down.
“If they get boatraced tomorrow and that’s gonna be the last image that the selection committee has of this team, then I think when they go into the vote, then Alabama stands a chance of being left out of the playoff,” he said, reminding everyone it happened to their CFP hopes last season when they lost to a “really bad Oklahoma team.”
Smith mentioned that DeBoer’s 10-2 Alabama team already beat Georgia on the road this season and called it a “shame” if they don’t get into the CFP bracket. As of this report, the odds are only 2.5 points in the Bulldogs’ favor, suggesting it could be a close game, like the Tide would need to be in to get into the CFP.
The two teams meet for the conference championship Saturday at 4 p.m. Eastern Time, with a significant game for the underdogs, based on Howard’s warning.
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